Academics
A cozy business school in Louisville, Kentucky, Bellarmine University offers individual attention and personal growth within a practical MBA curriculum. The 鈥渟mall-school atmosphere and small classroom sizes鈥 are a huge benefit of this program, allowing students to build close relationships with their professors and classmates. Academically, collaboration is a key aspect of the Bellarmine experience, and from the beginning of the program, 鈥渆verything is team based.鈥 To encourage group problem solving, networking, and interaction, 鈥淏ellarmine groups its students into cohorts of four or five,鈥 and they take all core courses together. In fact, the program is designed to help students round out their qualitative abilities, and the curriculum places a strong 鈥渆mphasis on improving student鈥檚 writing, speaking, presentation, and teamwork skills.鈥 In the classroom setting, professors are 鈥済ood at facilitating meaningful class discussions,鈥 which bring each student鈥檚 experience to light. A current student agrees, 鈥淭he cohort design and grouping throughout the weekend program has increased my team-building skills.鈥
Bellarmine鈥檚 faculty comprises 鈥減ublished and scholarly professors,鈥 who have a strong understanding of business theory. Nonetheless, real world skills are emphasized over academic analysis, and students are pushed to 鈥渓earn through case studies in a team-oriented environment.鈥 Don鈥檛 expect to lean back and snooze through a lecture; courses are discussion based and, often, small groups 鈥渓ead case study discussions for the entire class.鈥 Bellarmine has deep ties in the local metropolis. 鈥淥ne of Bellarmine鈥檚 advantages is that a majority of its professors have great career experience, and some are still working in the Louisville area.鈥 A student recounts, 鈥淲e have accounting teachers who have headed departments for Deloitte; IRS Tax Attorneys teaching tax and business law; and a lawyer/econ Ph.D. who teaches economics and how to do business in non-capitalistic countries.鈥 Although the school 鈥渃ould offer a wider variety of MBA electives,鈥 students appreciate the varied experience faculty members bring to the classroom. Class work is often augmented by the invitation of special 鈥渟peakers and contributors, who are able to share more recent 鈥榬eal world鈥 experiences鈥 with the student body.
For working professionals, the Bellarmine MBA program is flexible, allowing students to tailor coursework to fit their busy schedules. Depending on the pace in which you complete coursework, the MBA can take anywhere from two to five years to complete. Classes are held in the evenings and on weekends. 鈥淭he convenience is great for someone looking to go to school part time.鈥 Overall, the program is 鈥渧ery well run, with minimal red tape.鈥 When it comes to planning your schedule or paying your bills, 鈥渢he administration is wonderful to work with, very helpful, and makes things easier on students.鈥 A 鈥減ersonal touch鈥 distinguishes the experience, and 鈥渟taff, faculty, and administration care about the students and their success.鈥