Central Michigan University College of Business Administration

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Students Say - Academics
Central Michigan University offers a comprehensive MBA program with a focus on general management. Students appreciate the fact that "The program is affordable, and offers flexible scheduling though weekend classes and night classes." CMU's "wellstructured… flexible" curriculum begins with a set of foundational and core courses, taught in a series of quick, eight-week terms. While the core is "very broad," students can later pursue a concentration in one of many fields, including accounting, business economics, general management, management consulting, and management information systems. Emphasizing real-world business skills, CMU "allows students to learn through practical applications of techniques," including case studies, simulations, and consulting projects. "Faculty is the greatest strength" here. Well-versed in contemporary business topics, "The graduate level professors in the business school contribute well-researched concepts with real-world practices to provide students with a relevant, practical skill set." CMU offers the complete full-time MBA on its main campus in Mount Pleasant, as well as at its auxiliary facilities in Midland, Michigan. "All MBA classes are in the evenings [and] some on weekends," which makes the program a "great fit for full-time employees." At the same time, the program is appropriate for early career professionals who want to make a move into management positions, and many complete the program on a full-time basis. No matter what your previous professional preparation, the small class size "fosters communication through insightful dialogue between students and faculty" and "really allow[s] students to become more involved in the learning process." In most classes, "Students are willing to engage in thoughtful conversation and challenge the view points of both other students and faculty." With a low graduate enrollment and a patently "friendly atmosphere," CMU's environment is student-centered and supportive. While the workload in some classes can be "very heavy," the teaching staff is "downto- earth and easy to talk to," comprised of caring professors who "truly want what's best for the student." Similarly, "The administration at CMU is very competent and willing to help with an open-door policy to its students."

Students Say - Campus Life
Attracting a mix of "international students, professionals, and full-time students," you might be "surprised at the diversity" on CMU's small, Midwestern campus. "There are a lot of foreign students and it is so cool to get to know people from around the world. You see many of the same faces as you move through the program so you are able to get to know people and make good friendships and networking connections." Across the board, students are "driven and striving for success in the program" and "willing to lend a hand." "There is definitely a small-class, small-school feel" at CMU. The campus is "intimate, friendly, [and] safe," and "it is very easy to feel comfortable and welcome here." "People are very friendly, and good team players." While academics (and professional life) keep students on the go, there is more to CMU than classes and homework. "There are a multitude of clubs and activities for students to join," both through the business school, as well as the university at large. Juggling work and school, some part-timers don't have time to participate in extracurricular activities; others take full advantage of the school's lively atmosphere. A current MBA agrees, "As a married graduate student with a fulltime career, I still find CMU to be engaging both in the classroom and on campus in general. There are plenty of student organizations, activities, and professional networking opportunities to take advantage of." Most part-time students commute to school, while many full-time students live on campus. Unfortunately, campus residents without a car can feel a bit stranded. Happily, the CMU campus provides the necessary amenities, with "plenty of facilities like computer labs, libraries, [and a] student activity center." As its name implies, Mount Pleasant makes a nice backdrop to campus life; "The campus is located in a safe town, so students can freely walk around the beautiful campus and enjoy themselves." During the summer, students also enjoy "kayaking down the Chippewa River, bicycle trails, and events such as home shows and boat shows that are hosted on campus."

Students Say - Careers
Thanks to the school's flexible schedule and convenient evening classes, a large percentage of CMU students are working professionalsâ€"many of whom may not be looking for a new position after graduation. For those starting a new career (or those who want to make a career change), Central Michigan University's MBA program is designed to prepare students for a position in management, with numerous real world and practical experiences woven into the curriculum. The university Career Services department maintains a job vacancy bulletin and hosts campus career fairs; however, students in the MBA program say the school could improve if they "spread more awareness of their programs." With such a strong academic program, students admit that, "CMU could improve how they market themselves as a business school. The quality of the MBA program is an aspect they should take greater steps to express to the nation."

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