Academics
Offering a 鈥済lobally-focused program鈥 that鈥檚 鈥渨ell-known in the area,鈥 the School of Business at Pacific Lutheran University satisfies South Puget Sound area locals, who appreciate 鈥渢he convenience offered to working professionals鈥 here. With 鈥渟mall class sizes鈥 facilitating plenty of 鈥渙ne-on-one interactions,鈥 the PLU MBA program employs a 鈥渃ustomer service approach鈥 that keeps students happy. This part-time program, 鈥渄esigned for working professionals,鈥 can be completed in less than two years.
Standout features of the PLU MBA include an emphasis in technology and innovation management, mentioned by several students as the main draw to the school; PLU also offers areas of emphasis in entrepreneurship and closely-held enterprises, as well as in health care management. A general MBA without concentration is also available. All students must complete a 鈥渢en-day international trip requirement,鈥 which grateful MBAs note is 鈥渋ncluded in the cost of tuition.鈥 Recent destinations include France, Spain, China, Dubai, Taiwan, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, and Peru. Students describe the experience as 鈥渁mazing鈥 and cite it as a major asset to the program.
Most agree, however, that the faculty and program administrators are PLU鈥檚 primary selling points. The 鈥渆xcellent professors鈥 at the School of Business are 鈥渆xperienced, flexible, always available, and professional.鈥 They go out of their way to utilize their students鈥 professional experiences in class. As one student explains, 鈥淧rofessors try very hard to learn about each student and cater lessons/lectures to our professional backgrounds.鈥 Small classes mean lots of student participation. 鈥淎s a student you are challenged to learn, and you are a part of the class. It鈥檚 expected that the students are active in the classes,鈥 one MBA warns. The administration of PLU鈥檚 MBA program 鈥渋s handled almost exclusively by the program administrator/director,鈥 a great arrangement for students, who report that administrative services in their program are among the best on campus.