Prospective MBA students fit into two categories: recent college graduates who want to go straight through school, and working individuals wishing to further their education. The recent graduates typically choose the traditional on-campus program because it is most familiar to them. However, there are a variety of differences between undergraduate and graduate schools. Graduate school is more personalized, with a lower student-teacher ratio. Classes are more discussion oriented. Several students in the class of 2007 observed that the biggest differences between undergrad and grad school are the large amounts of reading required and the increased emphasis on group projects. Considering the fact that graduate students are among the most motivated and competitive college students, they often find that upon entering grad school, their roles shift. For example, in group projects, MBA students often encounter a number of individuals capable of assuming dominant leadership roles. Graduate students must learn to delegate tasks to other group members, and trust that they will do the work.

   As for deciding between the traditional on-campus and outreach programs, communication, flexibility, and program length preferences should be considered. The traditional on-campus program provides easy access to teachers and fellow students to communicate face-to-face. The outreach program accounts for this through the university’s WebCT program. WebCT provides chat rooms and message boards for outreach students to post comments and questions. Another issue to consider when deciding between the traditional and outreach programs is flexibility in your schedule. There is virtually no flexibility in the on-campus program. All of the classes, except the four electives, are only offered once each academic year. Students are expected to plan everything else (work, extracurricular activities, etc.) around their classes. Outreach students, on the other hand, can “go to class” when it is convenient for them. If something comes up, students can pause their DVD or internet streaming and come back to it later. A final matter to consider when choosing a program type is the time it takes to earn the degree. Unless earning a dual degree, it takes on-campus MBA students three semesters to graduate. Students enter in August and graduate in December the following year. Depending on the time available to outreach students, they may only take two or three classes a semester. This extends their graduation date by a year or two. Most outreach students complete degree requirements in an average of less than three years.

   There are pros and cons to each curriculum, but the MBA office staff, faculty, and current students work to accommodate both groups. Which program is better will depend on an individual's current career position and time allocations on a case to case basis.