From Auburn University:
Auburn University was established in 1856 as the East Alabama Male College, 20 years after the city of Auburn’s founding. In 1872, under the Morrill Act, the school became the first land-grant college in the South and was renamed the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama. In 1899 the name again was changed, to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute. Finally, in 1960 the name of the school was changed to Auburn University, a title more in keeping with its location, and expressing the varied academic programs and larger curriculum of a major university.
Today, Auburn is one of the few universities to carry the torch as a land, sea and space grant university. Our fall 2012 semester enrollment was 25,134. Our students can choose from more than 140 degree options in 13 schools and colleges at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels.
Auburn University has developed into one of the largest universities in the South, remaining in the educational forefront with its traditional blend of arts and applied science, and changing with the needs of today while living with a respect for the traditions and spirit that are Auburn.
Program Overview
An Auburn MBA can be an important part of the competitive advantage needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive business environment. The College of Business offers an on-campus MBA, a video-based Distance MBA, an Executive MBA and a Physicians Executive MBA, all structured to provide students with a world-class learning experience.
The Master of Business Administration program is the largest graduate-level program in the College of Business and has drawn high rankings from publications such as Forbes Magazine and Financial Times.
An MBA from Auburn, consistently ranked among the top public universities in the nation, prepares individuals to enter the workplace in key leadership positions. Hands-on leadership training is integrated throughout the program.
MBA students have access to all services of the Office of Professional and Career Development and work with the Director of Graduate Career Services for personalized career coaching and professional development. The degree is available with 6 different concentrations.
Dual graduate degree options are available in MSBA-Finance, Management Information Systems, and Industrial and Systems Engineering for those interested in multiple degrees.
A competitive number of graduate research assistantships are awarded annually to attract the best and brightest students to the Auburn MBA. A GRA is an employee for the university and with that comes many benefits, one of which is rewarding the student with free tuition. The assistantship also builds experience in research and puts students in position to accomplish noteworthy projects in the field of academia.
International Trip
In the spring the MBA program travels around the world participating in different international business trips. With an increasingly global economy, having international business exposure and travel experience adds significant value to our students’ professional development. In the spring of 2013 the MBA class was divided into three groups and each assigned different trips around the world. One group will be traveling to South Korea for roughly a week, where they will meet with prominent Korean businesses in Seoul and Ulsan. One group, which is comprised of students who are focused in management information systems, will travel to Dublin, Ireland where they will spend a week with businesses related in this field. Lastly, a group will visit a three central European cities; Munich, Vienna and Budapest. During this trip, students would have opportunities to visit some local business companies, government organizations and get the chance to site-see as well. In the past this has always been a highlight for the students and faculty. The program views these trips as a significant growing opportunity for students and plan on continuing and emphasizing this event for future classes to come.
Outside the Classroom
Here at Auburn, we believe in forging relationships that extend beyond the classroom. Through the Association of Graduate Business Students, students have an outlet to connect with classmates and participate in more of a social atmosphere. AGBS is comprised of MBA, MIS and MS Finance students and offers a variety of channels for students to connect and network such as crawfish boils to business trips. This following year AGBS organized seven intramurals teams, two social events, a philanthropy “fun run”, a golf outing and two business trips to Atlanta and Charlotte. Our business trips offer a chance for students to learn about companies first hand as well as expose their abilities to potential employers. As for our socials, AGBS looks to provide a friendly and engaging environment where relationships can be built upon. Overall using this platform makes the connection between students grow and fosters a since of unity throughout the program.
Q & A:
Alex Stevenson: MBA/MS Finance Candidate 2013
Q: Why did you choose Auburn to pursue your MBA?
A: “For the family atmosphere I felt here, not only with the faculty and students but within the alumni and professional world”
Q: What has been your favorite aspect of the program?
A: “In the classroom we are very team oriented, this carries throughout the program”
Q: What or how does the MBA program prepare you for your next step in your career?
A: “So far the MBA program has offered a lot of real world examples with a very realistic approach to situations. I appreciate the ethically conflicts we bring up and discuss in almost every class. The biggest thing I believe that this program instilled in me is to be confident in yourself. Not every decision has cut and dry answers, it’s about being able to articulate yourself and support your decisions”
