WKU News

Students graduating from WKU’s Gordon Ford College of Business Professional MBA program (PMBA) recently scored in the 99^th percentile (Top 1%) on the comprehensive national assessment of MBA programs in 2016. In the previous two testing cycles, PMBA students ranked in the Top 5% nationally. Further, the Online MBA program earned a 93^rd percentile (Top 7%) in 2016 after scoring in the Top 10% in prior years.

The exam assesses mastery of concepts, principles, and knowledge in the various areas of business: economics, marketing, management, finance, managerial accounting, and strategic integration.

Bob Hatfield, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research for the Gordon Ford College of Business, said the MBA program implemented the national exam several years ago as one tool in an overall assessment and improvement plan for the MBA program.

“We can see from the very high achievements of our students that we are creating an environment where our students are learning the material that employers expect from MBA graduates.  We examine each delivery program, whether online, weekend, or traditional format, as well as evaluate the learning in each content area. This has led to excellent discussions about fine-tuning our curriculum.”  Hatfield noted that the national comparisons are important.  “When WKU is ranked regularly in the Top 10% and better when compared to the MBA programs around the U.S. you know that WKU is offering one of the top MBA programs in the region and beyond.  For instance, I know of no other program in Kentucky with scores this high.”

The exam consists of 124 multiple-choice questions, half of which are based on short case-study scenarios, and employ materials such as diagrams, graphs, and statistical data. The test isn’t something that students can cram for; they prepare for each concept as they move along in the MBA program, said a student.

GFCB students do well on this exam because of the applied, focused curriculum focused on essential business courses taught by a world-class faculty who boast professional experience.

Students have three formats from which to choose when completing the MBA: Professional, Online, and Full-Time. Go to www.wku.edu/mba for more information.