Most colleges and universities are content to offer plain vanilla MBA degrees, but the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, has forged ahead with new, sometimes dramatic, degree programs. Consider:
- MBA, (1.5 years)
- MBA/JD, degrees in business and law (4 years)
- MBA/PharmD, degrees in business and pharmacy (5 years)
- MBA/Peace Corps (4 years)
I examined these AACSB-accredited programs in detail, and in each case I was impressed. This is absolutely a first-rate operation.
Notice that the standard MBA program is longer than the plain vanilla program offered by other universities (18 months vs. 12 months). That is because the program is more demanding and covers more material.
The MBA/JD program has been created in cooperation with the McGeorge School of Law. As long as a potential student is accepted by both schools, he or she will end up with both degrees after 4 years.
The MBA/PharmD program is also innovative. This university recognizes that the top executives of major drug store chains often come from the ranks of the pharmacy operations. Thus the two degrees are a natural fit.
The MBA/Peace Corps program is remarkable. After one year of graduate study in business, the student will spend two (count 'em, two) years as a Peace Corps volunteer. Then he or she returns for a final one year of study in business.
Each 3-unit course costs $2,526 (more than the online schools, but worth every penny). However, students who have GMAT scores over 600 and a GPA of 3.25 or higher are eligible for 1/2 tuition remission.
Are you good enough for University fo the Pacific? I hope so. But if not, you can always settle for a lesser known institution, perhaps even an online program.
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