1. MBA Programs: Are they for you?

2. Purpose of an MBA Provide skills to take careers to the next level Prepare technical undergraduates for a career in management –25% are engineers Prepare functional managers for general management or new direction

3. MBA Value Proposition Develop hard and soft business skills –Economics, finance, marketing, etc. –Teamwork, communication Access to a network of faculty and students –Job search and career tracks –Business networking for financing, purchasing, etc. Recognized brand that signifies management education Salary increase ~ $20,000 18% ROI

4. A Popular Degree

5. When? Traditional Programs –Minimum 3-5 years experience –Students major contributors Early Leaders –Direct from undergraduate program –High potential based on grades

6. What Type of Program? Full vs. Part Time EMBA Specialized vs. General Quantitative vs. Qualitative International focus –Thunderbird –University of South Carolina –Monterey Institute of International Studies

7. Program Format First year core –Functional course work Summer internship Second year specialized coursework

8. Program Format: First Year

9. Admission Process Take the GMAT –4 hour exam –Computer adaptive test –Can’t go back to check work GPA Experience including internships and summer work

10. Researching an MBA Program Accredited? –AACSB; 393 accredited programs Rankings –Business Week, US News, Financial Times –Helps to understand typical student profile –Provides information on job placement Websites: mbazone.com