The MBA program is an interdepartmental program, administered by Utah State University’s Huntsman School of Business. The MBA program is designed to enhance students’ skills with principle-based education aligned with the four pillars of the Huntsman School: Analytical Rigor, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Ethical Leadership, and Global Vision. Our program has offered three delivery methods (face-to-face, broadcast, and online) to cater to the different needs of students for balance with regard to career, family, and service responsibilities.

In addition, the MBA program also aligns with the Huntsman School’s mission to develop leaders of distinction in commerce and public affairs. In support of this mission, we have developed a leadership specialization in addition to the business analytics and value creation specializations.

Learning Goals and Objectives

It should be noted that MBA administration in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University indefinitely suspended the on-campus one-year MBA, effective at the end of Spring semester 2022. We do note that the outcomes data currently included does include data from students in this on-campus program. Financial and teaching resources freed up from this program will be used to further strengthen and build our live video-conference broadcast MBA program, our live face-to-face MBA program, and our interactive online MBA programs. By so doing, we will better prepare our graduates for the marketplace, strengthen our Utah State University MBA brand, and enable more students to engage in the Utah State University MBA regardless of location.

The Utah State University MBA program has two different sets of curricula for the on-campus and off-campus programs offered. While the goals and objectives are similar, not all of the courses offered in the on-campus program are offered in the executive program.

MBA Executive and Online Programs

L1: Students will gain an understanding of leadership skills and influence principles.

• L1.1: Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to develop themselves and others as impactful leaders.
• L1.2: Students will demonstrate an understanding of how leaders influence stakeholders and negotiate strategic agreements.
• L1.3: Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to develop themselves as innovative organizational and people leaders.

L2: Students will demonstrate entrepreneurial, sales, and marketing skills to create and promote value.

• L2.1: Students will exercise entrepreneurial/intrapreneurial skills, competencies, and strategies related to the creation of value in new and existing organizations.
• L2.2: Students will understand and utilize strategic sales management skills to create and promote value.
• L2.3: Students will utilize marketing information and tools to create and promote value.

L3: Students will develop analytical skills in accounting, finance, and data analytics.

• L3.1: Students will utilize accounting information to make managerial and leadership decisions.
• L3.2: Students will utilize financial tools and information to make managerial and leadership decisions.
• L3.3: Students will utilize data management, visualization, and analysis tools to inform decision making.

L4: Students will gain an understanding of principles of strategic and global vision.

• L4.1: Students will utilize advanced strategic thinking skills and tools to compete in a global environment.
• L4.2: Students will utilize supply chain strategies and tools to compete in a global environment.
• L4.3: Students will utilize global strategic thinking skills and tools to compete in a global environment.

Outcomes Data

The MBA program receives formal and informal feedback from students and others in an ongoing manner, including regular and ad hoc assessment and feedback both at the course level and program level.

• Student input identified an increase in the need for leadership skills
• Student data shows that students were not cognizant of the rationale for the organization of the curriculum and how various courses tied together
• Student feedback shows that students wanted course assignments that were even more relevant to their work
• Student data reveals that students value real-world application in their courses
• Student assessment identified a need for timely feedback from faculty on assignments
• Student feedback (especially during COVID) clearly shows a need for flexible and safe delivery options (e.g., online options)

Links to outcome data for assessments of specific program objectives are provided below. Users can also hover over each display to obtain more details on the assessments.

MBA: Executive and Online Programs

Closing the Loop & Continuous Improvement

When assessments of program objectives are submitted, the submission form provides an opportunity to add “closing the loop” discussion, including changes that could be made. Our continuous improvement efforts are based on both direct and indirect feedback and assessment data at both the course level (exams, pre/post-tests, etc.) and program level (graduation surveys, student input, etc.).

Within each course, faculty are encouraged to improve their courses based on outcome data and improve their content and teaching based on student performance. We value continuous improvement and embrace new methods of teaching and delivery. Innovation and improvement are consequences of allowing ourselves to experiment based on data and evidence. Exploring new ideas is supported, even if this approach results in temporary failures. We anticipate that such an approach will result in positive changes in student performance.

Based on feedback and input, we have implemented improvements. Examples of these include:

Course Level Improvements

• Incorporated additional cumulative assessments at the end of the course to ensure students understood content
• Created a new cafeteria-style course that allowed Executive MBA students to select assignments that are most relevant to their jobs and accommodate different student learning methods
• Created flexibility in assignments to facilitate students’ diverse backgrounds and for easier application of materials
• Improved the clarity of and timely feedback for coursework
• Engaged students in real-world company projects as part of the course curriculum in order to ensure that students are able to apply theory and models

Program Level Improvements

• Developed three new leadership courses, including:
  • MSLE 6200 Executive Influence
  • MSLE 6645 Innovative and Inclusive Leadership
  • MSLE 6741 Leadership Development
• Created a new Leadership Specialization
• Restructured MBA curriculum around the four pillars of the Huntsman School
• Added a course on global vision to the online and executive program curriculum
• Created a new Online MBA program
• Created 1-Year option in Fall 2020 for MBA students to complete expeditiously