PROFESSIONAL MBA (PMBA)

Professional MBA

MBA programs designed for working professionals are demanding yet rewarding. Participants have the opportunity to enhance their professional skill sets and expand their professional networks without the loss of income. Obtaining a graduate degree, while working full time and balancing both personal and professional pursuits is a challenging way to obtain a degree but is well worth the effort.

Selecting the “right” MBA program is a life changing decision, which has become increasingly complicated as competition has intensified among PMBA (working professional) programs within the Dallas/Fort Worth market. Unfortunately, as local PMBA providers make even more noise to rise above the din of the crowded marketplace, the task of selecting the right PMBA program becomes all the more daunting for consumers. So what should prospective students do to evaluate their options?

One of the most visible features of any program is its national reputation. Strong national reputations have a broad positive effect on programs: they allow schools to recruit the brightest students and faculty; they attract donors and supporters wanting to be associated with a winner; and they provide graduates with greater cachet in the marketplace, ultimately enhancing their employment prospects throughout their professional careers.

The key determining factors for PMBA students become program “fit” and return on investment in relation to personal preferences and career goals. Asking these questions when evaluating North Texas PMBA programs may be helpful.

Q: Is the program conveniently located?
Working professionals have less free time today than ever before, as many are asked to assume additional responsibilities of colleagues who have been laid off. So a program’s location(s) is a key deciding factor for many prospects. You should determine where a PMBA program offers its classes to determine how much travel time you’ll spend.

Q: What kind of access will you have to the program’s resources?
Consider carefully what kind of access you will have to a program’s library resources, technology infrastructure, classroom and conference facilities, and faculty.

Q: How can I determine if an MBA program is worth my investment?
Most PMBA programs demand a considerable investment of time and money. To determine whether you’ll get your time and money’s worth, you should evaluate three aspects of a program’s ROI: immediate value through a robust learning experience in an academic setting; near-term value through indicators such as job promotions and salary increases; and long-term value through lifelong opportunities to network with top business scholars and leaders and participate in a vital community of people with shared values and common interests.

Q: Is the program compatible with your professional and personal schedule?
A flexible, convenient class schedule is one of the most important features of a PMBA program. Because prospects have so little free time between their professional responsibilities and personal lives, you should select a program that offers night and weekend classes to accommodate your busy schedule.

Q: What is the overall focus of the program?
Some local PMBA programs specialize in disciplines such as human resources or organizational behavior. Working professional programs that offer specialized concentrations such as finance, marketing or entrepreneurship will provide you with more opportunities for advancement after graduation from the program.

Q: How diverse are the students in the program?
Close interaction with peers both inside the classroom as well as in outside study groups is one of the most important features a PMBA program can offer. A diverse student body- in terms of ethnicity, professional experiences, functional expertise and industry representation – ensures that numerous perspectives are brought to bear on every interaction, ultimately enriching your PMBA experience.

Q: Does the program have an international component?
To thrive in today’s global marketplace, working professionals require an appreciation for different cultures as well as basic understanding of how business is conducted in other parts of the world. PMBA programs offering study abroad opportunities will allow you to increase your cachet in the global marketplace by traveling to foreign countries and experiencing first-hand different business customs, cultures and economies. For example, Southern Methodist University offers study abroad programs in China, France, Mexico and Germany.

Q: How many students are enrolled in the program?
In PMBA programs with relatively small class sizes, students have the opportunity to interact closely with faculty and peers both inside and outside the classroom. Over the course of a two to three year program, that kind of close interaction can broaden your perspective on business and enhance your overall learning experience.

Q: How competitive is admission to the program?
Level of competition for admission is an important consideration. To perform a self-screening process, you should look at the average GMAT scores of recent and entering classes, as well as students’ track records of professional achievement, average salaries and level of experience. Some schools adhere to strict cut-offs for test scores and other admissions criteria while others are more flexible and look at the candidate’s over all record of success and relevant test scores.

Q: Is the program connected to the business community?
While a significant portion of the learning experience occurs on campus through classroom discussion, peer study groups and meetings with faculty, PMBA students can benefit from a program’s connection to the surrounding business community. You should look for programs that offer executive mentoring programs, alumni networking events and lecture series that draw upon various resources beyond campus to enrich your educational experience while enhancing your employment opportunities.

In researching different PMBA programs, you should use a range of resources.

• Refer to major publications for rankings – Currently, BusinessWeek, Financial Times and U.S. News & World Report publish national and international rankings. Each publication uses different ranking criteria, ranging from graduate satisfaction and career advancement to specialties such as leadership and entrepreneurship offerings.
• Check out Websites – Websites are one of the best sources for up-to-the-minute information. In addition to presenting basic program information, websites typically provide updates on new offerings, information session schedules, event calendars, student and alumni testimonials and online inquiries and applications.
• Attend information sessions – Most programs regularly schedule information sessions for prospective students to attend. In addition to providing a program overview, these sessions typically give prospects the opportunity to interact with program administrators, faculty, career management staff, current students and/or alumni.
• Sit in on a class – Sitting in on a class is the best way for prospects to experience in an academic setting the dynamic interaction between faculty and students that is such a vital part of the learning process.