Simon Business School Redesigns MBA Curriculum

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Nov. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Simon Business School at the University of Rochester has redesigned its MBA curriculum and support services for full-time students starting fall 2019. The redesigned curriculum and co-curricular activities emphasize the analytical skills required to operate in an increasingly data-driven business environment, and the management skills to successfully lead diverse teams across the globe.

There are three major areas of innovation within Simon's MBA: redesigning the curriculum around areas of specialization; restructuring the clubs, student experiences and opportunities for electives to support the student's career search; and offering an option for STEM designation for all specializations. 

"Our redeveloped MBA curriculum is designed to advance a student's career," said Andrew Ainslie, dean of the Simon Business School. "Simon students will be introduced to more electives during the first year and throughout their tenure, which leads to a better prepared candidate for employers."  

Areas of Specialization
When students arrive on campus, they will have the option of specializing in one of 10 areas within three core business verticals: finance, marketing and consulting. Finance specializations include asset management, banking, corporate finance and venture capital and private equity. Marketing specializations include brand management and product management. Consulting specializations include operations, pricing, strategy and technology. There are also several minors available for students who wish to appeal to secondary areas of interest.

Based upon a student's selection, a customized plan is built for the student, with a recommended sequence of core and elective courses, a project-based course, student clubs and organizations, all of which are complementary within a student's area of specialization. Elective courses support the development of soft skills to complement the tailored curriculum and prepare students to meet the needs of today's diverse, global environment.

"This gives our students laser-like focus on helping them achieve career ambitions," said Greg Bauer, associate dean of full-time programs. "In a crowded MBA marketplace, tailoring one's education to their career goals just makes sense."

Integrated Student Experience
Along with making structural changes to the curriculum, the Simon Business School is launching the Integrated Student Experience, which helps students build upon their coursework. When a student arrives at Simon, they will be matched with students whose career interests match their own along with advisors and alumni who will meet regularly to share career experiences and insights.

The end result is an experience that builds upon coursework in the classroom, various co-curricular activities and leadership projects, and connects the work to further career exploration and the job search. 

"The Integrated Student Experience is designed to be a parallel program that integrates the student's coursework with their co-curricular activities such as the professional clubs. The goal is to have their entire experience at Simon focused on their career search. We have also added experiential learning opportunities and international immersion trips that are tailored to help prepare them for career advancement," said Bauer.

"Students come to business school because they want to invest in themselves," said Angela Petrucco, assistant dean of the Jay S. and Jeanne Benet Career Management Center. "These changes help our students become focused on what is truly most important for them, which is landing a great job after graduation." 

STEM Designation 
During the redesign of the MBA program, Simon Business School applied for STEM-designation status. Designation was awarded in August 2018, making Simon the only business school in the country with a STEM option for each of its specializations. 

"For 50 years, Simon Business School has been known for our focus on analytical problem-solving and for applying an economic lens to business," said Andrew Ainslie. "Achieving official STEM designation for our full-time MBA program was a natural next step for Simon."  

SOURCE Simon Business School