At Baylor, the online MBA program is centered around flexibility and community. Launched in 2014, Baylor’s online MBA program has grown to include 226 students as of this Fall semester.
CATERED TO YOUR SCHEDULE
One of Baylor’s key selling points for its online MBA program is the flexibility for students.
“The Baylor Online MBA offers six starts per year, so students can begin their MBA journey at a time that works best for them,” Mary Reinhardt, associate director of Baylor’s online MBA program, says. “The course offerings are asynchronous which allows students the flexibility to be in class at a time that works within their schedule. Students also have the flexibility to sit out terms if life gets hectic outside of the classroom.”
For Matt Skinner, a 2017 graduate of the program, the flexibility of Baylor’s online MBA was a key highlight.
“I was on the road over 300 nights during my time in this program with several international trips and was able to keep up and manage the load thanks to the program being online and well supported with a variety of tools and resources for networking and assignment completion,” Skinner says.
Baylor allows students up to five years to complete the degree. On average, students in the program typically complete their degree in two years. But for students looking for an even quicker route, Baylor offers an accelerated program as well.
“The program is set up as an accelerated program which allows students to complete the degree in as little as one year,” Reinhardt says. “For students without a BBA undergraduate degree, we require five leveling courses to lay the foundation needed and expected in an MBA program. Because we are 100% asynchronous, students have the flexibility to be ‘in class’ when their schedules permit.”
PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE CRUCIAL
Many of Baylor’s online MBA students come into the program with work experience under their belt.
The incoming classes during the 2017-2018 academic year has an average of nine years work experience.
“A perfect applicant is someone with eight to ten years work experience at the mid management level,” Reinhardt says. “Students are expected to bring to the classroom real work experiences to be used in class discussions, and mentoring opportunities that help build and strengthen student relationships.”
Students entering during the 2017-2018 academic year have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.09 and a median GMAT score of 625. However, it’s important to note that only 1% of enrolled students submitted a GMAT for admission. Baylor says it offers to waive test scores if applicants meet the work experience requirements. For the 2017-2018 academic year, 99% of students had their test scores waived.
“Applicants with four or more years post undergraduate work experience do not need to submit GMAT or GRE test scores,” Reinhardt says. “If applying with less than four years of work experience after earning an undergraduate degree, GMAT or GRE test scores are required.”
STRONG COMMUNITY
Perhaps one of the greatest assets of Baylor’s online MBA program is the support among fellow students and faculty.
“The opportunity to network and share experiences with a large group of students is very common as there are no required cohorts in the program which means our students have the opportunity to be in class with almost every student in the program and grow their network immediately,” Reinhardt says.
For James Vultaggio, who will be graduating in December 2018, those connections will last beyond his time in school.
“The program structure is leveraged in such a way that you are always interacting with your classmates and sharing professional experiences to aid in learning the material,” Vultaggio says. “Thus, after the end of the program you are quite familiar with your classmates’ careers and professional aspirations. This has continued even after the program with individuals arranging networking events locally to keep the connection ongoing.”
Baylor students have access to “The Bear’s Den,” a communication hub for everything happening within the program. Additionally, students get weekly announcements about current activities as well as their next steps to help keep them organized with school requirements and social events.
“We celebrate life events with each other like new jobs, promotions, new babies, marriages and even vacation pictures,” Reinhardt says. “Last fall we stayed in touch with students who were affected by the hurricanes in Texas and down the coast thru Florida as many had to take a break from class to get their lives back in order. We also share thoughts on leadership styles by asking questions and having students respond. Students can choose to be as active as they like.”
