Dr. Jeannie Trudel, Dean of the School of Business at Southern Wesleyan University was kind enough to tell us about their excellent program.
Southern Wesleyan University offers MBA students the choice of a fully online program or an on-site program. The MBA program is offered in a convenient format that meets the needs of busy professionals with work and personal commitments. Each course is completed in six weeks, one at a time. This allows students to concentrate their efforts and time on achieving their learning goals for each course.
Dr. Jeannie Trudel, Dean of the School of Business at Southern Wesleyan University
The program is based on a cohort model to enable collaborative and constructive learning. The integrated approach in this program combines theoretical concepts with real-life application, along with spiritual development.
What kind of student typically enrolls in the online MBA program at Southern Wesleyan University?
Our MBA students are generally working professionals engaged in the workplace with varying job responsibilities and seeking to advance in their careers or pursuing new opportunities. Their average age is between 35 and 36.
Is there a requirement to spend any time on the physical campus? Or is the degree entirely online?
Students can either attend completely online or choose a program at one of our five learning centers in Central, Greenville, Columbia, North Augusta and Charleston. The online MBA students do not have to be physically present at any of our learning centers or main campus. The program is based on a cohort model with a prescribed sequence, making it easy for students to start and finish the program on a known timeline.
How accessible are faculty? How do online MBA students best communicate with faculty?
Faculty members are easily accessible through email, online forums and by telephone. Email through our learning management system is also available to all students and faculty. Faculty members are committed to respond in a timely manner. The faculty is also actively engaged online with the students throughout each week of the course. Faculty will pray with and for the students.
Is there an area of concentration that is most popular or the program is best known for?
The Southern Wesleyan University MBA program is focused on developing students’ management and decision-making skills. Also, we are developing a new Health Care Administration concentration.
What kinds of opportunities exist for peer-to-peer networking?
Students develop online communities within their cohorts. This enables them to network informally. Other networking opportunities are available via our Alumni services.
Is there a career services department or other professional resource for online MBA degree candidates?
We have a career services department that online and on-site students access for job searches, resume building and other career-related resources.
What kind of support does the university offer alumni in your program?
These alumni would receive the same support as others in the form of career services, free professional e-journals, social media contacts, national leadership board and other networking events.
Any further words of advice for a potential online MBA student at Southern Wesleyan University?
The program offers a fast-paced curriculum allowing concentrated study in each course. Students need to be motivated, self-driven, have good time management skills and be comfortable with the use of technology. Successful completion of the courses will require time and effort. www.swu.edu
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