Chapman Graduate School of Business: Inside The QS Online MBA Rankings 2021 Programme

The QS Online MBA Rankings 2021 have just been released, revealing the business schools setting the standard for online MBA offerings across the globe.

Now in its 10th year, the rankings analysed the offerings from 57 schools based on several indicators, including employability, class profile, class experience, and faculty and teaching.

One of the best-performing programmes this year was the online MBA from Chapman Graduate School of Business, which ranked third in North America and tenth worldwide.

TopMBA caught up with Professor William Hardin, Associate Dean at Chapman Graduate School of Business (FIU), to discuss the school’s performance in the rankings, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on online MBA admissions, and future plans for digital learning.

TM: Given local and global restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the past year has been particularly challenging for business schools across the world, as many had to pivot towards remote learning even for in-person programmes. Have you seen a difference – whether positive or negative – in candidate interest for your online MBA offering? And did you implement any changes to the delivery of your programme to adapt to the ongoing pandemic?

WH: The College of Business at Florida International University has had online graduate degree programmes for more than two decades, so we have a great deal of operational knowledge. What has been happening is that more and more schools are moving into the online market. There is more choice, but that choice is varied. We are seeing differentiation based on type of online modality, primarily synchronous versus asynchronous and some combination thereof.

Some of the core metrics on student quality related to standardised test scores are less meaningful as more predictive models are based on other academic and work performance and/or experience measures.

TM: What makes your online MBA programme unique and a top provider of online learning? 

WH: We have three strong differentiators. First, we have multiple specialisations with curricular depth in each. Second, we have an embedded scholarship programme that rewards success in the programme, and the typical student earns performance scholarship funding of about US$6,000, which lowers the net price to a very competitive US$36,000. And third, we provide co-curricular programming that develops soft skills that are in demand.

TM: Your programme scored particularly high for the employability indicator. Why do you think that is?

WH: I think our students are very aware of the quality of the programme offered and the support from staff and operationally. In short, the type of people who select our programme make excellent employees as they are discerning decision-makers from the start. Also, given the diversity of our student body, the graduates can function well in many environments and business cultures.

TM: What are your hopes for the future of your online MBA – from both an academic and student body perspective?

WH: We offer not only the MBA in various specialisations in an online format, but more discipline-specific Master of Science degree programmes than perhaps any AACSB accredited school in the US. The future of business education is tied to technology and modality of instruction. We are seeing higher quality applicants and more demand across the board.