At the University of Missouri-Rolla, nine students are completing their first semester in UMR’s new master of business administration degree program. Many of these students are scheduled to complete the program within one calendar year, depending on their career opportunities and concurrent work schedules.           

Nine graduate students are enrolled in UMR’s first MBA class. If all goes well, they’ll earn their degrees by the end of the year.

The program, which was officially started in January of this year, is structured to allow for completion in 12 months.          

During one semester of summer study, the students will gain real world experience through a six-credit-hour practicum, which will be offered on campus or as an internship through an off-site company. Companies like Anheuser Busch, Monsanto EDS and Tellabs are supporting the program by offering internships.        

UMR’s program emphasizes business, technology and entrepreneurship by incorporating Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software in the curriculum. UMR has more courses in its curriculum that are enhanced by the use of ERP software from SAP Corporation and Microsoft than any other university in the United States.         

The program prepares students for working in large corporations, for small businesses, or for starting their own companies.           

“Our intensive MBA is definitely unique in offering a curriculum that is technology based and built around team projects, business plans and live simulations,” says Brenda  Bouse, MBA director in UMR’s School of Management and Information Systems. “The curriculum provides an opportunity to gain both the quantitative and soft skills that are most sought after by employers. We have started the program with a great group of students and our instructors have really worked hard to provide an innovative approach to learning.”         

Students may customize their degrees by choosing a concentration in enterprise resource planning, human-computer interaction, information technology management, marketing, supply chain management or project management. Schedules are personalized and new students are admitted during the fall or winter semesters.         

Students may apply now for program start dates beginning in August of 2007 and January of 2008. For more information about the MBA program, email bouseb.mst.edu or visit http://mba.mst.edu .