News Releases

MBA full-time program enrollment significantly higher in 2009

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

BY LAURA WOLFE

The Masters of Business Administration full-time enrollment for the 2009-2010 academic year has increased more than 45% compared to the 2008-2009 enrollment. This year, there are sixty-four first-year MBA students enrolled in the full-time program, compared with just forty-four enrolled last year.

The increased number of applications to graduate business programs across the country has largely been attributed to the recent economic recession. According to Professor Chuck Krider, MBA Academic Director, the economic recession is only one of the contributing factors in the increased enrollment for the School of Business MBA program. "Increasingly, students are interested in the type of MBA program we have," Krider said. "There are many opportunities, such as experiential learning and international experiences, that attract students to the KU MBA program."

"I had planned to go back to school part-time to get my MBA, but when the economy took a downturn, I took the opportunity to go back full-time," said Lisa Waters, first-year MBA student from Topeka, Kansas. "My decision to go to KU was about getting the tools I need to further my career. KU's reputation, alumni network, and study abroad programs were deciding factors for me."

Krider says that most people who enroll in a full-time MBA program are looking to change careers, rather than advance in their current field. Of the 64 enrolled this fall, nineteen received their undergraduate degrees from the University of Kansas, six of which are KU School of Business graduates.

"As for me, my new business is my MBA. It is an investment I am making in myself," said Clint Jones, first-year MBA student from Roeland Park, Kansas. "Although I found great value and gained valuable experience working for an entrepreneur, I want to be one. To do that, I knew I needed my MBA. When selecting schools I looked at a number of criteria and, ultimately, KU stood out due to their strong entrepreneurial focus and generous scholarship opportunities."

The full-time MBA program consists of 27 hours of core credit classes and additional hours devoted to concentration study. MBA students have the option of concentrating in one of the following areas: Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, Human Resources Management, Information Systems, International Business, Management, Marketing, and Strategic Management.