11 0 I Academics Cyber-learning Master of Business Administration offers a full online learning program for professionals While writing a marketing research paper, Assistant Dean of Students Kara Abston looks over a textbook in her office Nov. 29. Abston had to juggle her regular work schedule with the class load in order to complete the six-week marketing management class. Kristi Soto est.1998 Master of Business Administration 27 faculty I 36 courses Since 1998, Harding has offered Master of Business Administration degrees for on-campus students in addition to its undergraduate catalog, but in 2005 the College of Business Administration began offering an online version of its MBA program. Glen Metheny, director of business professional studies and of the online MBA program, said there were many advantages to the online program. Students used the same textbooks for both the online and on-campus courses, could take classes at any time of the day and at any location. They also had the opportunity to take classes that were taught by professors not only from the Searcy campus, but also from all over the nation. "The online program offers the flexibility to be in class on your own schedule, whether that is two in the afternoon or two in the morning, keeping in mind that one must be present in class five of seven days a week," Metheny said. "The face-to-face-interaction and immediate feedback from a professor are a couple of advantages to the on ground program." Nash Gammill of Dallas, Texas, recently graduated from the online MBA program at Harding. Gammill worked for Mclane Foodservice in program management and said his company offered to cover the costs of his graduate work. The degree allowed him to receive a promotion, and he believed it was a valuable experience that would continue to open doors in the years to come. "I had to find an online MBA program due to my workload at Mclane and extracurricular commitments that made programs involving night classes and that sort of thing impractical," Gammill said. "The online program allows Harding to pool the entire country, recruiting some of the best talent." According to MBA student Adina Wong, classes ran seven days a week, with most assignments due on the weekends to accommodate students with full-time jobs and families. The classmates communicated via online forums. The online MBA program was year-round, and classes ran during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, but Wong appreciated the flexibility of the program. Gammill said that the most valuable aspect of Harding's program was its Christian perspective and ethical values. "This is perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the MBA program; the underlying but not understated tone of high Christian principles in each and every course," Gammill said. Matt Ryan
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==