October 9, 2007

Krannert's weekend MBA program to offer more starting dates

The program has run every three years since it began in 1994. For the first time starting in January, a new group of students will begin the trek to a future MBA while another class begins their second year.

"This is a prime example of responding to market demand," said Chuck Johnson, director of master's and executive programs at Krannert. "The weekend MBA program was so popular, we had waiting lists of applicants who all had to wait until the current class graduated. This gives them more options and allows us to further develop an already successful program."

Students meet on the West Lafayette campus 26 Saturdays a year to attend classes taught by Krannert faculty.

"Location is a key ingredient to the program," Johnson said. "We rely on classroom interaction, student to student, student to faculty. Even though they come to West Lafayette once a week, students in the weekend program receive a standard classroom experience and become an integral part of the university community."

Most of the students are from the surrounding area, or live and work an hour to an hour and a half away. The weekend program is one of three executive MBA programs at Krannert designed to help professionals get their MBAs while maintaining full-time job responsibilities.

"The weekend schedule allows students to compartmentalize their schedules and balance work and family responsibilities," Johnson said. "Because the classes are held on Saturdays, most folks can disengage from work and become totally immersed in the educational process."

The class starts at 8:30 a.m., with breakfast and lunch provided, and is over by 4:30 p.m. Coursework covers all the functional areas of management – economics, management, accounting, finance, human resources, quantitative methods, marketing operations and strategic management. Students attend six semesters of Saturday classes but are off during the summers.

"This is not MBA 'lite,'" Johnson said. "Our weekend students have more experience and are a little older than the full-time MBA candidates but have the same admission requirements, and our faculty expects them to perform equally."

Jerry Lynch, professor of economics and academic director for the Master's and Executive Education program, oversees most of the operations of the program and finds faculty to fit the non-traditional nature of the students.

"Because the weekend students are under a time crunch, coordinating work, family and school, they're looking for pragmatic answers," Lynch said. "But in terms of their overall goals and commitment to completing their education, they're the same as our full-time students."

The weekend students fall between the demographics of full-time MBA students, whose average age is 28 with 4 years experience, and the students enrolled in the Executive MBA program, who are on average 35 years old with 12 years experience, Lynch said.

Currently, 62 students are enrolled in the weekend program. Johnson expects to admit an additional 60 in January. The application deadline is Nov. 1.

Tuition for the weekend master's degree program is $13,000 per year for the class starting in January 2008, not including books and case packets. Most students receive support or reimbursement from their employers.

In addition to the Weekend Executive MBA Program, the Krannert School of Management offers two other top-ranked programs for working professionals and managers: an executive MBA and an international master's in management. Specialized non-degree programs in areas such as advanced manufacturing and a life sciences information technology project management certificate both at the West Lafayette campus and at corporate training facilities also are offered. More information on what these programs offer and how to enroll is available at Krannert's Web site at https://www2.krannert.purdue.edu/info/degree/

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Sources: Chuck Johnson, (765) 496-3668, cjohnson@purdue.edu

Jerry Lynch, (765) 494-4388, lynch@purdue.edu

Tim Newton, Krannert School director of external relations and communications, (765) 496-7271, tnewton@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Weekend MBA students from several areas in Indiana are available for interviews. Contact Maggie Morris, Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

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