DU’s Daniels College of Business has expanded its popular Professional MBA (PMBA) program.
The program, which allows participants to work full time while finishing their degree in two years, launched in 2008 as a Saturday-only option. Now, students can choose between two different formats, a weeknight program from 6–10 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and the weekend format with class on Saturdays from 8–5 p.m.
The new weeknight option replaces the part-time MBA program. Students in the program also will have the option to pursue a concentration in a variety of specialization areas.
George Simon, associate clinical professor and PMBA lead faculty member, says the new format allows more flexibility in scheduling and is more appealing to prospective students.
“Students can take classes during the week like they could in the traditional MBA program or they can choose to have class on Saturday, which is unique to our area,” he says.
Students follow an integrated, sequential curriculum focusing on leadership, teambuilding, ethics, sustainability and innovation. The first 18 months of the program are taken as a cohort, with peers of similar experience. The final four courses are electives, allowing students to choose an academic concentration.
“The PMBA curriculum speaks to issues of entrepreneurship and sustainability, as well as giving students the option to focus their interest in a particular area,” says Simon.
The curriculum also includes a nine-day international trip and a capstone community service-learning project.
The program targets high potential, early to mid-career professionals with at least two years of career-track experience. The average PMBA student has 3–8 years of experience.
“We’re looking for students who are motivated and who are able to value and appreciate how classroom learning can apply to the real business world,” says Simon.
Cohort classes start each September and March. Applications are evaluated as they are received.