Indiana State University Newsroom

"Small classes," "great faculty accessibility" and affordable tuition are among the benefits of Indiana State University's Master of Business Administration, named by the Princeton Review as among the nation's best for the eighth straight year.

The academic test preparation and admissions counseling company named Indiana State's program in its "Best 295 Business Schools" for 2014. In the listing, students referenced the program's intimate size as another advantage of the program that is "an excellent value for students." The Princeton Review compiled student responses from the past three academic years to determine its final listing of the top business schools in the nation.

"This listing is a continued validation of what we're doing here," said Jeff Harper, executive director of graduate programs in the Scott College of Business at Indiana State. "It's reassuring to have an external independent source validating the good work that we do here and the tremendous quality of our program."

The MBA program "emphasizes strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, organizational change, international business" and group dynamics, the Princeton Review reports.

"We're very proud of our faculty. We have nationally and internationally recognized scholars who are doing fantastic research and creating new knowledge in the business domain," Harper said. "Still, their first love is teaching and being in the classroom and interacting with students. That's a wonderful combination to have, and it's something that we value very highly here."

In addition to the on-campus MBA program, the first cohort of students in the Plainfield-based ProMBA program graduated last summer. The Hendricks County program is intended for professionals with at least five years of experience, and is tailored for professionals who need to balance the demands of family and full-time employment while seeking a credential that will boost their professional prospects.

The cohort that started classes this fall was filled to capacity, Harper said, with several students already being accepted for the cohort starting classes next fall. Students are able to complete the program in two years and receive the same MBA as students taking coursework on the Terre Haute campus. The degree is also very competitively priced, Harper said, particularly when compared to alternate options.

"We're excited about the validation from the community that this program is needed," Harper said. "We're already well underway in filling the seats of our next cohort. We've had a very, very strong response."

The Scott College is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), an accreditation that fewer than 5 percent of the world's business programs receive.

"The Princeton Review's recognition of the Scott College of Business and the MBA program is affirmation of the great value and tremendous opportunities that we provide our students," Dean Brien Smith said. "Our inclusion on such a significant list reinforces that we still provide the tools, resources and education for students to invest in themselves to boost their careers and access opportunities beyond what was previously thought possible."

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Events-by-Year/2013/2013-SMIF-Conference/i-s57zrTL/1/L/10_11_13_SMIF_conference-4600-L.jpg A session during the Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium's inaugural conference in Federal Hall. The Scott College of Business, which has a student managed investment fund group, created the organization, which features more than 15 member universities across the nation who participate. The group is just one of the many examples of organizations that current Indiana State business students can engage in to develop their skills for the workplace.

Photo: http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-vHTBhk9/0/L/i-vHTBhk9-L.jpg Princeton Review seal

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Events-by-Year/2013/MBA-Class-2013/i-zrGZsS3/0/L/June%2006%2C%202013-MBA%20Master%20Class%202013%200742-L.jpg (ISU/Tony Campbell)Indiana State University graduate Will Mansard, far right, talks with several classmates earlier this year during a session in the Professional MBA (ProMBA) program in Plainfield. Mansard pursued his MBA to gain more skills as his career advances. He wanted the business lessons and skills to supplement his background as an engineer.

Contact: Jeff Harper, executive director of graduate programs, Scott College of Business, Indiana State University, 812-237-2279 or jeff.harper@indstate.edu

Writer: Austin Arceo, assistant director of media relations, Office of Communications and marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3790 or austin.arceo-negrich@indstate.edu