The University of Delaware’s Lerner College of Business and Economics announced that its recently launched online MBA program has proven popular with UD students.
Lerner’s fully online MBA, an AACSB-accredited program that can be completed in as little as sixteen months, enrolled its first cohort of 40 students in May 2013. Students weighed in on the offering, praising the rigor of the courses they’d completed this term and expressing appreciation of the convenience and flexibility inherent in the online format. Denise Waters, Assistant Director of Graduate Recruitment, emphasized the cost effectiveness of the Lerner online MBA as compared to other accredited programs, further enhanced by the availability of affiliate partner and Dean Merit scholarships, both awarding $5,000 to eligible students.
Mirroring Lerner’s on-campus, part-time program, the online program was created to cater to professionals who travel frequently for work, members of the U.S. military, individuals with demanding family commitments, and others who are unable or would prefer not to travel to campus as regularly as students in a traditional MBA program. Courses consist of multimedia micro-lectures, readings, case studies, and participation in online discussions, as well as experiential learning through simulation exercises. All courses are taught by doctoral-level UD faculty, and involve both individual and team projects and assignments. Students also receive personalized career coaching and attention from faculty throughout enrollment.
Lerner College Deputy Dean Rick Andrews described this new degree offering as a response to the changing landscape of higher education and the influence of technology on students’ learning styles. Indeed, the successful launch of this program suggests that students value the opportunity to advance their education and careers simultaneously in the most flexible format available.
