The College of Business Administration’s BBA+ program, long a popular option for working professionals, recently concluded another set of graduations: forty students in the 26th group of the BBA+ Weekend in February, 30 from the 6th Sunrise offering in April and 50 from the 27th BBA+ Weekend in May. Students and faculty were honored for their achievements and contributions at each festive gathering.
Valedictorian of the group graduating in May, Manuel Lopez (BBA ’10), sales rep, Buckeye International, had no choice about getting his bachelor’s degree—it was a requirement of the job. But what about his choice of where to get that necessary degree?
“The Professional BBA was the only way for me to go to school,” he said. “Because of its structure, I knew I would have the courses I needed when I needed them, and be able to graduate in the quickest amount of time.”
Beyond the convenience, Lopez, like so many other students in the program, formed strong ties with his group, calling them “an extension of my family, versus meeting strangers in classes,” and crediting them with “lifting up my spirits and helping me not give up. I am valedictorian because of them.”
Program undergoes refinements, expands experiences for students.
Enrollment numbers for fall 2010 are robust and future groups will experience some interesting changes.
“We have renamed the program the Professional BBA, which we feel better reflects the times,” said Cliff Perry, faculty director, noting that the Chapman Graduate School offers a Professional MBA.
In addition, the weekend option has been updated to make it even more convenient. Like the Sunrise offering, elapsed time is 18 months, down from 21 months, and the program incorporates online technology to significantly reduce class time.
Also new in 2010: a study abroad. A 42-person group comprising students, trip leader Doreen Gooden; Sonia Verdu from the Center for International Business Education (CIBER), which helped organize the trip; and Angie Letona, coordinator, Professional BBA programs, traveled to Spain, Italy and France.
