Covering the business of education and training

How do student needs and interests fit into curriculum design at fopro and non-profit universities?  Students generally have little say in academic programs and curriculum designs, since faculty and program chairs set these in motion.  Recently, however, forward thinking planners at Stanford’s Graduate MBA program rolled out a curriculum design that addressed one of students’ main gripes – “Why can’t I take more courses that will be useful to me after graduation?”  

Boston Globe reporter, Robert Weisman, detailed favorable reactions to Stanford University ’s announcement of its innovative Graduate MBA program, which redesigned curriculum around individual students.  Weisman’s June 6, report showed how students will be required to take a common program for a quarter and then, “…they'll be able to choose from a menu of courses in traditional core disciplines such as finance, operations, and marketing. Students new to the business world can learn the basics of financing in one course, for instance, while hedge fund veterans can explore higher-level issues in another.”

 Beginning in 2007, “incoming MBA students will take seminars with faculty members who will become their academic advisers and help them assemble a set of electives to cover specialty skills such as negotiations or sectors like healthcare.”

Weisman researched leaders’ reactions.  For instance, Ralph Folz , CEO of Molecular Inc., a technology consulting firm said, ``That's exactly what's going on on the Web with a much more customized and bite-sized approach to content. It's happening in publishing, it's definitely happening in television. Everyone's trying to deliver the right content to the right person at the right time."  And, Richard L. Schmalensee, dean of the MIT Sloan School in Cambridge stated, ``We expect to learn from it. Who knows? We may copy some of it."  And, Jim Aisner spokesman for  Harvard Business School didn’t comment on Stanford’s new approach, but said that Harvard continues to revaluate and update its MBA. 

College students have long requested more voice in program choices.  Currently, most programs in fopros or non-profits require a large number of core courses with only a few student electives.    

 I’m wondering how much of a ripple effect Stanford’s new individualized design will have on both fopros and non-profits. 

Thoughts?

Dr. McMaster is Sr. Vice President of MITA International Brain Based Center in Pittsford, NY.