The Villanova School of Business has announced that it will offer a new MBA program online beginning in the fall of 2014. The program will consist of 21 courses that students will take over six semesters. Each semester is fourteen weeks long. Online students will be required to participate in a week long international business program, and a three day leadership program on Villanova’s campus.
Patrick G. Maggitti, the Helen and William O’Toole Dean of the Villanova School of Business, explained Villanova’s choice to offer an online MBA program: “Innovation in technology is changing the face of the business world. The online MBA and MSA degrees that we now offer will enable us to deliver our high quality, top-ranked programs in a cutting-edge, convenient format.”
The online MBA will have the same degree requirements as the part-time MBA programs at Villanova. The degree will take at least two years to complete, and will require 48 credits from the business school. Online students will be taught the same course material that students learn on Villanova’s campus, and the online classes will be taught by the same professors.
Villanova also plans to offer campus benefits to online students. Online students will be able to attend campus events, receive help from support staff at Villanova, and become part of Villanova’s broader community and alumni network.
Villanova School of Business is offering an online degree to take advantage of new learning technologies. The development of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) has helped fuel new developments in technology for online learning. MOOCs have also encouraged business schools to consider the potential that online learning offers their institution. Dean Patrick G. Maggitti told Businessweek: “Knowing which way things are going to pivot is a challenge. I think it’s a smart strategy to be looking at options in this market.”
For more information about the new program, visit Villanova’s website.