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September 1, 2006

Nichols College

Address: 123 Center Road, Dudley, MA  01571-5000
Phone: 800-470-3379
Fax: 508-943-9885
Website: www.nichols.edu
Number of Students: 427 undergraduate, 305 MBA
Number of Employees: 336
Top Executive: Debra M. Murphy, Ph.D., President
Product or Service: Higher education
Year founded: 1815


At Nichols College, curriculum planners have launched exciting new MBA programs tailored to specific business areas, such as security and sports management.

Changing MBA programs meet market demand

The business of Nichols College is business. The largest non-profit business school in Central Massachusetts, Nichols is one of only 15 freestanding undergraduate business schools in the country. The school offers an evening MBA program, which it constantly enhances to meet the needs of the market. Five years ago, Nichols began offering MBA courses online. In 2003 the complete MBA program was made available online.

"As people begin to take online courses, they find out it’s a more flexible way to complete their education," says Tom Cafaro, Vice President, Enrollment & Marketing. But professors still want students to complete group projects. A hybrid model has students meeting as a group on campus once a week, and then meeting again together online. "The quality of the actual group work has improved," he reports.

Beginning in September 2006, Nichols is rolling out "continuous delivery" of online courses, so students no longer have to wait for the next semester to begin a new class.

"They can start any course any week," Cafaro explains, "as long as they’ve fulfilled the prerequisites." Students can take the course at their own pace. They decide how long it takes to finish based on their schedule. Once they finish a course students only wait until the following Monday to start the next one.

"Niche MBAs" are another new development at Nichols. An MBA program with an emphasis on sport management began in January 2005. Students complete core business courses for their Nichols MBA, but complement those with sport management courses offered jointly through the U.S. Sports Academy in Mobile, Alabama. The entire program can be taken online, so it’s available for students anywhere in the U.S.

"This is for people looking to enter the sports industry who do not have an undergraduate sport management degree," says Cafaro.

A security management MBA will be available in January 2007. "Since 9/11, the entire field of security has changed," comments Cafaro. "It’s now the protection of people, physical assets and information, with a special focus on information technology." More people are needed in this field, and the new MBA will offer them a way to advance in their careers, particularly if they do not have an undergraduate criminal justice degree. Former Massachusetts prosecuting attorney Dr. Steven Saravara is developing the courses that will complement the core MBA courses.

"We’re looking at other niches in the future," says Cafaro, "where there’s an educational need in a burgeoning industry." Area business owners and faculty members monitor emerging trends. They help answer the question, "What skills do businesses want to see students graduate with so they are prepared to enter the world of commerce?"

"Because we’re a private college, we’re pretty nimble and can respond to market demand," Cafaro continues. Start-up time for the new niche MBA programs has been a year or less.

The majority of graduate students are commuters, although some are still undergraduates who are participating in Nichols’ five-year BSBA/MBA program. Juniors who meet strict academic requirements apply and undergo interviews before acceptance into the program. They complete their undergraduate work by day and take MBA classes at night.

"It’s a great way to save money and get an MBA," says Cafaro. While most MBA students get tuition assistance from their employers, Nichols does offer need-based financial aid if required.

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