By: CAYLA RUPERT
Staff Writer
@caylarup
IU South Bend’s Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics has announced a complete renovation of its award winning MBA program.
The new slogan, “Go FAR with a Leighton MBA from IU South Bend. Flexible. Active. Relevant,” gives applicants an idea of what the new MBA program will strive to give students.
The Leighton MBA program has been redesigned to be shorter, faster and better than ever before. Although this is the first major change for the program since its start, Leighton School of Business and Economics hopes the outcome will be successful.
“[There have been] slight changes before, [but] this is the first major redesign,” said Tracy White, Academic Advisor and Assistant Director of Graduate Business Program. “[The changes] remain to be seen.”
The MBA program strives to have the same superior quality that it had in the past, but hopes to add a few convenient changes to better the program. The changes include more flexibility inside and outside the classroom.
“The Leighton School redesigned MBA program will be delivered in a hybrid format – 50 percent in-class and 50 percent on-line – reducing the time students need to be on campus,” said White. “Two eight-week modules per semester make it possible to accomplish much more in a short time.”
Students will be learning from highly trained faculty and will be provided real-life business projects so they are able to connect what they learn in the classroom to real-life business situations.
According to the Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics website (www.iusb.edu/buse/graduate-program), students will complete a capstone project which would allow them to apply concepts learned in the classroom to their major area of interest. They intend the projects to be experiential in nature, connecting their students with the business community.
“The addition of courses in communication skills and team management will address two significant challenges faced by leaders and managers,” said White.
An admission to the Leighton MBA program requires applicants to provide a list of documents and test scores. Applicants must provide a completed application, personal statement and resume, along with official transcripts from all institutions attended, contact information for two recommendations, Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score, as well as an application fee.
“GMAT test waivers may be granted to applicants who meet one of the following criteria: significant executive work history with career progression, 3.4 undergraduate GPA and 4 years full-time work experience,” said White. “A Master’s degree from an accredited US institution or an earned terminal degree in a field of study also make an applicant eligible for a waiver.”
The deadlines to complete applications are coming up quickly – July 1 for fall semester, November 1 for spring semester and April 1 for summer semester. According to the Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics website, applicant candidates may enter the program at the beginning of any regular semester.
