The College of Charleston School of Business’ one-year MBA program grows in size and strength every year, and will welcome its largest class ever today. The Class of 2014 has 42 incoming students, a 24-percent increase in enrollment over the Class of 2013.
Of the 42 students, six are coming from China, Germany, Russia, Vietnam, and Italy. Collectively, the class has an average GMAT above 600.
The MBA program, beginning its fourth year, is continually adjusted based on opportunities in the business world. In 2012, a third concentration in hospitality revenue management was added, so students can now focus their studies on finance, marketing, or hospitality revenue management.
This year’s entering students will arrive having completed three on-line business foundation courses developed by Harvard and used by a number of preeminent business schools throughout the world.
“One of the most exciting aspects of our program is to see the progression of relatively young, bright candidates with various academic degrees in business, liberal arts, engineering, and sciences into determined professionals who will make big impacts on whatever organization or company that is lucky to recruit them,” says James T. Kindley, director of the MBA program who teaches the creativity & innovation and strategy courses.
The one-year MBA can be completed twice as fast as traditional programs, and enables students to continue building their careers faster. The intense program centers on collaborative learning with peers and global perspectives. Each year, the MBA cohort travels abroad to study foreign markets and cultures. Past travel experiences have included Vietnam, China, and Dubai. In 2014, the students will study in Brazil.
With a dedicated director for professional development and employer relations, MBA graduates also have personalized access to career placement.
Approximately 75-percent of the students are paired with a senior-level executive mentor who helps to guide the mentees in their career aspirations by helping them navigate industries, corporate contacts, and organization structures. In many instances, the mentors are also paving the way for job placements for the new MBA graduates. Micah Mallace ’11 talks about his mentor.
“These additions strengthen and build on our pragmatic, student-focused program,” says Kindley. We want every one of our MBA graduates to enter and succeed in a satisfying career. The professional development and mentors help them in that regard.”
The School of Business will begin accepting applications for the MBA Class of 2014 in October 2013 at mbacharleston.com.
