UNC Alums Gain Access To Online Courses

The University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School is adding a new and unusual perk for alumni of the school: the chance to take online MBA courses for just $800 a pop.

The school announced the new initiative today (July 2), initially offering alums eight different courses that are being taught as part of the school’s one-year-old online program, MBA@UNC. The first eight courses open to alumni registration are Financial Accounting;  Marketing Strategy, Analysis and Development; Business Communication; Analytical Tools;  Economics: Operation; Introductory Finance, and Global Marketing Strategy.

Launched in July 2011, MBA@UNC is designed for working professionals who want to earn their MBA from a top-ranked business school and value the flexibility of an online program.

“As we celebrate the first year of MBA@UNC, we welcome our MBA alumni back to school, from anywhere they are working around the globe, ” said Doug Shackelford, MBA@UNC associate dean, in a statement. “Now they can remain lifelong students even if they can’t come to Chapel Hill.”

MBA alumni may register this summer for classes that begin in October and end in December.

“Our alumni can continue their MBA education from wherever they are in the world,” added Susan Cates, MBA@UNC executive director, in a statement. “Courses are taught by top professors, some of whom alumni learned from when they were in Chapel Hill and others who joined UNC Kenan-Flagler after they graduated.”

They may take the courses at any point in their careers, said Cates. “We expect that the classes will appeal to alumni who want to update their skills, need to broaden their knowledge as they change functions, or work in rapidly changing fields.”

Alumni will enroll for a quarter, take a course for a grade (they may not audit) and receive credit on their transcripts. They will pay $800 for each course to cover the costs of software licensing support, technical support, textbooks and course materials.

In addition to the initial eight classes, Cates said the school will offer alumni classes in all of the MBA program’s subject areas.  So upcoming courses will include strategy, real estate, sustainable enterprise, leading and managing, negotiations, consulting, entrepreneurship, financial derivatives, and international tax strategy,

They will attend classes along with current students, and do all of the work – readings, projects and exams. Alumni of any UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA program can take any MBA@UNC course that is being offered during the quarter.

Spaces are limited for each course, so registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

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