MBA Degree Program To Launch In February
January 2, 2007
Seeking to blend local convenience with an international perspective, Oklahoma Baptist University will offer a new master of business administration degree program in downtown Oklahoma City starting in February.
"OBU has a creative vision for an MBA program that is unlike any other in the Oklahoma City metro area to date," said Marian Combs, director of OBU's International Graduate School.
The 18-month program will include classes one night per week and one Saturday per course. The program's first class is scheduled to graduate in September 2008. The cohort will start classes in Oklahoma City on February 19, 2007. Courses will be taught by faculty from OBU's Paul Dickinson School of Business.
Combs said the international aspect is not limited to the program's name. The graduate approach is expanding on OBU's history of international involvement, which has included development of educational and business enterprises in Brazil and Russia in the past 15 years.
"The international perspective pervades the program," said Combs. "An international trip is included in regular tuition for all students. Successful businesspeople today must have a global perspective, and OBU wants to prepare students for success."
While the program will take students outside of the country, it will be offered in close proximity to Oklahoma City's downtown business community. The OBU International Graduate School classrooms and offices are housed in the Momentum Building at 111 N. Harrison. The building is in Oklahoma City's Triangle District, just north of Bricktown.
OBU's International Graduate School will be housed in the Momentum Building in Oklahoma City. Above is an artist's rendering of the projected appearance following renovation and expansion of the facility on the east side of the downtown area. (Click on the picture for a larger image.)
"If you work downtown, you can drive over, park within feet of the front door, and walk into class right after work one night a week," said Combs. "We are right off of I-235, so even those commuting from somewhere else in central Oklahoma will find our location to be convenient.
"We really caught the fever of downtown OKC development when we were introduced to this building, and the area," said Combs, who extensively scouted potential sites in the metropolitan area.
"As an anchor tenant in the building, we anticipate other retail tenants who look forward to the crowd of young professionals that will participate in our programs. That can build synergy to further enhance the development of the area," she said.
The building is owned by Momentum Partners, and is being marketed by UrbanWorks, a local development group.
"UrbanWorks and Bert Belanger have been instrumental in welcoming us to the area," said Combs. "We see this as a win-win for our program and their efforts to bolster growth in the area."
The OBU International Graduate School will host a grand opening at the Momentum Building on Tuesday, January 23, at noon. An open house is slated at the building on Jan. 25, from 5-7 p.m.
Combs said the OBU-IGS is hosting events to introduce the MBA degree program to prospective students.
"Our program offers the quickest start-to-completion for any MBA program offered in downtown Oklahoma City. We believe professionals in the metro area will find our program to be particularly appealing," she said.
The program is offering several workshops on admissions and financial aid in January. Admissions workshops will be Jan. 9 from noon-1 p.m. and Jan. 18 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Financial aid workshops will be Jan. 10 from noon-1 p.m. and Jan. 16 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Combs said there are a few remaining slots for students in the inaugural MBA class. More information is available at www.igs.okbu.edu or by calling Combs at 405-343-9362.