UTEP MBA Optimized: New Professional MBA, Hybrid Executive Programs Roll Out

Last Updated on June 29, 2020 at 12:00 AM

Originally published June 29, 2020

By UC Staff

UTEP Communications

The University of Texas at El Paso’s Master of Business Administration (MBA), long recognized for its high quality and great value, is optimizing its programs to meet the needs of the modern business professional. Rolling out in Fall 2020 are two streamlined delivery formats: the Professional MBA (PMBA) and the hybrid Executive MBA (EMBA).

The University of Texas at El Paso’s Master of Business Administration (MBA), long recognized for its high quality and great value, is optimizing its programs to meet the needs of the modern business professional. Rolling out in Fall 2020 are two streamlined delivery formats: the Professional MBA (PMBA) and the hybrid Executive MBA (EMBA). Photo: Courtesy of UTEP College of Business Administration

These new formats include significant changes in both academic content delivery and flexibility for the working professional.

“This past year, the College of Business Administration embarked upon a number of transformational changes to further strengthen our engagement with the business community,” said James E. Payne, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business Administration. “A major pillar of those changes has been the restructuring of our MBA portfolio. These efforts are part of our ongoing commitment to meeting the educational needs for residents in the region and beyond.”

The PMBA is a fast-track, cohort-style platform that combines quality, convenience and affordability for the region’s advancing professionals. The shortened 36-hour program replaces the Accelerated and Full-Time MBA formats and can be completed in 18 months.

The PMBA is designed for junior to mid-career professionals from a broad spectrum of industries who want to enhance their skills, effectiveness and marketability. PMBA cohorts will consist of working professionals seeking to develop and hone their management expertise. The PMBA format opens the gateway to networking opportunities between professionals in different stages of their career.

The college has also redesigned its EMBA program to better accommodate the busy schedules of those in senior leadership positions with new hybrid online courses.

“We strive to provide a flexible degree program that maintains the integrity of our academic content and value for our students,” said Laura M. Uribarri, assistant dean of the College of Business Administration.

The EMBA is designed for leaders within for-profit, nonprofit and government sectors as well as entrepreneurs who are interested in deepening their strategic management skills and expanding their network of industry professionals. An admission requirement of five years of managerial experience allows EMBA cohorts to analyze academic content with the benefit of their own professional experiences.

Uribarri notes the EMBA draws students from a diverse set of professional industries, including health care, financial services and manufacturing. Past graduates of UTEP’s MBA program have reported career transitions into new roles or organizations and increased involvement with community organizations. 

Cristopher Munoz, a 2017 graduate of UTEP’s Accelerated MBA program who works at GCC as a corporate attorney, praised the research, networking and travel opportunities that came with the program, citing the program’s International Research Course trip to Madrid, Spain, as “life-changing.”

“Networking and learning with my cohort in the classroom was one thing, but taking those experiences abroad really changed my worldview,” Munoz said. “Ultimately, my MBA gave me the tools to grow within my career. It allowed me to leverage my past experiences into a promotion with my employer. Truly a game-changing opportunity for me.”

To learn more about the UTEP MBA program, email coba@utep.edu or visit: http://catalog.utep.edu/grad/college-of-business-administration/business-administration-deans-office/master-of-business-administration/.