Recognition continues to roll in for Ferris State University’s online Master of Business
Administration program as its leaders and supporters review and adjust curriculum
to benefit students and respond to the marketplace.
Online MBA Today noted Ferris’ standing as fourth-best in its “Top 15 Online MBA Programs in Michigan” rankings. The website notes that Ferris’ MBA “features a robust curriculum and is backed by the business school’s stellar accreditation through the ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs).” In addition to accreditation, other ranking factors include program affordability, average base salary data and prestige based on other published rankings, including U.S. News and World Report.
MBA Program Director Alex Manga, an assistant professor of Management in Ferris’ College of Business, is pleased with the latest ranking, which comes during a period of significant adjustment to and innovation in the university’s MBA curriculum.
“Our new students should find favor with the degree’s 39-credit-hour requirement, which is in line with most programs, nationally,” Manga said. “We have not found the adjustment, from a 48-credit-hour requirement, to be much of a complication for those students currently seeking their degree.”
Manga said an emphasis on data analytics and lean management leadership techniques is at the core of the program’s curriculum restructuring.
“An analytical approach to management is a more desirable attribute, in the marketplace, rather than theoretical learning,” Manga said. “We believe the addition of data analytics as part of the core curriculum, in place of research method, should equip our students to be more successful in their career pursuits.”
The Online MBA Today report points to study concentrations available to Ferris MBA students, including Business Intelligence, Supply Chain Management and Lean Logistics. Manga said the MBA faculty and advising team are working on revisions to the program’s professional certificates – also in response to the marketplace.
“The content and focus of our professional certificates is being augmented, which can be uniquely linked to the professional interests of our students,” Manga said. “These offerings, along with our degree program, are intended to offer students a more attractive management skill set.”
Manga said it is an exciting time for the program as student numbers grow and collaboration across campus supports the changes.
“We have a great desire to provide our students every opportunity and to help them achieve their goals, professionally,” Manga said. “It is our hope to see the MBA program be accepted by the marketplace on a par with the university’s other hallmark degree programs. None of this would be possible, but for the efforts of our MBA faculty, the College of Business, Management Professor Gayle Lopez, and Shannon Yost, in the Office of Graduate Studies.”
Click the following link for more information about the Master of Business Administration program.
PHOTO CAPTION: Ferris State University's online Master of Business Administration
program has been recognized by Online MBA Today, as one of the best in Michigan. Shown
in the above image is Alex Manga, assistant professor of Management and the university’s
MBA program director.