MBA Program ranked

By Ryan Martin

Published Sept. 21, 2007

The MU College of Business Crosby MBA Program jumped into The Wall Street Journal's Top regional MBA rankings at No. 28.

The rankings, part of The Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive Business School Survey, were published in the Sept. 17 issue of the journal.

The journal notes that schools in the regional ranking "tend to draw many of their recruiters from their local regions." The schools were reviewed by 4,430 company recruiters, who examine 21 attributes while evaluating past and future recruiting at that school.

Crosby MBA Program Director Michael Christy said he is enjoying the exposure that the college is getting.

"It's just a reflection of how well my entire staff has worked in a unified effort for constant improvement," he said.

The data used for the rankings was developed by Harris Interactive Inc. Harris Interactive's Web site states this study provides a "well-rounded understanding of recruiter perceptions toward business school talent and the characteristics they consider most important when hiring graduates."

"This high national ranking in the analysis carried out by The Wall Street Journal indicates that MU's MBA program produces graduates who meet and exceed the expectation of employers," College of Business Dean Bruce Walker stated in a Sept. 19 news release.

Christy said he finds the recognition "very satisfying."

"The Journal is the newspaper of record for business, therefore it has a very prestigious standing," he said.

The Crosby MBA Program also gained the attention of Forbes magazine earlier this month, ranking No. 46 on their 2007 Best Business Schools list based on return on investment.

The recent success might also be attributed to the college's implementation of an updated strategic plan. Christy said the Crosby MBA Program remained a top priority for the college through both plans, but a new curriculum is being developed for Fall 2008.

He said the new curriculum will include a wider variety of electives. The program will also continue to emphasize business analytical skills and the professional development program.

"We hope to improve the rigor of the program," Christy said. "We're very focused on providing students the skill set in business analysis that will enable them to be very successful in their first positions."

This new curriculum, supplemented with the continued development of the Crosby MBA Program, could help with the program's recruiting. Christy said the college is trying to attract a wider group of people to the program.

Having students with diverse academic backgrounds gives the program alternative points of view, Christy said.

"Most business issues are complex because they're difficult to solve," he said. "If you have more diversity, you get a better solution."