and
Joint MBA Program
By
Dr. Kuang-Wei Wen, Chair
Information Systems Department, UW-La Crosse
11/2/2011
1
Outline
The 7-River Region
Program History and Current Status
Program Objectives
The Joint MBA Program
Strengths
Curriculum Design
Curriculum Structure
Program Timeline
Program Costs
Admission Requirements
Application Procedure
Q & A
11/2/2011
2
The 7-River Region: Location
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=44.39639142949104~89.2963533103466&lvl=6&sty=r&where1=La%20Crosse%2C%20WI
 Chicago: 300 miles (480 km); 4.5 hrs by car
 Minneapolis: 160 miles (256 km); 2.5 hrs by car
 Milwaukee: 210 miles (336 km); 3 hrs by car
 Madison: 140 miles (224 km); 2 hrs by car
New Orleans: 1,000 miles (1,600 km); 8 days by boat!
11/2/2011
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Program History and Current Status
Program founders: Dr. Wen and Dr. Wang
Program Inception: Fall 2007
First Class: Fall 2008 – 1 Student
Second Class; Fall 2009 – 6 students
Third Class: Fall 2010 – 1 student
Fourth Class: Fall 2011- 3 students
Fifth Class: Fall 2012 – many students?
10/2/2011
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Program Objectives – 4 P’s
 Prepare students for positions of
responsibility in business, education, and
government.
 Produce managers who can address
business issues across functional areas.
 Provide a rich and rigorous learning
experience built upon strengths of the
participating institutions.
 Promote cultural and intellectual
exchange of the students and faculty.
11/2/2011
5
Strengths of the Joint MBA Program
1. Name recognition (national &
international) of the UW system and the
University
2. AACSB accreditation (25%)
3. Modern and innovative curriculum.
4. Integrative pedagogy and faculty expertise.
5. Small classes and excellent technology
support.
6. Flexibility in coursework (two channels).
11/2/2011
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Curriculum Design
Special Curricular Features:
 A “transposed matrix” design with a
strong focus on managing in a
 Changing technological environment
 an Environmentally and Socially
Conscious World
 a Global Environment
 Training in business research
methodology
Ability to address problems analytically
Provision for advancing to doctoral
degrees
11/2/2011
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** The Design Grid – A Transposed Matrix Approach
Discipline
Changing
Technological
Environment
Global
Environment
Social &
Environmental
Responsibility
Behavioral Skills
Financial Analysis
Operations/Logistics/
Management Science
Information Systems
Marketing
Accounting
Management Integration
11/2/2011
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The Joint Program: Curriculum
•
MBA Foundation Phase (11 topic areas in 9
categories)
1. Financial and Managerial Accounting
Principles (ACC 221, ACC 222)
2. Macro and Micro Economic Principles
(ECO 120, ECO 110)
3. Legal and Ethical Environment of Business
(BUS 205)
4. Information Systems Management (IS 220)
5. Financial Management (FIN 355)
6. Marketing Principles (MKT 309)
7. Organizational Behavior (MGT 308)
8. Production Management (MGT 393)
9. Statistics (MTH 145)
11/2/2011
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The Joint Program: Curriculum
•
MBA Graduate Phase (30 credits: 21 core +
9 elective)
 The Core (7 courses, 30 credits)
1.
BUS 730 (3 cr) Decision Framing and Decision
Making
2. BUS 731 (3 cr) Decision Making in Complex
Environments
3. BUS 735 (4 cr) Research and Decision Making
Methodology
4. BUS 750 (3 cr) Managing in an Environmentally
Conscious World
5. BUS 755 (3 cr) Managing in a Changing
Technological Environment
6. BUS 760 (4 cr) Managing in a Global Environment
7. BUS 790 (1 cr) Assessment of Learning Experience
11/2/2011
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The Joint Program: Curriculum
•
MBA Graduate Phase (30 credits: 21 core +
9 elective)
 The Electives (3 courses, 9 credits; at least 2
graduate level courses)
1. General Electives
2. Concentration Required courses
3. Thesis (1-6 credits)
 Generally satisfied with NKUAS courses !!
11/1/2011
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The Program Timeline
U.S.-La Crosse
1 Year + 1 Summer
11/2/2011
Fall
Spring
Summer
BUS 730 (3)
BUS 735 (4)
MGT 205 (3)
BUS 731 (3)
BUS 750 (3)
BUS 755 (3)
BUS 760 (4)
BUS 790 (1)
10 credits
9 credits
5 credits
12
Program Costs
1. Comprehensive Program Fee:
 $16,000 (2012-2014)
 $17,000 possible for 2014-2016
2. Books and Study Materials:
 $1,000 approx.
3. Living expenses:
 $10,000/year estimated
 Attractive pricing as compared to regular
tuition for the MBA program: $23,500
11/2/2011
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Admission Requirements
1. A U.S. equivalent bachelor’s
degree
2. 2.85/4.00 cumulative GPA, or
3.00/4.00 for the last half
(Avg.=3.40)
3. A satisfactory GMAT score
(Min=450)
4. TOFEL score of 213 (computer
based) or 79 (IBT), La Crosse
Battery score of 80, or IELTS of 6.0
(5.5 can be considered)
10/8/2010
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Application Procedure
Take GMAT
Take TOEFL or IELTS (recommended)
Follow the instructions at:
http://www.uwlax.edu/oie/IA/Graduate/Grad_Adm.htm
to complete the application package.
Pay the $56 application fee and $50 processing fee
to UW-L’s OIE.
Should complete application procedure before
mid-March to receive full consideration.
11/2/2011
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10/8/2010
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