PSU Online MBA+ Program

How does the Online MBA+ differ from other PSU MBA programs?

The program combines computer and Internet-based technologies with short, intensive weekend campus residencies. Students come to campus four times per academic year. Most course content and interaction takes place via the web. Other technologies including CD-ROM, videotape, interactive TV, etc. are used when appropriate.

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What happens during the campus residencies?

The campus residencies are scheduled to occur four times each academic year. There is one Friday-Saturday meeting during each term (fall, winter and spring). These visits focus on lectures, presentations, group work and team building with your professors and members of your class and cohort. The campus residencies are an essential and integral part of learning and so are considered mandatory. Exceptions to attendance will only be made under conditions of extreme personal hardship.

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How are electives handled in the program?

Students in other PSU MBA cohorts may choose from a range of courses to meet the 16 available elective credit hours. In a distance learning program such as this, it is not possible to offer all of the same elective courses each term as are available on campus. Therefore, a pre-selected group of courses covering a range of subjects will be available to Online MBA+ students. Students may substitute other electives by enrolling in campus courses, transferring courses from other approved and accredited grasuate programs or by making special arrangements with professors.

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Since this is a distance education program, what other services will PSU provide?

Our Online MBA+ students have access to the same core services that campus-based students enjoy including library, financial aid, career and disability services, educational discounts on computers and software, web-based email accounts, and more.

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How do I know if online learning is right for me?

The PSU Online MBA+ program is designed to get the most out of available instructional technologies and methods combined with intensive face-to-face classroom sessions. Nevertheless, participating in courses in a primarily online environment often requires students to be highly self-motivated, disciplined, efficient with their time and very comfortable with non-synchronous, electronic communications. If you are the type of learner who believes that it is impossible to study, learn and meaningfully interact unless you are face-to-face with professors and students on a weekly basis, then this may not be the program for you.

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What kind of hardware, software and connections do I need to participate in the program?

Online delivery of course content and interaction between students and with professors takes place using a web-based course management system called WebCT. WebCT provides a powerful and sophisticated e-learning environment. The WebCT platform includes many educational tools to assist students in communicating and collaborating with fellow students and faculty, and enhancing the learning experience. In order to use WebCT and other computer-based educational technologies, students must have unrestricted access to a computer with an Internet connection. Additional hardware and software requirements are shown on this link.

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How much does the Online MBA+ program cost?

The base tuition of $238/credit hour for the Online MBA+ program is identical to the base tuition (tuition without fees) charged for other graduate programs at PSU. Students taking Online MBA+ courses do not pay regular campus fees but, instead, must pay a $75/credit hour distance learning fee. In addition, the School of Business Administration charges a $35/credit hour student resource fee. The total per credit hour Online MBA+ Program tuition plus fees for the 2006/2007 academic year is anticipated to be $348 per credit hour. Tuition rates and fees are subject to change without notice.
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Where can I find more information about the program?

Call: 1-800-547-8887 ext. 8001 or 503-725-8001
Visit: SBA Room 230. Corner of SW Broadway and SW Harrison
Email: johnst@sba.pdx.edu
Surf: http://www.emba.pdx.edu

What is the campus residency policy?
Students in the eMBA program are required to attend all of the campus residencies. Excused absences are only allowed in the event of an extreme personal or family emergency. This includes such things as serious personal illness or injury or a serious emergency, illness or death in the family. This is a very strict policy because of the critical importance of the residencies. The two most important reasons that the residencies are a critical part of the program are academic quality and accreditation. We believe that the opportunity to meet with others in your cohort and interact with them as well as the instructors is an essential component of maintaining the high educational quality standards set by the School. Missing one campus session would, essentially, be the equivalent of missing approximately 20% of a campus-based class. In addition, the regional and national organizations that accredit the institution and the program require us to adhere to this structure.

Final decisions regarding the effects or consequences of unexcused absences from the campus sessions will be at the discretion of the course instructor. Course instructors may impose penalties including but not limited to reducing the student’s overall course grade or assigning an “X” (no basis for grade” or “I” (incomplete) as the course grade.

The PSU Online MBA+ is a self-support educational program. If insufficient enrollment or other conditions require canceling or postponing the start of a new cohort, applicants will be notified as soon as possible and all university fees (excluding fees to take the GMAT) will be unconditionally refunded.

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