First Online MBA Cohort Begins at Smith
New students of the Online MBA program at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business began their semesters on January 8 and congregated on campus for their residency program. This is the first cohort of the new Smith Online MBA program—a program offering the same academic course load and faculty insight as traditional programs, but with the added flexibility and convenience of online learning.
“The initial response to our new Smith Online MBA program has been tremendous,” said Gary Cohen, interim assistant dean of executive programs. “I’m already impressed with the inspired ideas our students are bringing to our discussions. Our online program will open the ‘MBA’ door to many highly qualified candidates who may not have been able to be part of our traditional on-the-ground MBA programs, given their professional and/or personal circumstances.”
Students complete most of their 21-month program online and in their own time—virtual classes are logged into at specific times twice per week—but spend two in-person residencies at College Park at the beginning and end of the program. During the two-credit opening residency program, students attend skill workshops, started foundation courses, participated in team-building exercises, and them put their new skills to the test in an action learning project. The ALP grouped students into teams and challenged them to design a new-concept watch by leveraging cutting-edge technologies.
The Smith Online MBA program will take in four cohorts each year. This inaugual cohort consists of 19 students from all across the country. Of these first 19, 11 are men and 8 are women, with an average age is 31 and an average of nine years work experience in industries ranging from defense and military to advertising and health care. Students can select an MBA specialization (accounting, finance, information systems and analytics, or marketing) or choose the general track.
For more information about the Smith Online MBA program visit, onlinemba.umd.edu.
