University of Mary Dual MBA/MA in Philosophy, 36 cr Total

[Fofo]

I'm very glad, thanks!
Would you describe the MBA as global in its outlook? 
Sure. This is the Catholic Church, which is about as global you can get. They have students from different countries. In my current Marketing course we're doing case studies on US multinationals, companies in India, entrepreneurial start-ups in Africa. They're also multi-perspective. You're studying business/enterprise ethics implications reading Seneca, Marx, Aquinas, libertarian free-market economists as Skousen, at one point we were looking at Chinese and Hindu thinkers, research articles from around the globe, etc. The program previously also had emphases on starting NPO's and Public Administration, but these seem to have spun off as separate certificates.

It has a localist component in the on-campus intensive field trip. We examined 3 local co-ops, one of which develops and maintains software for much of the electric grid in the mid-west USA.

Does it differ substantially from an Executive MBA? I’m a prospective international student who’s still on the fence because not many have heard of the school plus I don’t know if it leans business heavy (with relevant case studies etc). 
The MA/MBA is flexible, in my experience they let you run with what you're interested in.

I’m attracted to the philosophy bit of it but worry that the MBA might not be recognised/respected. 

MBA's provide THE OPPORTUNITY for two things: Knowledge/research structure, and connections. The Church is an ecumenical hyper-connector opportunity in itself.

Besides blessings from the Pope and general college accreditation, the MBA program is accredited by 1 of the 3 major specialized US business-program accreditors: International Accreditation Council for Business Education or IACBE  https://www.umary.edu/academics/schools/gary-tharaldson-school-business   

One will read a lot of nonsense online on which is 'best' but they do different things. IACBE focuses on programs that get you ready to go right into or continue improving in enterprise/business especially family, entrepreneur, 'small' (in US under 1000 reports or so). They do not focus on those meant for people with already large corporate experience, family fortunes, or seek to continue into doctoral research (Harvard and AACSB, here I come) or in-between (ACBSP) and tended to attract double/triple majors (Purdue). IACBE tends to focus on quality of preparation and tend to accredit small/religious-tied colleges and state universities. My two cents is for decades I hired applicants from different backgrounds. In general the  ACBSP people tried to keep you out of trouble, the AACSB guys had a (pricey) plan if you were in trouble, and both tended to end up employed by the 'common sense' IACBE graduates. See for yourself and note they accredit colleges outside the US with which you may be more familiar:

https://iacbe.org/accreditation/member-status-information/?_accreditation_status=member-with-accredited-programs&_within_usa=us&_filter_by_location=va

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/aacsb-vs-iacbe

Understand many fine US Business programs ignore all this, having a reputation among certain industries or specialties.

Apologies for the haphazard messaging - typing as I go through airport security!

Hahaha...Well, I hope this helps and keep us posted on your progress!

---

This was sent to me on US Biz accreditors from another forum...
"...ACBE and ACBSP were created by the same individual--John Green. 

I presented at IACBE two years ago and he stated that ACBSP was created first as an alternative to AACSB, whose accreditation process focused upon the scholarly productivity of the faculty and focused little on the curriculum and learning outcomes of the students. Also, only slightly above 10% of all business schools were AACSB accredited at the time. 

According to Mr. Green, when the ACBSP started going in a direction away from student learning outcomes, he created the IACBE a decade later. We just have an accreditation visit by IACBE and I can attest to the fact that, while they were concerned about what the faculty were doing, they were much more concerned about what the students and the educational program was doing."

Thank you! This is incredibly helpful with the decision making. It’s not my first rodeo - I already hold an MSc and have about 14 years’ experience under my belt. I’d been searching for a program that was both intellectually stimulating yet professionally beneficial - the dual masters ticks most of the boxes, sans the name prestige. I’ve bow gone ahead and applied, and I’ll update this thread with my progress!

[MFG]

 
I'm pleased to say that I've graduated from the MBA/MA Philosophy straight A's from University of Mary. Final grades up, Diploma on the way soon.

Anyone interested contact Prof. Donald Bungum, who co-ordinates the program (Philosophy Department).

I want to thank the board in general for the many helpful tips and expressions of encouragement.

--MG