|
|
|
|
|
Kelley Direct Online Program attracts diverse, qualified students from global corners
Aug. 20, 2000
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Students in Indiana University's first public online MBA class will be logging on this fall from locations as divergent as Hawaii, California, Germany and Finland.
Participants include a U.S. Navy legal officer who will be earning his degree from aboard an aircraft carrier, a company's chief financial officer, a nuclear scientist, a husband-and-wife duo, and several entrepreneurs.
The diverse group of highly qualified students will earn their Kelley School of Business degrees through various online media. They will access materials -- including text, audio and video presentations, and virtual tours -- directly from the Web over the course of two years.
Beyond IU, the 42 students in the incoming class include alumni from Princeton, Harvard, Cornell, the University of California-Berkeley, and the United States Naval Academy. The average student is around 35 years old, with more than 10 years of professional business experience and a GMAT test score of 620.
Designed for professionals who wish to continue their employment while earning their degree, the Kelley Direct Online MBA has been honed to meet the needs of students facing special challenges in today's fast-paced business environment. The program is modeled after the school's part-time MBA program. Typically, students who enroll in the program continue their employment, often in highly demanding jobs.
One such student is a construction manager who spends most of his time in Alaska, while another is a partner in a law firm.
"Traditional MBA programs require that participants meet regularly and that travel, transfer and promotions be postponed while they are enrolled. This direct online MBA removes these barriers and opens the program to people from across the country and around the world," said Cam Danielson, Executive Director of Kelley Executive Partners, the executive education arm of the Kelley School.
IU first launched the online MBA in 1999 for clients of Kelley Executive Partners. Managers from BAA, Federal Express, Rolls-Royce Allison, Kimball International and CINergy enrolled in the program. Based on that class's success, the Kelley Direct Online MBA was opened to the public for the 2000-01 academic year.
"We decided to no longer restrict it only to those with corporate sponsorship," Danielson said. "The message got out quickly. Through word of mouth and an intensive advertising blitz in the Midwest, it attracted a large applicant pool."
Meghan Boston, assistant director of Kelley Executive Partners, added that a significant number of applications came from California and overseas. "The large and diverse response indicates there are many qualified individuals who want an MBA, but who do not or cannot pursue a residential program," Boston said.
"For many applicants, the Online MBA program also represents the best part-time MBA program to which they have access," added Richard Magjuka, chairperson of the Kelley Direct Online MBA program.
Students are gathering this week for a one-week in-residence requirement that occurs at the beginning of each of the program's two years. They are on campus together in Indianapolis for classes, networking and campus orientation.
The remainder of the program is Web-based and asynchronous, which allows them to learn at paces determined by their individual schedules.
"I have been very impressed with the technology and the faculty," said current student John Shade, an executive with Rolls-Royce. "The tools and computer staff are exceptional, and the professors are totally committed. The program is demanding, but with the flexibility that allows me to balance my work and home schedule."
More information about the Kelley Direct Online MBA is available at its Web site at http://mbaonline.indiana.edu or by calling 317-278-1566.
(George Vlahakis, 812-855-0846, gvlahaki@indiana.edu)