The American MBA Push

Absolutely not. Part-time MBA programs are actually seeing a slight rise in applications, and executive MBA programs have seen significant growth in enrollment.

What accounts for these numbers? First, the corporate scandals early this decade shed a negative light on the business world. Then there's the matter of tuitions, which keep rising to keep pace with decreasing full-time enrollment. Also, many say that today's growing economy is keeping people employed and unwilling to enroll full-time in a graduate program. Plus, overseas programs in Europe and Asia are appealing because they offer a diverse student body, better exposure to global business practices, and shorter program length (about 14-16 months).

But none of this means that the MBA won't survive. While MBAs are still highly sought after by the world's top companies, a more selective student body forces business schools to rethink their old ways and offer more of what their students want and need, such as online degree programs, executive MBAs, part-time MBAs, and a wider variety of specialties like technology, marketing and entertainment.

Online degree programs allow students to work full time while earning their degrees, often in half the time of a traditional program. Part-time MBAs are appealing as well for their flexibility. The executive MBA, for mid-career executives looking to develop professionally, is usually offered at night or on weekends, and is completed in a matter of months. Specialty MBAs give graduates an edge in the corporate world and are more likely to be appealing to those companies who want someone who can dive in right away.

Look for continued creative approaches such as these to make the MBA more accessible and appealing.

Source: BusinessWeek Online