Many Options, One MBA

by Eric Hirst
Associate Dean of Graduate Programs
This summer I assumed a new role at McCombs. In addition to my role as professor of accounting, I am now the associate dean for graduate programs—the MBA dean. My responsibility as dean is to develop and protect the MBA brand at McCombs—a degree that we now offer through a full menu of options. Each program has unique advantages to students and all confer the same degree—an MBA that grants recipients the privilege of calling themselves UT MBAs for a lifetime and identifies them as influential business leaders.

Traditionally, the “MBA experience” meant taking two years away from work, usually early in one’s career, to return to school full time. This hiatus permitted students to shift gears in their career. Others opted to delve deeply into a specialized area.

New MBA Options
Many years ago, business schools, including McCombs, added a second MBA option—the Executive MBA—for students with more work experience and whose career responsibilities prevented them from taking an education hiatus. These programs turbo-charge an executive’s career, connecting them with decision makers at other organizations and providing them with strategic tools to lead their own teams. Our Austin-based Executive MBA was a big success, and a decade ago we began a third MBA program—the Executive MBA in Mexico City.

Recently, the market shifted again, and interest in MBA programs for working professionals has skyrocketed. McCombs responded to this nationwide trend with three programs for working professionals: an evening program in Austin and weekend programs in Dallas and Houston.

This response puts McCombs at the forefront of MBA education—six options, three student profiles, and one respected degree. While there are some obvious differences between the programs—including location, student career status, and opportunities for specialization—what’s more striking are the similarities.

Common Experiences
Across our array of MBA options, all of our students learn from UT Austin faculty, some of the world’s top business minds who teach cutting-edge knowledge that is theoretically grounded and practically relevant. No matter the time or location, McCombs faculty deliver the knowledge.

Across every option, MBA students develop close relationships with their classmates because of our successful cohort system. This system creates meaningful, lifelong relationships, and contributes to our renowned collegial and collaborative academic atmosphere.

And, of course, all of our MBA students join the McCombs Alumni Network, a group of more than 15,000 men and women worldwide whose successes make the news daily. We work diligently to ensure that the value of their degree is enhanced by those who join the network.

The landscape has evolved over the last 5 to 10 years. At the beginning of the decade, our full-time program had seven cohorts (groups of roughly 65 students) per class, or an enrollment of around 900 students. By contrast, the number of students in all of our other MBA programs, combined, was around 200. Just over five years later, the ratio has flipped, reflecting a change seen nationwide in the way students are approaching graduate business education.

Creating Leaders
Today, we are in a terrific position. Our successful full-time program has smaller classes so we can offer more personal attention every step of the way.

Our executive programs continue to flourish, providing seasoned executives with the boost they need to attain the C-suite. Our programs for working professionals provide top quality general management education to individuals that want to apply what they learn immediately. Companies seeking to employ our graduates have a rich pool of candidates, and alumni see their network grow with colleagues they can be proud of.

Regardless of which program a student chooses, the degree is the same: a highly regarded MBA from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. Through innovative program models, an outstanding faculty, and a keen awareness of the evolution of business education needs, McCombs continues to do what we’ve done for decades—create influential business leaders.