Discussion: View Thread

In an earlier post I asked what it means to have an MBA, what are the
capabilities that could be expected to be found in graduates. This query
spawned a lively discussion, but not one that addressed this specific question.

There were posts about hiring managers having the responsibility for determining
job fit, that B-schools are not equipped to do this. I mostly agree with the
posted thoughts in this area.

But I still wonder about my question. I realize that having an MBA requires
"passing" a set of core courses and doing some specialized work in a specific
discipline within the umbrella of B-school offerings. Is this all that an MBA
means? If this is so, what's the big deal about an MBA? There must be
something else. But what is is? As a hiring manager, I really don't care what
courses an applicant has passed. What I care about is that the applicant can
use the knowledge in some useful way.

In one of the follow up posts George Ferguson <georgeferguson@hmri.com> wrote:

Snip
> 1. Demonstrates understanding.
> 2. Rephrases or restates the concepts when necessary.
> 3. Tailors the course emphasis and application to meet needs of the group.
> 4. Summarizes and clarifies course content throughout the session.
> 5. Provides effective transitions from one concept to another.
> 6. Shares application examples of the concepts.
> 7. Ties the course to other courses and issues.
Snip

These behaviors were part of a set of evaluation criteria George uses for
assessing certification/train-the-trainer students. It struck me that these
could form the basis of a good set of criteria for determining B-school
graduates. Require students to pass core courses and do specialized work. But
emphasize that the award of a degree requires the type of capabilities that
George lists.

Determining if a student has these capabilities isn't that hard, but it does
take a little work. Thinking back to my undergraduate days, this was exactly
the emphasis at my university. We had to take courses, both in our field and
and out of it. But we also had to pass examinations that were outside of the
confines of any single course. At the end of junior year we had general
examinations that dealt with the foundation material in our major field. In our
senior year we had to write an original thesis and pass comprehensive
examinations. These exams required students to defend their theses, and
demonstrate many of the types of capabilities listed above, as applied to their
major. This non-course work was very important to determine who was awarded
degrees.

In this way, my undergraduate degree has some sort of meaning beyond being just
a certificate of attendance and an affirmation that tuition checks didn't
bounce.


Don Kleist kleist@gdls.com

Don Kleist <kleist@gdls.com> wrote:

>>... an MBA requires "passing"
a set of core courses...Is this
all that an MBA means? ...<<

That is all any degree means. I see no evidence that a degree from
means anything other than meeting the schools minimum standard of
achievement--higher GPAs indicating a higher minimum. Of course,
the minimum entrance requires also tell something about the graduates.

>>... If this is so, what's the big deal about an MBA? ...<<

MBA students study areas of importance to business. If a student
already knows what is learned in an MBA program then earning an
MBA is not necessary, but for many of us without an undergraduate
degree in business the MBA is worthwhile. Some technical professionals
seem to believe they can migrate from the technical end of the business
to the business end without further effort or study. I find it amusing that
many technical professionals who have moved into the business end
would scoff at any business major moving into the technical end without
first acquiring a minimum level of knowledge, understanding and
experience.

>>... There must be something else...<<

Why?

>>.. But what is it? ...<<

The reasons to attend graduate school varies.
Some attend to:
-- understand the business end of their work place.
-- acquire the skills to become more influential.
-- learn how to manage their own business.
-- learn how to manage more effectively.
-- hone their leadership skills.
-- earn another degree.

Why do we presume that MBA students want to become leaders? Maybe the
answers lies not in the MBA students, but in those that ascribe to MBA
students their own motives?

>>... As a hiring manager, I really don't
care what courses an applicant has passed.
What I care about is that the applicant
can use the knowledge in some useful way...<<

Yes, you care about what they know and can the use what they know
to be successful in your business. Of course, you may want to judge
what they know by the courses they have passed.

>>... But emphasize that the award of a degree
requires the type of capabilities that George lists...<<

There are few guarantees in life and an MBA as a guarantee of
future success on the job is not one of them.

>>... These exams required students to
defend their theses, and demonstrate
many of the types of capabilities
listed above, as applied to their
major. This non-course work was
very important to determine who
was awarded degrees...<<

Yes, but will the university provide a guarantee to the employers
that hire their graduates? I think not, since there is much more
to success on the job than knowledge and skills. Many college
graduates leave their field after a brief or not so brief on-the-
job career. Sometimes we select careers for the wrong reasons.

>>... my undergraduate degree has
some sort of meaning beyond being
just a certificate of attendance
and an affirmation that tuition
checks didn't bounce...<<

Or does it mean your institution had a higher minimum standard than most?

Bob