Acknowledgements

Why an MBA? Individuals make the decision to pursue an advanced degree for a number of reasons. According to a recent article in U.S. News and World Report, these reasons may include new skills, higher pay, career advancement, and the love of learning. Regardless of the reason, one must consider the value and the costs associated with obtaining an MBA. With the unemployment rate at the lowest since 1970, some college graduates may consider an advanced degree to be more costly than beneficial. According to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, job opportunities for graduates with a bachelor’s degree increased by 10 percent in 1999. Additionally, starting salaries rose by 4.8 percent. This may help explain why, after years of continued growth, enrollment in graduate programs has declined within the past several years. Is this national trend indicative of the enrollment at Columbus State University? According to Dr. Carolyn Cartledge, Director of Institutional Research, the total number of graduate students enrolled in fall 1997 at CSU totaled 821. However, the total number of graduate students enrolled in fall 1998 was 680, a decrease of 141 students. In fall 1999 the number declined even further to 633 enrollees. With the increase in job opportunities for individuals with a bachelor’s degree and the increase cost of education some may wonder why bother with an MBA. While an undergraduate degree may be sufficient in today’s economic environment to secure that first professional job, a graduate degree may be necessary to advance within the ranks. Unlike years past when an advanced degree was considered a luxury, many of today’s professionals, particularly business professionals, may find it difficult to advance in their career without the benefit of an MBA. Why the change? In a word, technology! Technology and the global economy have changed the needs of many of today’s employers. Employers and employees are both recognizing the value of continuing education. For instance, the average master’s applicant is now a working woman in her 30s attending school on a part-time basis. More than one-half of all graduate students are over the age of 30, while almost one-quarter are over 40. Who are these individuals? They are today’s established professionals seeking advancement. When examining the statistics and weighing the options, it is clear that while an undergraduate degree may provide today’s professionals with an excellent starting point, it is the graduate degree that may provide them with a means of advancing within their career and securing a more rewarding tomorrow.