Penn State Great Valley launches streamlined 33-credit MBA

A businesswoman presents about transformative leadership to two colleagues
Credit: Penn State

MALVERN, Pa. — Penn State Great Valley is now accepting applications for its new 33-credit MBA. This streamlined program features highly flexible delivery and the opportunity to specialize by earning up to three graduate certificates as part of the program.

“This program enables students to not only balance career, life and studies through flexible schedules and delivery modes, but also to customize their learning with specialized certificates,” said Zugang “Leo” Liu, Penn State Great Valley’s director of management programs and professor of business administration.

Penn State Great Valley’s expert faculty recently restructured the MBA curriculum to focus on essential topics, allowing students to gain core knowledge more efficiently. Full-time MBA students may complete the program in as little as one year, and part-time students may earn their degree in as few as 18 months.

Courses are delivered in various formats, including hybrid, synchronous and asynchronous online modes, combining the benefits of both in-person networking and the flexibility of remote learning. Students take seven required courses in areas such as financial management, behavioral science in business, supply chain and operations management, marketing, and statistical analysis for managerial decision-making. One of the required courses may be waived, based on students’ educational and professional background.

Students may choose three elective courses, which may count toward business-focused certificates in specialties such as HR management, business analytics, leadership, entrepreneurship and more.

To complete their coursework, MBA students take a capstone course in strategic management to help them apply their accumulated knowledge from the program to solve complex business challenges. Students work in teams on a semester-long project to analyze strategic issues, develop solutions, and present their recommendations to executive stakeholders. This hands-on experience combines strategic thinking, leadership development, and practical application, while demonstrating students’ readiness to take on senior management roles.

The program is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, a standing earned by just 6% of the world’s business programs.

“We’re thrilled to offer a program that meets the demands of today’s dynamic business world while providing a truly personalized MBA experience,” Liu said.