Hodges University offers a Customized MBA

by Teresa M. Araque

Earning a Master’s degree in Business Administration  (MBA) carries with it an added status of expertise in the business world. Hodges University offers this degree to those who wish to specialize in an area. “As the business world continues to evolve, we have taken our MBA degree and added areas of concentration that we have found to be in demand,” said Dr. Dee Batiato, Dean of the Johnson School of Business at Hodges University. “These extra layers of concentration address the needs of businesses today and tomorrow.”

All who choose to earn their MBA from Hodges University can select from four different tracts: Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination, General Business, Information Systems, and Visual Communication. “These concentrations allow our students to not only understand the business world on a deeper level, but also within the concentration they choose,” added Dr. Batiato. “This also opens  career possibilities that can expand beyond being a Chief Executive Officer or a Chief Technology Officer.”

Core classes include Managerial Accounting and Finance, Leaders and Managers for the 21st Century, Business Strategy and Decision Making, Applied Economics, and Financial Analysis. From there, the concentrations feature classes that focus on those areas of desired expertise. Classes include
Advanced International Environment, Forensic Accounting, Issues and Trends in IT Management, Economic Development, and Visual Communication Theory.

“We understand the challenges that our students face when they make the decision to go to college and get their MBA,” said Dr. Batiato. “Many of our students are balancing the demands of a full-time job and family. Because of this, we offer our degrees completely online, and with our monthly class starts, they take just one class at a time. That allows them to focus on assignments and exams from one class, and not multiple classes.

Our monthly class format also helps them graduate faster.” Dr. Batiato added that the small class sizes are especially appealing to students.“Even when our students are taking classes online, the class sizes are small and our faculty make themselves available to answer questions,” she said. “I’m proud that our faculty are business leaders that bring real world experience to the class. Our students benefit because what they learn goes beyond what is taught in a book. They engage our students in  discussions that are thought provoking and applicable to the business world.”

Hodges’ MBA degree has earned several accolades in the past few years alone. They include being named a Top 25 Best MIS Degree Online Program, being named one of the Top Business Schools in Southwest Florida, and named one of the 30 Most Affordable Master’s in Public Administration
Online at Private Colleges. Additionally, the business degrees at Hodges are accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

“We want our students to graduate with the knowledge and skills that allow them to make an immediate and positive impact,” said Dr. Batiato. “The most rewarding aspect is sharing our passion and knowledge for business with our students.”

For more information about the master’s in accounting degree, visit Pathways.Hodges.edu