The Anderson School of Management is starting a new master's program aimed at students who have an undergraduate degree in business.
The Accelerated Master of Business Administration program is a response to a significant increase in the number of MBA applications at universities across the country, according to a news release from the school.
Interim Dean Amy Wohlert said in the release that the state of the economy is encouraging people to go back to college for an MBA.
"It's not surprising that enrollments in MBA programs increased during previous economic declines," she said. "Heading back to school now for a graduate degree is the right choice for anyone wanting to have the right skills when the job market and economy rebound."
The accelerated program is offered specifically for students who have graduated within the last five years, according to the release. Those students can choose to waive up to 24 credit hours of core management classes and complete their degree in 12 months.
John Benavidez, a marketing lecturer, said the program will help students with bachelor's degrees come back to school.
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"The program is designed to help students get back to school and get their MBAs in a shorter amount of time than our regular program," he said. "Although people might say that they are unsure about wanting to go back into debt in today's economy, right now is the time to do it, because as soon as the economy rebounds, it is going to be the people with degrees that are going to profit."
Benavidez said having an undergraduate degree is not enough to succeed in today's market.
"Having an undergraduate degree right now is kind of like what having a high school diploma was like years back," he said.
Benavidez said the program is a welcome addition to the Anderson School of Management.
"I definitely think that the program is needed," he said. "The accelerated program doesn't add more stress for teachers, as there is already room for these classes designed into the college."
The marketing plan for this new program was designed by students in the Anderson School of Management.
Senior Chris Fortson, who helped market the program, said it was a great experience.
"Management 490 is probably the best class offered at UNM," Fortson said. "Being able to really have a client and work with the program is incredible."
Fortson said he did much of the graphic design work for the program, created a Web site and hosted an open house.
"The Web site that we created is up about 200 percent from where we first had it," he said. "The open house, which had around 180 people attend, was a huge help to the program."
