MBA program competitive
Oklahoma Christian University’s seven-year-old Master of Business Administration program remains current and competitive in the higher education arena with the addition of more flexible schedules and Internet classrooms.
After seven years, the MBA program expects its 1,000th graduate to walk the stage of Hardeman Auditorium in December, a testament to the adaptability and appeal of Oklahoma Christian’s postgraduate studies in the modern age.
When Ken Johnson, director of graduate business studies, receives complaints and concerns from MBA students, he does his best to accommodate their changing needs. When students expressed desire for more flexible course plans, new options became available.
“The program used to be one year, in and out, but some people wanted to slow down and do it in two,” Johnson said. “A lot of people jumped on that wagon because, in my opinion, they are either reluctant to go into debt or they no longer feel the need to rush through because jobs aren’t ready and waiting like they used to be.”
Last year, the Higher Learning Commission approved Oklahoma Christian’s plan to offer an electronic alternative to the traditional classroom lectures offered. This year, students in need of extra flexibility can opt to complete their degree entirely online.
“We have expanded our online to include all of our core and prerequisite courses and by this summer, will hopefully be able to offer electives as well,” Johnson said.
Despite the initial appeal and convenience of being an online student, Johnson is not blind to the inevitable toll it can take on all parties involved.
“It takes a tremendous amount of skill and hard work to take, as well as teach, an online course because you are basically ‘on’ all the time,” Johnson said. “The students’ expectation is that their professor is always available to respond immediately to emails.”
For those partial to the physical classroom, renovation plans for Enterprise Square will satisfy learning needs in an updated fashion and provide graduate students with their own designated space on campus.
“There were 14 classrooms on the last rendering that I saw,” Johnson said. “More funds need to be raised, but we look forward to occupying that space as the crown jewel on campus.”
Oklahoma Christian’s MBA program currently competes with Oklahoma City University, Southern Nazarene University and they University of Central Oklahoma, primarily due to finances, but Johnson is not discouraged and believes the difference is more than just price.
“We compete extremely well among other schools because we provide things they don’t: service, value, flexible schedules and a nurturing environment,” Johnson said. “The curriculum is practical and applicable right now. As corny as it sounds, I have had students say that they value the program because what they learn on Monday, they use at work on Tuesday.”
Every graduating class completes a standard exit survey upon graduation and the results reveal students appreciate the overall worth of the program as well.
“Every year, the number one strength listed is the professors,” Johnson said. “Number two is the curriculum and number three is the service the MBA staff provides. We cut through administrative red tape so they can just be students.”
Oklahoma Christian graduate Brock Lytton recently joined the MBA staff as the new admissions counselor, and although not currently enrolled in the program himself, he appreciates its dedication to be the best.
“There are 12 or 13 MBA programs in the OKC metro alone, but one of the things that distinguishes us is the real world application that our professors provide,” Lytton said. “I honestly do not believe there is a graduate school staff in the area that is as student-oriented as ours. We really try hard to get to know our students on a personal level because we want to make them feel comfortable and assure them that they made the right decision in choosing our program.”
Junior Conner Williams feels the pressure of the competitive job market he will soon enter into and is planning ahead for his future by researching master’s programs in the area.
“I believe that getting a degree doesn’t carry as much weight today as it has in the past,” Williams said. “By getting my MBA, I will stand out to potential employers when I begin looking for a job.”
Williams places Oklahoma Christian at the top of his list because of his positive experience as an undergraduate and the potential to continue playing baseball for the university.
“I am considering OC in particular because it is what I am most comfortable with,” Williams said. “I am familiar with quite a few of the professors that teach in the program and think it would be the best fit for me. Also, I was redshirted my freshman year and this would allow me to play baseball that fifth year.”
Johnson sees the value in earning a master’s degree based on his own personal experience as a UCO master’s graduate. He encourages all who pass through his office to join the program because he believes it opens unexpected doors like nothing else can.
“The program is rigorous, intended to stretch a person’s mind, time and energy, but it is doable and extremely beneficial,” Johnson said.
