By Luis Palomino / Staff Writer

Missouri Valley College is considering a new Master of Business Administration degree program. This MBA degree would be the fifth master’s degree program MoVal offers. While some students see an opportunity to advance their careers, others have raised concerns about cost, prestige and program flexibility.

The MBA program at Valley has already been approved by the board of trustees and is now moving through the state and Higher Learning Commission reviews.  Dr. Cynthia Bice, Vice President of Academic Affairs, said she has already seen the demand for the program:

“Since I´ve been here, the most frequently requested program has been a graduate degree in business,” Bice said. “People are going to institutions close to us, but many would also like to stay here.”

Several questions arise about which professionals would be leading and teaching these programs at a college that is definitely growing up but not yet with the prestige of bigger universities. Students mentioned that they worry that the quality of instructors they could find at MoVal for the MBA might not be comparable to what they can find at other universities.

”My goal is always for an employer to say, ‘I hired an MVC graduate, but it seems like they’ve been in the business for two years!’ You want graduates hitting the ground running, not seeming like beginners.” Bice said. 

Bice also noted that adjunct faculty with international business experience might be incorporated to strengthen the program’s global perspective, considering that it would be a hybrid degree program.

“I would definitely consider an MBA from MVC, but only if there are discounts of financial aid for alumni,” said Ignacio Tkaz, senior marketing student.

The MBA would be offered mainly online, and the goal is to prepare students with the right skills in management, finance and business so they are ready for real-world situations. 

“I want to be sure that the professors have the right experience to teach at that level and that the whole program will actually enhance my resume,” said M. Ferraro, junior business student.

There is no tentative date for the MBA program launching, but Bice mentioned the importance of taking time to do something right.

“To create anything new, you need many voices at the table to meet students’ needs, locally and globally,” she said. “The challenge is that it takes time, but unless the house is on fire, we will make sure it is done right.”