MEDIA RESOURCES

DATE: March 28, 2005

CONTACT: communications@mail.cox.smu.edu

U.S. News & World Report Ranks SMU Cox Professional and Executive MBA Programs Number 12 and 15 in the Nation

The Professional MBA (PMBA) program moved up two positions, from 14 last year to 12 this year, making it the only program in Texas named in the category. The Executive MBA (EMBA) program ranked number 15. The Cox EMBA and PMBA programs are ranked among such schools as Wharton, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and New York University.

This news follows on the heels of an equally exciting ranking received in the fall, when the Financial Times announced SMU Cox’s Executive MBA program ranked among the top 15 in the U.S. (and among the top 30 in the world). The value of a Cox EMBA is confirmed by the salaries of Cox graduates, which rank 7th in the U.S. and #1 in the Southwest and West. In addition, Cox ranked #1 for students with the most professional experience prior to entering the EMBA program.

"SMU Cox is the home for working professionals, and these rankings support the prestige of our programs in addition to our strong connections with the business community," said Albert W. Niemi, Jr., Dean of the Cox School of Business. "We will only continue to enrich the educational experience for business professionals and executives with the addition of the Collins Center."

The James M. Collins Executive Education Center will be the school’s newest asset to serve the needs of a dynamic corporate community. The Center, through its state-of-the-art facilities, will enable SMU’s Cox School of Business to expand its education programs and enhance the educational experience for all business professionals. The dedication is planned for June 1, 2005.

The EMBA and PMBA programs meet the diversified needs of working professionals, allowing them to earn an MBA degree while still working full time. The EMBA program includes a rigorous, broad-based curriculum that is designed for mid-and senior-level managers. Successful EMBA students should have 10 years of professional experience and a record of career achievements. The PMBA program offers a flexible class schedule and two campus locations for fully employed professionals with at least two years of work experience.

SMU’s Cox School of Business offers a full range of business education programs, from BBA and full-time MBA to Professional MBA (PMBA), Executive MBA (EMBA), Masters of Science in Accounting, and Executive Education. With educational experiences like the SMU Cox Business Leadership Center (BLC), Caruth Institute of Entrepreneurship, American Airlines Global Leadership Program (GLP), and the Associate Board Executive Mentoring Program combined with an international alumni outreach of more than 29,000, it is no wonder SMU Cox is ranked among the top business schools nationally and internationally by major publications including BusinessWeek, Economist, Financial Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and U.S. News & World Report. At SMU’s Cox School of Business, what happens in the classroom is just the beginning.