Opus College of Business to offer more degree options
Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas is transforming its already-acclaimed MBA program and graduate program portfolio to meet the fast-changing demands of Minnesota businesses. Students will have access to more high-demand degrees, more diverse course offerings and a unique option: the new MBA+ offering, allowing full-time MBA graduates to take additional classes at no additional charge to help them keep pace with business changes.
The college’s revamped graduate business portfolio includes new master’s degrees in business analytics and health care communication – both created in collaboration with state business leaders.
“Our strategic partnerships with Minnesota companies allow us to meet their needs for highly qualified talent, while helping our students gain a competitive advantage in the job market,” said Carleen Kerttula, director of Program Innovation at Opus. “Traditional universities have been slow to respond to the education-to-employment gap. We’re innovating to be more market-driven and entrepreneurial.”
The college’s new business analytics degree is designed to meet the need for an estimated 7,000-plus new business analytics jobs that will be created in the Twin Cities region over the next three years. These professionals analyze digital data to help businesses improve decision-making and increase bottom-line performance.
The college’s MS Degree in Health Care Communication debuted last fall to ensure that the state’s health care companies have the talent they need to thrive and grow.
Opus’ market-leading Evening MBA program, renamed the Part-Time Flex MBA to reflect its distinctive nature, will offer more elective courses and increase its emphasis on blended delivery (in person and online). Students will have the opportunity to customize their educational experience based on their background and career goals. The flexible part-time program – which can be completed in fewer than three years – will also increase emphasis on leadership and career coaching.
The full-time MBA program will offer students similar flexibility in customizing their education to meet their professional goals. The new Full-Time Flex MBA – which can be completed in as few as 16 months – retains the comprehensive nature of the first-year experience, while providing flexible pathways to degree completion and lifelong learning.
Once Full-time Flex MBA students graduate from Opus, they’ll have an open invitation to take additional courses – at no additional cost. The college’s new MBA+ option allows students to earn up to 12 additional graduate-level credits within three years after they receive their degree. The MBA+ option is ideal for graduates who want more in-depth education in a certain area to expand their skills for their current job or for a new role.
“The Opus College of Business will continue to explore new graduate certificate and degree opportunities to meet the changing needs of the Twin Cities business community,” Kerttula said. “We were the first college in Minnesota to offer a part-time MBA in 1974, a program recently ranked the best in Minnesota by Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Our goal is to inspire students with the confidence to express themselves, explore their potential and make their work count – all for the common good.”
