First Huntsville EMBA Class in Place, Exceeds Expectations
The first class of The University of Alabama’s Executive MBA program in Huntsville is in place and has already exceeded expectations.
“We are absolutely thrilled with our first Huntsville class,” said Susan West, assistant dean and head of the Manderson Graduate School of Business at UA.
The degree is offered through a cooperative agreement with The University of Alabama in Huntsville on the Huntsville campus. The courses will be taught primarily by faculty from UA’s Manderson Graduate School of Business on the Tuscaloosa campus, complemented by faculty members from the Huntsville business school. The degree will be awarded by The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
The Huntsville classes will meet Friday evenings and Saturdays, every other week, for 21 months.
“The growth in the Huntsville area, both in population and economically, and the high educational level of residents which is the highest in the state, make an executive MBA program a much needed offering,” West said.
West said the class an average age of 35 and 12 years of work experience. Students are from the United States, Sweden, India and Germany.
“We also have a nice mix of undergrad degrees” West said, “with about a third holding business degrees, half holding engineering degrees, business degrees and degrees in liberal arts and sciences.”
The occupational background for the class reflects the Huntsville employment profile, with about a fourth representing the defense industry growth in the area, followed by the telecom industry, manufacturing, utilities, government and technology consulting.
“The Huntsville EMBA will provide the same rigorous curriculum provided by the Tuscaloosa EMBA program,” West said. “The degree will be a UA degree, and the students will be taught by a world class faculty.”
The program requires at least five years of work experience, along with a GMAT or GRE. For more information, visit the website at www.emba.ua.edu or contact Donna Blackburn at dblackburn@cba.ua.edu, 205/348-8748.