Academics
If there's one pervasive reason that students choose Saint Louis University for their MBAs, it's the school's "impeccable reputation" in the local business community. In practice, students say the program lives up to its solid gold credentials. "The overall academic experience is both challenging and rewarding," combining business theory and real-world practice with a refreshing "ethical consciousness" for the modern workplace. Depending on a student's professional goals, SLU offers two different MBA options, as well as dual-degree programs in law, health administration, medicine, and education. Those who want a quick but professional degree can pursue an MBA through the school's new "full-time, one-year timeline," which runs students through a rigorous interdisciplinary business program over the course of one calendar year. For working professionals, the part-time MBA is "flexible enough to accommodate students with active careers," allowing them to "shape the classes to better fit their needs and interests." "Professors understand the difficulties in working full-time while pursuing an MBA," and administrators "provide outstanding services to part-time MBA students."
Both part-time and full-time students must complete a series of foundation, breadth, and required courses in advanced business topics. After that, the curriculum "allows students to choose an area of emphasis for their MBA" through elective coursework in accounting, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, international business, health industries, nonprofit organizations, real estate, management, information technology management, marketing, project management, or supply chain management. Business trends and world events are integrated into the curriculum, and students can expect to "spend a lot of time learning about current (and therefore extremely relevant) business issues." A student enthuses, "The John Cook School of Business at Saint Louis University has challenged me to think domestically and globally, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and with a sense of social responsibility, ethics, and morals." Even while attending the program part time, MBA candidates benefit from "the flexibility to customize the program," along with the "the opportunity to study abroad for a week or two."
SLU's business program is "competitive and academically challenging," but well balanced. Within the faculty, students find "a combination of full-time professors who are very knowledgeable in their fields, as well as adjunct, who are actually doing what they are teaching." At the same time, students admit that "faculty members are inconsistent in quality." Researching professors before signing up for classes can vastly improve the experience. The total graduate enrollment at the Cook School of Business is fewer than 400 students, making the school feel rather small and manageable. Students feel comfortable expressing their opinions, and "the administration is very approachable and willing to listen to feedback." A current student attests, "Everyone I have interacted with in the Graduate Business School office is friendly, knowledgeable, and quick to help resolve any question or problem you might have."
Save School
