Press Release

UA's Eller College takes accelerated evening MBA to Phoenix

18-month evening degree program at new Scottsdale campus launches January '08

TUCSON, Ariz. – JULY 24, 2008 – Professionals looking for an edge in today’s increasingly dynamic global economy now have another option for advanced education in Phoenix. The University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management will offer an accelerated Evening MBA program at its new Scottsdale campus beginning January 10, 2008.

Paul Portney, dean of the Eller College, emphasized the commitment of The University of Arizona to meet the Southwest’s growing demand for accomplished business leaders. “To grow and sustain a vibrant economy, Arizona needs leaders with top-notch analytical skills combined with meaningful experience,” he explained. “The Eller College is helping to meet that need in Phoenix. We started with an Executive MBA program for experienced professionals, and now we’re adding an Evening MBA program for professionals with three or more years of experience — with both programs housed in our permanent Scottsdale location.”

Building on the success of its 14-month Executive MBA program launched in 2006, the Eller College’s Evening MBA is a fast-paced, convenient yet comprehensive program for working professionals. Students attend class one evening per week for 18 months, including three residential sessions which range from three to five days each. The accelerated program is possible due to the integrated curriculum and course lengths that vary based on the needs of the market and the complexity of material.

“Students will engage in real-world, hands-on learning every Wednesday evening that they can apply immediately when they return to the office on Thursday,” explained Brent Chrite, associate dean and director of Eller MBA programs. “We scrapped the traditional semester-long course design in favor of a blended business learning model in which courses are condensed — anywhere from one to 12 weeks — based on the academic material under study. For example, the introductory course on leadership and social responsibility is completed in four days during the first residential session; the statistical decision making course unfolds over eight weeks in order to maximize transfer and impact.”

According to Chrite, the residential sessions and weekly catered dinners were incorporated to build a sense of community and promote networking opportunities. In addition, the new curriculum design includes an in-depth, team-based project to be completed during the second residential session, and an optional international trip. Due to the accelerated 18-month format, there are no electives. However, a capstone project focusing on organizational strategy combined with the latest topics in business leadership will culminate the MBA experience. Examples of topics being explored in the current Executive MBA class include corporate governance, power and politics in organizations, and customer metrics.

The Eller Evening MBA program begins January 10, 2008, on the Scottsdale campus, situated just off Loop 101 in the McDowell Mountain Business Park at 16425 North Pima Rd. in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Applications will be accpeted beginning August 1. For priority consideration, prospective students should submit a completed application by October 1. The final application deadline is November 1.

Interested professionals can learn more and register for information sessions at www.elleremba.com/evening or by calling 1-888-Eller-MBA.

The Eller College of Management at The University of Arizona is internationally recognized for pioneering research, innovative curriculum, distinguished faculty, excellence in entrepreneurship, and social responsibility. U.S.News & World Report ranks the Eller undergraduate program #12 among public business schools and five of its departments are among the top 25 — Entrepreneurship, MIS, Marketing, Management and Organizations, and Accounting. The MPA program in the School of Public Administration and Policy ranks in the top 50. Financial Times ranks the Eller MBA full-time program #27 in the U.S. and #57 in the world, and Forbes ranks the program among the top 50 nationwide. The College leads the nation’s business schools in generating grant funds for research. In addition to a full-time MBA program, the Eller College offers an evening MBA program, and the Eller Executive MBA. The Eller College of Management supports more than 5,100 undergraduate and 600 graduate students on the UA campus in beautiful Tucson, Arizona.

Press Contact:
Linda Herrick, Eller College Public Relations and Events Coordinator
520.626.2590, news@eller.arizona.edu