The Franklin Pierce University institutional mission focuses on preparing citizens and leaders of conscience for a new century who make significant contributions to their professions and communities, whether their aspirations are local or global. To accommodate the busy working adult, the online MBA degree offers students a tremendous amount of flexibility. Classes are available in multiple formats for maximum flexibility and this degree can be completed 100% online. We spoke with Edward French, MBA, DA,to gain his insight into the online MBA at Franklin Pierce University.
Franklin Pierce University, Interim Associate Dean and Academic Director-Business Programs/CGPS
What type of student typically enrolls in your online MBA program?
While there is a great range of students enrolling in our program, the preponderance of students are older, with work experience, looking for promotion within the ranks of management or perhaps promotion to management.
How do students in the online MBA program interact with faculty?
There are many and varied ways that students interact with faculty. Our program is primarily asynchronous, however, many of our classes have a synchronous component as additional option for students. Web conferencing software or Skype is used to conduct synchronous classroom activities such as case discussion or working on quantitative problems. Instructor office hours are conducted virtually with students able to contact instructors by email, phone, Skype and other methods to ask questions and seek out assistance.
All students are assigned a full-time faculty academic advisor. The advisor will communicate with the student in ways that are most effective for the student. Supporting the advisors, the College of Graduate and Professional Studies/FPU has a Director of Student Success who is available to students needing other services.
Is there a concentration your online MBA is known for?
The FPU MBA program has earned business program accreditation through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), a CHEA recognized program accreditor. Each of our six concentration tracks (Leadership, Human Resource Management, Health Administration, Information Technology, Sports Management and Energy and Sustainable Studies) are notable in that they provide industry concentration typical in an Master of Science degree while providing the general quantitative and qualitative course work of an MBA which is critical to preparing successful business leaders.
- The MBA in Energy and Sustainability Studies was recently ranked #6 in the nation for online sustainable MBA degrees by TheBestSchools.org
- The MBA in Human Resource Management curriculum has been approved by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) as meeting critical competencies for human resource professionals.
What opportunities do online MBA students have for networking?
Students are encouraged to and often create great networks among their peers in the program. Our program is not cohort based so students are exposed to a varied mix of other students at different stages of their professional career. Beyond this, several concentrations within the program utilize Linked In to form affinity groups for all students in the same concentration. The FPU Career Services and Alumni Engagement group provide both Linked In and Facebook groups for students and alumni to join for networking purposes. Notably, the MBA in Human Resource Management concentration sponsors a student chapter of SHRM, the only graduate program student chapter in New Hampshire. Online students are able to access this chapter and its offerings on a virtual basis.
Do you offer career services and professional resources to online MBA degree candidates?
Franklin Pierce University provides career services to all current students and alumni. Services include: career advising and goal setting, career/industry research, resume and cover letter assistance, and interview skill support to name a few. Online students are able to interact with the Career Services staff by email, phone, or through Skype meetings.
FPU was selected as one of the 2013-14 top colleges with the best career services as determined by BestColleges.com.
What advice would you give a prospective candidate for your online MBA program?
My advice to prospective candidates is to be certain of what you are looking for in a graduate degree. Be prepared to work hard and in return we will provide you with the skills and tools to become successful business leaders.
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