Brandman University Introduces Bachelor and Master of Business Administration Degrees at Campuses in California and Washington State

IRVINE, Calif., May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Brandman University, a fully accredited adult education university within the Chapman University System, today announced the introduction of Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees across campuses in California and Washington State.  The university developed its new business curriculum to meet changing employer needs in a global economy and address gaps in current business degree offerings, particularly in the areas of leadership development, entrepreneurship and sustainability.  

The 50-year-old institution, renamed Brandman University in 2009, is introducing system-wide business degree programs as the shifting global economy and government regulations have changed employer expectations and needs from workers.  In planning the business curriculum, Brandman surveyed both employers and potential students to ensure the program met needs, particularly in the areas of leadership and ethics.  Executive development research has shown that many business programs, particularly MBAs, do not adequately prepare students for the leadership and ethical challenges they will face in their careers.  

In fact, a 2007 study appearing in the Journal of Business Ethics found that only one quarter of the top U.S. business schools require a stand-alone ethics course before graduation, and study authors concluded that ethical decision-making should be incorporated into every course in an MBA program. In response, both the Brandman BBA and MBA degree programs provide students with the tools to evaluate ethical issues, formulate solid business strategies and policy practices and communicate effectively in a global and diverse business environment.  Both degree programs also incorporate organizational leadership as an area of emphasis, extending Brandman's Organizational Leadership degree offerings, which have earned the Outstanding Program Award by the Association of Leadership Educators.  

Brandman's MBA degree program also is one of few to focus on sustainability and innovation as key elements of curriculum.  Although sustainability is a key focus and requirement for many companies and organizations, few MBA degree programs incorporate training on sustainability practices.  The Brandman MBA weaves sustainability into all Brandman MBA courses along with innovation and corporate responsibility.  

Brandman's focus on sustainability extends beyond the curriculum, as the University is launching the Center for Sustainable Living, which will be housed at the Irvine campus.  The Center provides a hub for Orange County's public and private sectors to connect on sustainability initiatives, and Brandman's business students in Orange County will participate in the Center's applied research projects, providing "hands-on" experience in sustainability practices.  Students also can attend guest lectures and seminars hosted by the Center to complement their course work.

In addition to its focus on the critical issues facing today's business leader, Brandman University's reputation as a leader in adult education and its affiliation with the Chapman System has enabled the University to attract some of higher education's best business educators, as well as influential business leaders as faculty to bring strong real-world business application.

A benefit of being a part of the Chapman University System is the collaboration between Chapman and Brandman faculty. Notable faculty include P. K. Shukla, Ph.D., a longtime management professor at Chapman University's George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics.  Dr. Shukla will develop and teach courses for Brandman's business degrees, giving tomorrow's entrepreneurs a distinct advantage, leveraging his experience with Chapman's well-known entrepreneurship programs, which were ranked among the top ten nationally in a survey published by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine.  

Other faculty leaders include Helen Eckmann, Ed.D., whose firm provides leadership development consulting to Fortune 500 companies, and was named the San Diego Business Woman of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) in 2009.  Dr. Eckmann has worked with a number of companies on innovation, supply chain management and integrating sustainability into all aspects of business.  In addition, Janet Cooper Jackson, Ph.D., brings to the Brandman classroom a successful career as an independent consultant specializing in the design, development, delivery and evaluation of training/educational courseware, as well as nearly 15 years of experience with Xerox Corporation in systems management and analysis.

In addition to a robust curriculum and strong faculty, BBA and MBA students also benefit from the support Brandman University provides to its students throughout their academic careers.  Brandman's counselors and academic advisors provide sustained, hands-on guidance to help students succeed – a key factor in Brandman's high graduation rates, measured above the industry average at 68 percent for transfer-to-graduation in four years.

"Brandman University is introducing high-quality, competitively priced BBA and MBA degree programs to help working adults in California and Washington achieve their advancement goals while accommodating their time constraints and unique learning needs," said Brandman University Chancellor Gary Brahm.  "In addition, Brandman's accreditation and high graduation rates are key benefits for working adults who want a degree that will impact their careers."

Classes for the BBA and the MBA programs have begun online and at the Irvine campus. Classes at all other campuses will begin August 30, 2010 and applications for admission are being accepted now.  For more information or to apply to the School of Business and Professional Studies, prospective students can visit www.brandman.edu/business.    

About Brandman University

Brandman University, formerly Chapman University College, is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and focuses on meeting the unique needs of the more than 10,000 working students it serves both online and through 25 campuses in California and Washington. Brandman University is part of the Chapman University system and is known for providing students with more than 200 degrees, credentials, certificates and professional development programs. www.brandman.edu.

About Chapman University

Founded in 1861, Chapman University (www.chapman.edu) is one of California's oldest, most prestigious private universities and is home to over 4,000 undergraduate students and 1,500 graduate students at its home campus in Orange, California.

SOURCE Brandman University