Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Lawrence Tech’s MBA International?
Lawrence Tech’s MBA International is specifically developed for mid-level managers who work or aspire to work in organizations that operate across national cultures. The MBA International is designed to broaden and deepen a student’s knowledge of the global economy, the diverse societies that make up today’s world, and how business operates in an international environment.
2. What is the mission of the MBA International program?
The mission of the MBA International is to help develop the next generation of global thinkers and managers by creating a learning environment that includes a deeply humane understanding of the increasingly inter-connected world community.
3. What makes the MBA "International"?
Although a traditional MBA and the MBA International comprise the same core competencies required by our accreditation agencies, the MBA International leverages "globalized" coursework from the University's master degree in Global Leadership and Management. This degree program was designed by Lawrence Tech's College of Management specifically for the U.S. Army's senior civilian managers.The integration of topics from the Master of Global Leadership and Management into the MBA International ensures that a Lawrence Tech MBA International student graduates with a deeper understanding of what it means to be a global citizen living, working, leading and managing in a global community.
4. What is the structure of the MBA International?
Meeting Times: Lawrence Tech’s MBA International can be completed in two years by taking two classes each semester. The flexible schedule offers courses evenings and/or Saturday morning. Many of the courses are hybrid and meet on alternating weeks with distance learning scheduled on the off weeks.
Curriculum: The curriculum consists of 36 credit hours of coursework. Students take nine core courses and three elective courses. Each course is delivered by way of workshops, seminars, exercises, case analysis, and other forms of interactive learning. At the end of each course the student will submit a “reflection” paper designed to summarize the effect of the different pedagogies and modes of learning around the manager/student’s personal and lived experiences.
- Electives in Global Management offer additional exposure to international marketing, international finanance, international law and ethics, in addition to cross-cultural management and communications.
- Electives in Technology and Innovation provide a deeper understanding of sustainability, new product development, innovation in the service sector, building business value in IT, working in virtual environments, and developing global partnerships.
Core Course Work (27 Credits)
Management Control Systems
Acquiring and Managing Financial Capital
Global Leadership and Management
Global Organization Development and Change
Globalization and the New Economy
Building Business Value through IT Innovations
Managing Operations & Global Supply Chain
Marketing Management
Global Business Strategy and Planning
Electives (Select 3 courses for 9 Credits)
Global Management Electives
| International Finance and Investments Managing a Global Workforce International Marketing Management Creating Business Sustainability International Law & Ethics |
Technology & Innovation Electives (under development)
| Managing Technology and Innovation in a Global Society Creating and Managing Service Innovation Managing Innovation and New Product Development Evaluating Emerging Technologies Virtual Collaboration Technologies in Global Environments |
Other Electives
Independent Research in Advanced Topics
International Travel and Study
Any graduate course with permission of an academic advisor
5. How will the student’s learning experience be “assessed”?
A variety of traditional and non-traditional measures will be used throughout the term as well as immediately after each module to assess the effectiveness of the student’s learning experience. These metrics include reports, exercises, papers, team projects, case analysis, presentations, field studies and the like.
6. What is a “reflection” paper?
A “reflection” paper allows the manager/student to find meaning in the learning experience by reflecting at the end of each course to assess and synthesize the learning experiences that have taken place both inside and outside of the classroom in relation to the course objectives and to see how such learning experiences, including shared experiences and competencies of other students, translates into actions in the workplace that impact behavior and results. (Students will be provided guidelines and illustrations of reflective papers)
7. What are the admission requirements for the MBA International?
To be eligible for admission, applicants should:
a. Hold a bachelor or master’s degree (or equivalent) with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited institution.
b. Have a minimum of two years of managerial or supervisory experience.
c. Provide a professional resume.
d. A GMAT is not required for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher for their last sixty hours of undergraduate coursework. For applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0, GMAT or other assessment tool may be required.
e. Take the TOEFL or IELTS if English is not your language. The minimum acceptable performance is 550 on the written TOEFL or 213 on the computerized version. Minimum acceptable IELTS score is 7.0. The TOEFL/IELTS requirement is waived for international students who have completed their degrees at a recognized U.S. University.
8. Why is managerial experience a condition of admission?
The MBA International is designed to leverage in the classroom the student’s maturity, motivation and work experience. With its additional focus on the practice of managing, the MBA International seeks those students who can best appreciate the functional business components of a MBA program. Previous experience allows for the embedding of thoughtful reflection throughout the program, individually and with other managers, which is critical for enhancing the student's learning experience. Students will also consider how the course objectives and learning outcomes will impact their current positions.
9. Is the MBA International an accredited degree program?
Yes. Lawrence Tech’s MBA International is fully accredited by the North Central Association, the International Assembly of Collegiate Business Education, and the Association for Collegiate Business Schools and Programs.
10. Are there foundation requirements?
Students are expected to have a significant working knowledge of business functions such as accounting, economics, law and statistics. This knowledge and understanding can come from prior course work and/or substantial work experience in a functional business area. Students who do not meet these criteria will be required to take classes in these subjects at Lawrence Tech either on ground or via online course work through LTU Online.
11. Can the student take the foundation coursework while attending the program?
Yes. Those students admitted to the MBA International program will be able to satisfy any foundation requirements they may have by taking their foundation course work wihile simultaneously taking their core classes.
12. How is the online component integrated into the student's learning experience?
The online component allows for interaction and engagement between the instructor/facilitator and the student outside of the formal class setting through use of the University's Blackboard learning managment system, open discussion and many other interaction opportunities. This takes place during the other weeks where a couse is offered as a hybrid, that is haf on ground and half online.
13. Will the student’s diploma read MBA International?
The designation "International" will be included on the student's transcript and can be included on the student's resume.
14. What is the cost of tuition and other fees?
Tuition for the program starting in summer 2009 will be the standard graduate credit hour rate as indicated on the Lawrence Tech website. Registration fees, textbooks and the elective of international travel are separate costs.
15. If a student is unable to continue in the MBA International program, can the student’s completed coursework be transferred to the conventional MBA?
Yes. A student may transfer all successfully completed coursework to the conventional MBA after consultation with a program advisor.
16. If a student is currently enrolled in the traditional MBA, can they transfer to the MBA International?
Yes. Assuming that the student meets the admission requirements of the MBA International program, a student may be able to transfer some or all successfully completed coursework to the MBA International with the approval of an academic advisor.
17. Why should a student consider Lawrence Tech’s weekend MBA International?
Since 1998, Lawrence Tech’s College of Management has consistently ranked among the nation’s highest in student satisfaction surveys. This unique program is designed to help managers improve the quality of life in their organizations that will lead to the improvement of the quality of life in the world community. Lawrence Tech's MBA International, with its strong focus on experienced reflection, will provide greater insight on the practice of managing and how managers can bring out the best in others that will make organizations a better place to work and the 21st century a better place to live.