Reading, PA (PRWEB) September 11, 2014
Alvernia University has just shortened the path to an MBA. By reducing the number of electives from two courses to one, and eliminating one required course, it’s now possible to earn an MBA in one year.
The business professors at Alvernia compared their curriculum to other MBA programs that share their accreditation with the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). That analysis prompted them to make the Quantitative Methods course an elective, rather than a requirement. In addition, they reduced the number of electives to align with ACBSP guidelines.
“In order to graduate, Alvernia MBA students are required to take Managerial Economics and Management Finance plus one accounting course," said Dr. Scott Ballantyne, PRSBA, chair of the business department at Alvernia University. “These courses enable the student to develop the necessary analytical capability so it’s not necessary for the students to take that additional course.”
The Quantitative Methods course will still be offered as an elective. If a student completed the required business courses (accounting, management and marketing and economics and finance) as an undergraduate, it takes 30 credits to complete the MBA program. For those students who need these three business courses, the MBA requirement is 39 credits.
Last year, Alvernia switched from a 16-week semester format to a modular format. With a modular format, MBA classes meet once a week in a condensed eight-week timeframe. This lets students concentrate on one subject. After that class ends, the student can enroll in another eight-week class and then earn a total of six credits for one semester.
Alvernia’s MBA program is also designed so students can move between the online and on-campus classes with ease. The MBA courses rotate between online and on-campus so students do not have to wait a few semesters to take a class they need.
“The recent changes reflect Alvernia's commitment to maintaining student success through appropriate coursework at a competitive price. These curricular and delivery adjustments allow students greater flexibility in completing their academic program," adds Dr. Ballantyne.
Specific questions regarding the MBA program will be answered at the information session on October 8. This event takes place from 6p.m. to 7p.m. in the Alvernia Student Center, Private Dining Room, on Main Campus.
About Alvernia University’s Business Programs
Alvernia offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business with concentrations in accounting, human resource management, marketing, management and sport management. On the graduate level, the university is known as a leading provider of traditional and online MBA in Reading and the surrounding communities in Pottsville, Harrisburg, Allentown, Lancaster, Kutztown and Philadelphia. Both undergraduate and graduate programs are accredited by ACBSP.