Overview

With the collapse of the investment banks on Wall Street, the volatility of the stock market, and the global implications of the credit crisis—what better place to be than in an MBA classroom?

At VSB we created our curriculum to blend theory and practice, and we did it with feedback from our alumni, current students, corporate leaders and subject-matter experts—so it’s relevant, current and gives you what you need to know to be successful. Now more than ever the integration of theory and practice is vitally important—so that how we'll teach, and that’s what you’ll experience. At VSB, we’ll deliver on that promise. Learn how.

Theory and Practice

You’ve heard it before—it’s important to connect theory with practice.

Why? Because business schools know that you come back to get your MBA to gain exposure to new theories and cutting edge technology, but at the end of the day how well you apply those concepts in your business is what actually makes a difference. Learn about how we integrate theory and practice in our curriculum through the four pillars that are the foundation of the academic experience at VSB—global mindset, ethics, technology, and innovation.

Global Mindset

You either know that globalization matters or everyone keeps telling you that it matters, but you’re not sure what it means for your business. At VSB, you’ll study globalization in the context of how it impacts your business today, how it will impact your business tomorrow and what you need to do to compete. You’ll have the opportunity to travel abroad and experience an international business problem first hand through a consulting practicum. You’ll develop an understanding of why local decision making actually does carry a global impact—as global themes are integrated across your coursework.

If this is your area of interest you can also pursue a concentration or Post-MBA certificate in International Business. Additionally, you can take advantage of events run out of the Center For Global Leadership, which is a hub of activity at VSB for the practice and theory of international business research and application.

“The recent economic crisis serves to underscore that the United States’ economy is inextricably intertwined with the global economy in complex and unexpected ways. At VSB we are dedicated to current, real-world learning designed to prepare our graduates for the dynamic and challenging times ahead.”

—Jonathan Doh
Associate Professor, Management & Operations
Director, Center for Global Leaderships

Ethics

The fallout from Enron, Tyco, and Bear Sterns has given the topic of ethics and social responsibility much deserved attention. At VSB we’ve been helping emerging leaders understand how ethics and CSR impact their business long before it was popular. It’s an integral part of what we do, who we are, and how we educate. That’s why we are known for producing ethical leaders who help make the organizations they work for stronger, and the world they live in a better place.

“The importance of applied ethics and corporate social responsibility cannot be overstated at this time in economic history. The Villanova School of Business is proud to have a longstanding tradition of delivering courses that help managers refine their moral sensibilities, and our new curricula takes this responsibility to a higher level through additional offerings supported by our CSR, public policy, and global stewardship centers and strategic initiatives.”

—Ron Hill
Senior Associate Dean, Intellectual Strategy
Richard J. and Barbara Naclerio Chair
Professor, Marketing & Business Law

Innovation

If you’ve been reading at all—you know that innovation is more than a buzz word—it’s a necessity to compete in a marketplace that is saturated with new ideas, old ideas, and everything in between. The challenging environment we find ourselves in today requires that we press our students to identify issues differently, and approach problem solving in a novel way. Thinking outside of the box—that’s old news. At VSB, we’ll challenge you to take risks in the classroom, flex your old thought patterns, and hope that you’ll soon be asking—what box?

“Because of the complex and ambiguous nature of today’s business environment, successful managers need to consider issues well beyond their functional silos and arrive at creative solutions that integrate concepts across disciplines. In similar fashion, we seek to find ways to integrate material in our MBA courses to make this type of holistic thinking second nature for our students. In a sense, students learn to think and act entrepreneurially—identifying creative and innovative opportunities, whether working within a large corporation or a small firm.”

