CU MBA program broadens exec?s expertise

Business Report Correspondent

DENVER–When Drew Glassman was searching for a program offering a master’s degree in business administration, he wanted to continue climbing the corporate ladder without taking time off from work.

Glassman, who at that time was senior manager of corporate accounting at U S West (now Qwest), found the type of program he was looking for at the University of Colorado.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Select your Republic Services residential cart now!

In preparation for Republic Services becoming the primary provider of residential recycling, yard trimmings, and trash, residents should now select the best cart size and service schedule for their household needs.

“I was looking for a program where I could get my MBA and broaden my business horizons,” he said. “I also wanted to continue working at the same time.”

The CU Executive MBA Program combines resources from its three campuses in Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver. Students attend classes one day a week in lower downtown Denver in CU’s executive center.

A working professional like Glassman is the type of student the executive programs attracts. The program’s content and structure are different than a traditional program.

“In the Executive MBA, our students are mid-career professionals,´ said Scott Guthrie, director of executive programs for CU. “On average they have 17 years experience, but the minimum is 10 years. They all have management and decision-making experience.”

Because the students have management experience, the executive program focuses on what a decision-maker needs to know compared to a traditional master’s program where the focus is on knowledge the practitioner needs. In the executive program, for example, an accounting class would emphasize accounting skills a manager should know.

The program is designed for students like Glassman who want to work and attend school at the same time. Students attend class all day Friday one week and meet on Saturday the following week.

“The employer needs to support the student so they can spend a day at class,” Guthrie said. “We think it’s a better situation than going to school at night.”

Students attend classes for 18 months with a three-month summer break. In addition to receiving their degree in less than two years, students pay a premium price for a package that includes additional support. Guthrie said anything non-academic such as registering for class and buying books is done for the students. The price for fall 2001 is $43,500, which includes the extra support, tuition, books and an international trip.

Guthrie said about 70 percent of students get support from the companies they are working for. There are about 40 students in each graduating class. While the majority are traditional business employees, the program attracts attorneys, architects, physicians, engineers and entrepreneurs.

“It’s a select group of students who are looking for specific skills and knowledge that focus in on where they are in their careers,” Guthrie said. “What they are looking for is how to think strategically, develop their leadership skills and understand how a business operates.”

About 10 percent on average from each class may start a new company, Guthrie added. When considering the number of alums going to work for new companies they weren’t part of creating, the number is about 20 percent.

Despite a few students starting companies in various areas like software, staffing and catering, a majority like Glassman are with an organization that allow the graduate to move up within the company. The program broadens the graduate’s options because it gives them knowledge of other areas of business they weren’t familiar with.

Glassman said his strengths were in finance and accounting but going through the program, he gained knowledge in other areas by taking courses in operations, marketing, law and international business.

During the program, students are required to take two international courses and visit a foreign country where English isn’t the dominant language. Students set up meetings with companies in the countries they travel to.

“It gave me a larger appreciation of the general business process within Qwest,” Glassman said. “It has helped in my career.”

Chasson Abeyta, director of finance for Channelpoint Inc. in Westminster, said she also gained experience in other aspects of business. “I was looking to add depth and academic credentials to my business background,” she said. “It gave me understanding of the other business disciplines.”

One of the main benefits of the program is learning from other professionals in the students’ study group.

“I gained a lot from my class participation with fellow professionals from a variety of industries,” Glassman said. “Their real-life experiences are what has worked for them.”

After graduation, alums like Glassman often move on to other positions. Glassman became Qwest’s assistant controller since graduating in 1999.

Abeyta, who was the Regional Transportation District’s treasurer when she entered the program, also believes the program helped her move forward. “I felt confident to seize the opportunity to move forward,” she said.

Guthrie said the highly motivated people that finish the program take their business and work skills to a new level.

“Not only do we give them skills and take their experiences and put it into perspective,” he said. “They leave here with a thorough understanding of how businesses operate. A person leaves the program with a higher level of confidence in their abilities to lead organizations.”