3+2 programs are becoming more popular here in the US. This is where a student will take three years of undergraduate studies and then two years of a masters program resulting in one less year for their studies. Assuming the University is able to ensure a student covers the needed content in the first 3 years, is this a good idea for MBA programs. Note, there are several studies which report job experiences as the number one indicator of success in MBA programs (e.g. Adams & Hancock, 2000; Hay & Hodgkinson, 2006; Siegert, 2008).
Dear Dr. Scott Borden! How do you measure success of a program? I see, that shorter programs become more attractive for students. Before Bologna process in Russia we had 5-years programs (equivalent 8 level ISCED) and most of academics percieve that it was better than 4+2 programs we have today.
Thank you for the response Natalia and good to hear the 5 years was preferred. Could you help me understand why they were preferred? Also, great question concerning success. I would use the typical grade point average and ability to obtain or advance meaningful employment but also, and more importantly, softer metrics such as the ability to communicate effectively, present their work professionally, link key business concepts across courses, work effectively in groups, and so forth.
We had 5-years programs (no division on bachelor and master) and still have in some areas of study. It is enough for students to aquire all necessary skills and have long industry internships or research work. And it makes possible to enter job market one year earlier. Measures of success you offer are very meaningful, but they have little to do with the duration of education. Teaching and learning tools, intensive type of training, practice-orientation and involvement of employers are more important to success. Sometimes I think that education now (both school and university) is somehow excessive for the rapidly evolving world. So, when we make education program shorter we are more careful with what and how to teach. I would say that in business studies 4 years of intensive training could be enough.
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