—Patrick G. Maggitti
Assistant Professor, Management & Entrepreneurship
Research Director, Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship Initiative (ICE-SIG)

Technology

You use it every day—because it’s how you engage with your network, it’s how you get information—and it’s critical to the continued success of your business. Technology is embedded in everything you do. It’s embedded in everything we do, too. From exploring the practical application of Web 2.0 technologies, new enterprise architecture and the social media phenomenon and its impact on your bottom line, to gaining a deeper understanding of why connectivity increases productivity, you’ll learn how to harness technology and keep your business ahead of the latest curve. Our curriculum is not “theoretical”—instead—we focus on business strategy and the role that technology plays in the execution of that strategy. Given all of the changes occurring in the field, our commitment to you is that we’ll stay current with a relevant, practical business technology curriculum.

“Business technology is essential to business performance, and is getting more so. Some technology has commoditized but opportunities to save money and make money with technology have never been greater. Many companies have not recognized the changes in the way technology is acquired, applied and supported or assessed the impact the changes will have on cost management and profitable growth. Depending on the extent to which the changes are exploited, they can keep a company competitive—or threaten its existence.”

—Stephen Andriole
Thomas G. Labrecque Professor of Business
Research Director, Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship Initiative (ICE-SIG)

Student Perspective

Successful leaders know that having perspective means having more than just one. That’s why diversity of thought in the classroom and across all our graduate and executive programs is so important to us at VSB. Read thoughts below from our students and alumni about their experiences at VSB and why now is a critical time to consider returning to school.

“Considering the current global economic environment, being in graduate school right now has provided me with the framework to look at in-depth analysis as the markets unravel, and has also given me an opportunity to develop necessary skills to weather the storm. VSB has great professors and a rigorous academic environment—and if you are thinking about business school, those two things should be a must.”

—Allan Ngumi
Master of Science in Finance (Class of 2009)

“The complexity of our current economic environment challenges each of us to be more responsible for our own behavior and the behavior of our companies. Being at a premier business school provides you with the confidence to make a difference and lead with integrity—and those are the kind of changes the business environment today demands.”

—Kathie DeChirico
Executive MBA (Class of 2008)
President, Visionary Strategies

“In today’s economy, nothing is certain. Standing out in a competitive job market and proactively taking steps to gain additional business skills is paramount. Pursuing an MBA ensures that you will be prepared to capitalize on opportunities,  and doing so at VSB will allow you to build and foster an invaluable professional network. ”

—Robert Cooper
MBA—Fast Track (Class of 2009)
Senior Financial Analyst, Endo Pharmaceuticals

“In these challenging times, and in this economy, a solid foundation of business knowledge is more important than ever. An MBA offers a tremendous opportunity to learn—about the business world, about important fundamentals, about different ways of thinking and working, about other people and how they approach real-world business challenges, and most importantly about your own strengths and areas of development. Despite the hardships of the era, the value proposition of a Villanova MBA remains an unquestionable advantage for the professional who seeks a lasting competitive advantage.”

—Jason Payne
MBA Flex Track

“I see this as an excellent time to pursue an MBA, particularly through the 2 year Fast Track option at VSB. First, a recessionary environment is a great opportunity to re-tool and strengthen resumes and skill sets for better times to come. Second, there is so much disruption occurring in the global marketplace right now, and the ability to talk through these situations  with a talented group of people each week is incredibly valuable. ”

—Sean Quinn
MBA Fast Track

“No organization is where they were five months ago much less a year and a half ago. And it’s not only companies that have been affected. There is not one country that hasn’t been impacted negatively over the past 18 months. Being in business school right now will help you to unravel the mess—and will allow you the opportunity to gain the tools, knowledge, and insights you need to participate in rebuilding the system.”

—Patrick Wright-Riley
Executive MBA (Class of 2009)
Director, Engineering, Motorola

“Now is the perfect time to attend business school and pursue your MBA because the world is changing right before our eyes.  The next set of leaders are being defined, developed, and prepared to move organizations into the next age. You have an opportunity to shape what our world will be as we transition into our new economy. Old policies are being replaced, history is being written, and your MBA will be your passport. Carpe diem!”

—Felicia Brownell
MBA Flex Track
Director of Financial Reporting & Strategic Analysis
Delaware Investments