Smithfield, R.I.—Sept 17, 2012—Bryant University announced three new MBA specializations, a new MBA course that includes a study-abroad component and a new undergraduate major.
The specialized MBAs are offered in global supply chain management (GSCM), global finance and international business. (A GSCM major for undergraduates pursuing a Bachelor of Science in business administration or international business also has been introduced.)
“Bryant University’s focus on delivering an education with an international perspective is part of our strategic plan,” said Michael R. Cooper, Dean of the College of Business. “These newest MBAs and undergraduate programs are a natural extension of our mission to deliver an exceptional education that prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace.”
In addition to the specializations, the MBA program offers the Global Immersion Experience (GIE), a new three-credit MBA course that includes 10 to 12 days of international travel.
“The redesigned MBA curriculum reflects the needs of companies that hire our MBA graduates,” said Sam Beldona, Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Business. “Introducing these specialized areas of study and integrating them with a domestic and an overseas consulting project will clearly give our students an advantage.”
The first GIE will take place this January in South America. While there, the students, who will have been working on a consulting project for senior executives at international firms and governmental agencies, will present their recommendations.
“The GIE helps our MBA students gain an appreciation and understanding of the complexities that companies face in today’s global environment,” said Kristopher Sullivan, Assistant Dean of the Graduate School of Business. “Their experiences with the international firms will equip them with knowledge and skills that will differentiate and allow them to excel in a crowded marketplace.”
The Bryant MBA curriculum offers students an interdisciplinary approach. The GSCM specialty, for example, “uses a process approach to integrate the key functions of marketing, logistics, operations management, computer information systems, accounting and finance within and across businesses,” said Teresa McCarthy, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing and GSCM Program Director.
Such an approach is available at Bryant because of the faculty’s wide range of business expertise spanning numerous disciplines, confirmed David A. Louton, Professor of Finance and Associate Dean of the College of Business.
“Their extensive experience, coupled with research and teaching in such places as China, India, Korea, Australia, Chile and eastern and western Europe, bring a global perspective into the classroom,” Louton said.
The MBA in international business builds on Bryant’s undergraduate International Business (IB) program, currently ranked 27th in the nation by Bloomberg/Businessweek. IB is among the University’s fastest-growing undergraduate academic programs, confirmed Madan Annavarjula, Ph.D., Associate Professor of International Business and Director of the IB program. Enrollment more than doubled between 2006 (with 150 students) and 2012 (with 322 students), he added.
