Located in Tallahassee, Florida, the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is on a mission to provide high-quality, affordable education that will guide students in achieving their dreams.
Its School of Business and Industry (SBI) is no different. Founded in 1974 by Dr. Sybil Collins Mobley, the school continues to execute FAMU’s vision to be recognised nationally and internationally as a preeminent centre of excellence in business. FAMU was classified as the highest-ranked public historically Black college university, according to the US News and World Report 2021 Best Colleges ranking
Little wonder why authors like Tom Peters describe SBI in his bestselling book, “A Passion for Excellence”, as “the Marine corps of business schools: pride, poise, excellence!”
Elevate your career with an online MBA
FAMU’s online Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme combines asynchronous and synchronous learning that allow you to enjoy a programme according to your schedule and career plan, making it ideal for working professionals and parents anywhere around the globe.
This online offering is part of FAMU’s wide range of online undergraduate and graduate programmes. These span subjects such as Criminal Justice, Global Security and International Affairs, Information Technology, Adult Gerontology, Women’s Health, Applied Social Sciences, Nursing, Psychology, Sociology and Public Health.
The best part? There’s no need to quit your job, move states, leave behind families or use your entire savings to earn this professional degree. Plus, learning at a later age has a transformative effect on developing critical and reflective skills – which is essential for you to thrive in the business space. Online learners also learn how to communicate effectively – whether it is through group projects or emailing their professors.
These are great for any students, but more so for FAMU’s online MBA students.
Value for education
For US$34,056, you will receive all your textbooks and course materials. They are delivered in an e-book format. FAMU does provide laptops for each student during the second semester, but they recommend you have another computer to use as a backup.
That’s not all. You will have a short-term international residency that will include interaction with executives from multinational corporations in Brazil, China and Chile, allowing you to build your professional network before you graduate.
Exceptional faculty
More than 90% of SBI faculty members have a PhD, demonstrating the depths of their knowledge, research experience, and commitment to enriching the understanding of aspiring business leaders.
Beyond this, they grant ongoing personal access to published research and other intellectual contributions across different subject areas like accounting, finance, information systems, management, marketing and supply chain management – offering a proper view of their discipline.
Small class sizes and a favourable faculty-to-student ratio allow for greater interaction between students and lecturers.
An interactive curriculum
Thanks to a passionate and experienced faculty, students go beyond textbooks to sharpen their industry acumen. “We learn to think outside the box,” shares MBA graduate Oscar Joyner. “Having small talks with a Fortune 500 CEO was common.”
Online students develop their networking skills through a series of interviews, close-ups, forums, and TV tapings – allowing them to secure lifelong personal and professional relationships with key executives in the civic, corporate, and academic communities.
Opportunities to network with over 100 corporate partners like Accenture, John Deere, JPMorgan, Edward Jones, Disney, Ford, Burger King, and more are incorporated into the programme.
Those who are interested in applying their new-found knowledge can consider joining MBA case study competitions. Most SBI students end up winning against other elite business schools.
Successful graduate outcomes
SBI boasts an 85% job placement rate, with the remaining 15% choosing to pursue a PhD or JD.
Many graduates have assumed leadership roles in major multinational organisations, including Shundrawn Thomas (Executive Vice President at Northern Trust Corporation), Sonia Jackson Myles (Former Director of Global Fiber and Printed Packaging Purchases at Procter & Gamble)
John W. Thompson (Board Chairman of Microsoft), to name a few.
Other graduates have become successful entrepreneurs. Some examples include the likes of PJ Benton of PJJD Enterprises, Al Fuller of Integrated Packaging Company, Art Collins of Public-Private Partnerships, and Len Burnett of Vibe and Uptown magazines.
Study abroad opportunities
For those seeking to broaden their horizons beyond the US, the school encourages students to pursue study abroad opportunities before they graduate. They can contact their Academic Advisor or the Office of International Education and Development to make the necessary arrangements.
“Our unit fully supports and promotes the internationalisation of the university by working with its various schools and colleges to broaden their global role,” enthuses Dr. Dhyana Ziegler, Associate Vice President and Interim Director of the Office of International Education and Development.
Insights from Shawnta Friday-Stroud, Dean of FAMU SBI
With the online MBA, it is clear that FAMU is keen on providing an academic framework that addresses the current needs of every student, whether they are doing an online or offline programme.
“Our undergraduate and graduate students as well as alumni have a long tradition of demonstrating that our system of rigorous academic preparation combined with practical business experiences gained as a result of our integrated corporate and private partnerships enables them to successfully compete in and contribute to today’s global society,” says Stroud.
The result? Cohorts of well-rounded, business-savvy graduates who, like exemplary graduate Thomas, Myles, and Thompson, are charting an exciting course for their futures.
Learn more about Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University online Master of Business Administration programme here.