DeGroote Business Looks Back on Successful 2017, and its Future
The MBA program at the McMaster University DeGroote School of Business is changing the game for prospective MBAs in Canada, offering a valuable return on investment, strong network of partners and alumni, and diverse student body.
Since 2010, the school’s full-time and co-op MBA programs have been based at McMaster’s Ron Joyce Center, transforming into a top-rate business education at one of the highest-ranked universities on the planet. In fact, the 2017 Academic Ranking of World Universities named McMaster the 66th best university in the world. Today, the Ron Joyce Center is not just home to DeGroote’s MBA program but also to the school’s Health Leadership Academy (HLA), Executive MBA in Digital Transformation (EMBA), and Digital Transformation Research Centre.
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DeGroote’s MBA program took another step forward just last year, when university staff and faculty took a deep look into best practices throughout North America to reform the MBA into an even more comprehensive business education. Inspired by insights from students, alumni and faculty, the program integrated features such as cohort classes, case studies, and a series of foundation weeks at the start of the program. “The foundation weeks, in particular, introduce critical business skills and principles to new students at the outset of the program,” commented Will Weisner, Director of the MBA program at DeGroote. “As a result, students begin their MBA journey with the foundation to succeed in the classroom, at their co-op jos, and in their leadership and networking activities.”
The numbers don’t lie when it comes to return on investment: something we’ve previously noted in our highlight of the most valuable Toronto MBA programs. In 2016, 102 students graduated from the co-op stream, earning an average of $71,930 after joining the workforce. For the 84 students graduating from the full-time MBA, the average salary $60,125.
There’s more exciting developments for the DeGroote MBA in 2018 as well. Currently, the school is reviewing proposal for a part-time blended MBA that would offer a blended learning experience combining both online and in-residence components. You can read more about whats in store at DeGroote here.
Introducing DeGroote’s 1st EMBA in Digital Transformation Class Grads
The first cohort of Executive MBA students at the McMaster University DeGroote School of Business just wrapped up their graduation, ready to take on the business world with their unique education in Digital Transformation.
Just over a year ago, the DeGroote School of Business launched a new Executive MBA in Digital Transformation, enrolling twenty new students that came to the program already as top players in their fields. The new class had an average of 12 years of professional experience and were an average age of 42. Almost a quarter of the students are international, and have traveled to places like Finland, Hong Kong, and India.
The EMBA in Digital Transformation at DeGroote is a 13-month long program centered around four residential modules in both Silicon Valley, California, and Southern Ontario. The world’s first EMBA focused on the management of digital systems, the program boasts corporate partnerships with CIBC, IBM, SAS, and other top brands.
“DeGroote’s EMBA has equipped me with the right skills and competencies to be able to build a business proposal for a new innovation, and bring forth an idea to executive decision-makers, including board members,” commented EMBA graduate Mỹ Dang, a specialist with more than a decade’s experience in regulatory affairs who currently works with the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim.
When asked about why she decided to join the program, Dang told the school:
“I heard about the program when I was looking for a healthcare-focused institution that offered design-thinking and innovation as part of their curriculum. The EMBA also carried the McMaster brand, which is renowned for its leadership in the healthcare space. I am a patient advocate and very passionate about the healthcare sector, which is in dire need of innovation. The EMBA program focused on the exact needs of the healthcare industry, which include leveraging digital platforms and data analytics, as well as integrating design-thinking methodologies, while emphasizing bringing innovation to the forefront. There is much work to be done in healthcare so patients can have better experiences. Current practices were never built from the perspective of patients, and this is becoming increasingly unacceptable. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry has been undergoing significant transformation in the last few years. We are behind, when compared to other business sectors in this digital revolution era. This industry needs individuals equipped to meet the changing times.”
You can read the rest of Dang’s interview and find more information about the DeGroote EMBA program here.
Finding The Best Toronto Accelerated MBA Programs
One-Year or Accelerated MBA programs give students the opportunity to gain the strong business foundation of an MBA education in half the time as a traditional MBA. Students in accelerated MBA programs can also reduce the overall cost of their degree while also minimizing the amount of time spent without earning a full-time income.
Last summer, we took a look at some of the city’s best accelerated program offerings. However, we have updated our overview, including more of our favorite Toronto school’s with uniquely exciting accelerated programs.
The Toronto Accelerated MBA Programs You Need To Know
Schulich School of Business – York University
The Accelerated MBA at York University’s Schulich School of Business gives students the chance to dive straight into the second year of their degree program. With the option to pursue the degree either full or part-time, students can complete the Schulich MBA in as little as eight months. The program is reserved for students who have completed either a BBA or BCom degree in Canada within the past ten years that is similar in structure to the BBA at Schulich, but students without this requirement may still be eligible for some form of accelerated degree.
DeGroote School of Business – McMaster University
The Accelerated MBA at the McMaster University DeGroote School of Business can be completed in as little as eight months if pursued on a full-time basis. Students in the accelerated program are exempt from first year MBA courses and will only pay half the tuition of the two-year program. The accelerated program is designed for students who earned an undergraduate business degree in the last ten years, maintained at least a B average in the final two years of their undergraduate degree, and have at least one year of professional work experience.
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Ivey Business School – Western University Canada
The One-Year accelerated MBA program at the Ivey Business School at Western University Canada is designed for ambitious students who want to further develop their leadership ability and accelerate their career. The Ivey MBA gives students real-world experiences through global learning opportunities and projects that provide hands-on business practice. The Ivey curriculum is centered around a unique case study method, which uses over 300 cases each year to allow students to practice real business challenges.
Rotman School of Management – University of Toronto
For advanced business school students with more professional experience, the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto offers a uniquely inviting One-Year Executive MBA; perfect for upper level managers looking to further develop their skills in management, decision-making and leadership. Within 13 months, the EMBA will provide students with hands-on leadership experience designed to change the way MBAs approach business and make decisions. The degree is also designed work around a student’s career, providing the opportunity for students to constantly be applying their education outside of the classroom.
Ted Rogers School of Management – Ryerson University
At Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management, students can select from a number of different formats in which to pursue their MBA. Students with a BBA, BCom or equivalent degree and at least two years of North American work experience have the option to earn their MBA in just 12 months. The Ted Rogers MBA program is centered around experiential learning, with events like Integrative Week/Weekend, allowing student work to be critiqued by industry professionals. Students will also be required to complete their final semester centered around real-world application of theory and analysis learned in the classroom through a capstone project and internship.
DeGroote School Talks 3 Trends in Sports Management
Recently, the sports management MBA has started to become more and more popular. Not only is it a growing industry, but it is also a unique subset that fascinates many MBAs. The DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University understands this growing fascination and recently moderated a lively panel at Toronto’s Real Sports Bar & Grill to talk about the top three trends in Sports Management. The results were shared on the DeGroote Blog. Continue reading…
DeGroote Offers New Program For Small Business Owners
Are you a small business owner? Do you want to be? DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University has a new program just for you. Beyond the Basics for Small Business is a four-session course starting in March 2016. It’s specially designed for family-owned and closely-held companies and helps you get beyond the basics of your B2B or B2C small or medium-sized business. Continue reading…
