Master of Business Administration

Paige Wassel,

Senior Writer

Twenty-one students will begin classes in Milligan's new Master of Business Administration (MBA) program on Feb. 13. The program received accreditation approval in December.

At their meeting on Dec. 8, the Commission on College of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) approved the college's substantive change request for the program.

"It's confirmation that they believe we have a quality program," said Bill Greer, director of the MBA program and Kegley Associate Professor of Economics and Business.

Greer said that an MBA degree allows a person to be more marketable, have a broad base of business knowledge, fosters managerial skills and teaches people to look more strategically at business and the external environment of business.

Milligan's program also focuses on the ethics of business, reinforcing the college's mission, Greer said.

"Our focus is on combining the functional area of business with making business decisions from an ethical perspective--conveying that belief that you can be a Christian in the workplace," Greer said.

Students attend classes at Milligan roughly one weekend per month with approximately five weeks of ongoing discussion between sessions that are facilitated by "Internet based resources," according to Milligan's MBA Web page.

Individuals enrolling in the program must have a minimum of three years experience in the workplace, which Greer said is common to a program of this nature where practical input is wanted.

"An MBA gains part of its value from the contributions and input of its students," Greer said.