MBA Options Now in Tampa

June 08, 2012

The new, One-Year International & Experiential MBA program will begin in September with classes conducted at the university’s Tampa Education Center, at 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd. in the Channelside area. The program is a particularly good choice for young people with bachelor’s degrees who want a career in the corporate sector. “At many companies, entry-level positions require the MBA degree. You need the internship piece and international exposure,” said Dr. Lorrie McGovern, director of the MBA Program at the Donald R. Tapia School of Business. “This is what the students need in order to succeed.”

Students are required to complete 42 academic credit hours in this program. They will take daytime classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with courses covering the traditional subject matter, including economics, finance, accounting, human resources, organizational behavior, information systems and management, marketing, and global business management.

Wednesdays will be devoted to trips to local companies and sessions with guest speakers––events that will highlight the program’s international emphasis––in additional to time set aside for group study and projects. Mondays and Fridays will be left open for students to work at internship sites for academic credit, although they may also work internship hours into other times of the week. An academic advisor will work with companies and students to coordinate the internship placements.

In the summer of 2013, the academic coursework will culminate in a weeklong study trip to Rio, Brazil, and surrounding areas. Related academic presentations will be completed upon the students’ return.

One of the distinctions between the International & Experiential Program and Saint Leo’s general MBA program is the required internship component with the International & Experiential Program. That difference boosts the total credit hours required to 42, compared with 36 credit hours for the standard MBA program. The standard program is suited to working business professionals who wish to advance in their careers.

To serve that population of prospective learners, Saint Leo will begin offering the 36-hour MBA Program in Tampa in Spring 2013. Classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursdays, and semesters will follow an eight-week schedule. Students will complete their degrees in two years.

“It’s exciting that we’re bringing these graduate programs to the Tampa location. It provides more opportunities for those in the greater Tampa area to continue their education with us,” said Dr. Beth Carter, Saint Leo associate vice president for continuing education.

The tuition for the One-Year International & Experiential Program is set at $27,342, with that sum including travel costs for the trip to Brazil, as well as local corporate visits. The tuition for the general MBA program is $14,688. Textbooks will be an additional cost. More information is available by calling (813) 226-2778, or by e-mailing brian.steele02@saintleo.edu.