University of Oklahoma - Michael F. Price College of Business

Professors at the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma are “a combination of top-notch academics and industry leading executives-in-residence making for a dynamic learning and networking experience.” The brand name school offers a Full-Time and Professional (part-time) options, both of which utilize the same faculty, curriculum, and resources and elective specializations in energy, finance, entrepreneurship, management information technology, and risk management. As most people here are “looking to move upward in their respective organizations,” the flexibility of the program is designed to accommodate working professionals, and the curriculum is designed to emphasize the lessons that can be imparted by classmates and applied immediately. “Having professionals that are working in the prominent industries in Oklahoma makes the class conversation much more useful and relevant,” says a student.

With cohorts of only forty students, personalization is a key focus of the MBA programs, and no one lacks for attention from the administration or faculty. “I have been very impressed, not only by the level of instruction, but . . . the one-on-one time that I have received as an MBA student from both professors and advisers,” says a student. Though some students feel that “the core classes are text book only” and there is not enough real-life application is mixed in to those class models, they says that “once you start your specific emphasis it changes drastically.” Text book material is introduced through case studies, speakers and projects: “It is fun to go to class and interact with teachers who can answer almost any question I can ask and then some.” Several display “complete mastery of their particular subject area,” and relate it to current events, lending perspective to both a domestic and global business setting. Entrepreneurship professors are “all businessmen who have made millions of dollars in the business world and concentrate on sharing the wealth of knowledge they have learned and sometimes even sharing contacts,” confirms a student.

Job placement (particularly for the Professional MBA) somewhat revolves around “a big willingness for current students who are happy with their company helping other students find new placement,” and part-time students are happy to find “networking opportunities similar to a full time program.” Furthermore, administrators “take an active role in tapping their networks to assist with career and internship placement in the metro area.” The Student Support Center offers career assistance for all OU MBA stu- dents, and they “are readily accessible all days of the week.” Staff here does “a great job of giving students a lot of individual attention” in landing internships and employment, offering international opportunities to both work and study abroad, and connecting them with relevant industry professionals that can give input regarding industries of interest.

Top employers of recent Price graduates include Williams Partners, L.P., AT&T, Hitachi Consulting, Sonic Industries, and Carter Healthcare.

The “ease with which one can meet new people and interact in a friendly manner with literally anyone you come across on any given day” is one of the school’s greatest strengths, and there are myriad “great social events which encourage significant others and networking.” “I feel as though I can engage anybody, anytime (respectfully, of course) with questions or by introducing myself, and it will be well-received,” says a stu- dent. “I have developed strong friendships with high character people I would happily work with now and in the future,” says another. Professional MBA students are juggling especially busy schedules, and with such a diverse group of working students, “it can be extremely challenging to meet up to complete several group assignments along, in multiple classes.” For those who can, “the graduate lounge is pretty amazing,” and there is ample opportunity to engage with both other business students and students in non-business majors. A large percentage of the programs are international students, and a fair number have engineering backgrounds.