‘Versatile’ program can open more doors

The Master of Business Administration program at Southern Oregon University is looking for working professionals and students from all academic areas for their upcoming year.

The MBA program is offered in two formats designed to meet the needs of busy working professionals.

The full-time arrangement offers classes weekday evenings during fall, winter, spring and summer terms at the Ashland campus, allowing students the opportunity to finish in one year.

The part-time option offered by the program allows for students to take classes on Saturdays at the RCC/SOU-Higher Education Center in Medford.

Students taking the Saturday, cohort-option would complete the program in 18–21 months, taking courses consecutively for 6–7 terms.

The MBA full-time program meets all visa requirements allowing international students the opportunity to receive an MBA at SOU and not give up their weekends, as is the case with the part-time program.

“An MBA is very versatile and you can do pretty much anything with it,” said Ixel Sanchez, a student currently enrolled in the program who graduated from SOU with a Psychology degree last year.

Sanchez contends that receiving an MBA enhances the marketability of the student as a professional and gives them the skills needed to manage a business.

“Now is the best time to stay in school,” Sanchez added. “Nobody is really hiring, and those who are, prefer candidates with masters degrees; and an MBA is considered prestigious everywhere.”

At SOU, the program is set up in a cohort method, which allows students the opportunity to bond with their peers and graduate with the same group of people that entered the program together.

According to Sanchez, “this gives them the opportunity to get to know each other and work as a team, much like in the real business environment.”

Students who wish to apply must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above in the final 90 quarter hours towards their baccalaureate degree or submit a Graduate Management Admissions Test score of 500 or above, which must be taken within the last five years.

Non-residents and residents of Oregon within the MBA program at SOU can expect to pay roughly $2,075 per term if enrolled in the part-time Saturday program, which consists of between two and three classes per term.

For Sanchez, the program has been an enlightening one and well worth the cost.

“The MBA program has been a life-changing experience,” she said.

“The lessons I’ve learned from my professors and classmates have been very valuable in broadening my view of the fast-changing business world.”

Adding, “Also, being part of the MBA Association has given the opportunity to enhance my leadership skills and build a network in the community.