Academics
Word of mouth plays a big part in many students鈥 decision to attend the Graduate College at Western Michigan University with 鈥済reat recommendations from family and friends.鈥 One student was even referred to the school by a CEO. Most students seem quite happy with their choice. They also like that the school 鈥渋s nationally accredited,鈥 and ranked as a 鈥渢op 100 school.鈥
The graduate program at Western 鈥渋s primarily a 鈥榥ight school.鈥 Most students work full-time jobs and take two classes a semester.鈥 鈥淐lasses are all from six to nine at night spread across three campuses. The MBA program is targeted at working people who want to pursue an MBA.鈥 Students find the program adaptable. One student agrees, saying, 鈥淚 also like the ability to earn a specialization within my MBA program鈥擨 have some flexibility to change my curriculum if my interests change.鈥 The school also offers several online, weekend, and condensed-hybrid format courses.
While some classes are clearly more challenging than others, the workload is manageable for most students. 鈥淎cademics are easy when you show up to class, pay attention, and do the work.鈥 The program also provides students with an 鈥渆xcellent emphasis on international business.鈥 This 鈥済lobal outlook鈥 is 鈥渋mportant in today鈥檚 workforce.鈥
Although not all the professors receive the same high praise, several do get excellent reviews. Considered 鈥渟tellar鈥 to 鈥渁mazing people,鈥 these 鈥渢eachers bring a great attitude and very effective teaching style[s]鈥 to class. One student says, 鈥淓very semester I have entered into a new classroom and thought, 鈥榃ow, this is my most favorite professor ever.鈥 Now I鈥檓 struggling with which one is my favorite because there are so many and each one has helped me with situations that I will eventually face in my future.鈥 While one student claims to be 鈥渃hallenged to constantly find a way to incorporate what I am learning into my career,鈥 another student suggests, 鈥淲MU employs too many career educators, and I would like more real world applications of the materials we are learning.鈥 Class sizes are mostly adequate for sufficient student/teacher communication, usually 鈥渓imited to thirty students so you get to interact quite a bit with the professors.鈥