Arizona State University MBA Program Guide

One of the great advantages of the program is your ability to have a concentration in a function of your choice. You can choose from one of the following:

 

• Analytics
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Health Care Management
• Information Management
• Marketing
• Sports Business
• Supply Chain Management

 

Before I even stepped on campus I heard of the great reputation of the Career Management Center. I decided I wanted to take full advantage of the resources it offered from the very beginning. The Career Consultants were very attentive and personal, helping me with customized feedback and advice on how to improve my chances with potential employers. They took the time to understand my background, potential and fit for various roles, functions and companies. A few of the options they offer are:

• Career Leadership Courses
• Resume Feedback
• Mock-Interviews
• Corporate Relationships

To understand the people you will be having class discussions with and building a network with, looking at the class profile will give you a sense of your potential classmates. It will also let you know what you are competing against to get into the program. Some stats below for the Day-time class of 2016. For other platforms, see the class profile page.

 

• Class size: 119
• Acceptance rate: 14%
• Average GMAT score: 682
• Work Experience: 6 years

One of the most important factors in looking for a MBA program is understanding what companies recruit from the school to get a sense of where you can go once you graduate. In my experience, I was able to attend an information session for Bank of America and network through alumni at that meeting to not only get interview tips, but land an offer!

ASU has a lot of connections to large corporations, like the following:

 

• Amazon
• American Airlines
• American Express
• Apple
• Bank of America
• Chevron
• E & J Gallo
• Gap
• Henkel
• Intel
• Johnson & Johnson
• Mattel
• PetSmart
• Raytheon
• Tesla

The Full-Time Day Program is called Forward Focus. You are in a lock-step schedule with other classmates and everyone takes the same 20 + core courses of your 60-hour requirements.

Schedule wise, the program is divided into four quarters per academic year with quarter one in August, two in October, three in January and four in March. The course schedule gives you an idea of what topics you will cover.

Summer is open for your required internship.

One of the biggest measures of success is the employment rate three months after graduation and ASU has a strong 95% as of 2016. The average salary was $102 K. The Tech industry is by far the lions share of industry composition for the class at nearly 40%. It is no surprise with the Supply Chain brand the school has that more than half are in that function. See the site for more details.

The Evening Program or Professional Flex provides a different platform for professionals at different stages and that have different career goals. Typically, most people don’t switch careers from this type of program as they stay with their current employer and don’t do an internship. The academic schedule is set around work hours so that you can remain gainfully employed. In my case it was twice a week from 6-10pm, with some all day Saturday courses.

My experience was a little different than most. When I was turned down for the Full-time program, but accepted to the Evening Program, I wasn’t sure what to do at first. But after so research and speaking with an alum of the Evening Program, I discovered some advantages. Most of these are not available in other evening MBA programs.

First, employers didn’t distinguish between the Full-time and Evening Programs. Both platforms had access to the alumni network and employer recruiting events.

Second, the same professors that taught day-time also taught evening and the course curriculum was virtually identical. As a bonus, I since I had a flexible work schedule, I was able to take day-time classes and network with the Full-time students.

Third, the Evening Program had the same access to the Career Management Center as the Full-time, with all the personalized coaching, training and corporate connections you could need.

Fourth, the Alumni network is open to all graduates, regardless of platform.

Fifth, the tuition was less expensive than the Full-time program.

Sixth, the Evening courses took the same two year time frame as the Full-time.

I was even able to take a sabbatical from my job during school and do an internship with Bank of America, which helped me land a full-time offer. I could keep going, but I think you get the picture. I had to work at it, but I believe I took real advantage of the Evening Program and didn’t feel like my opportunities were limited.

ASU has got high marks in several of the notable and national MBA rankings. As of 2017, The day-time program is #25 in U.S. News & World Report and the evening program is #33. The list goes on and on.

In case you haven’t heard, the full-time program is free! No, I didn’t stutter. As of 2016, the Forward Focus MBA Scholarship provides Full-time students with a full ride. For transparency, the 2017 tuition is just north of $58 K for residents and $94K for non-residents.

The Evening program cost is $56 K for both residents and non-residents. Definitely something to consider when deciding on Full-time or evening.