New workshop meets the needs of modern MBA students
What comes to mind when thinking about pursuing a graduate degree? Cost. Value. Future career opportunities. And, of course, program requirements.
For many years, the requirements for the WMU MBA program have been either a business degree, or a year of prerequisite courses in business. Yet, those who don’t already have business degrees are often the very professionals most interested in an MBA so that they can take on new roles, manage people or understand business processes when working on cross-functional teams.
Most of the business knowledge needed for an MBA is foundational and practical. In an era of more flexible learning with online courses, the WMU MBA program is now able to offer the business prerequisites needed in a single semester instead of a year, streamlining the content and providing hands-on projects that help students solidify their knowledge quickly, and with the same benefits as a longer format.
Dr. Bret Wagner, associate professor of marketing, is leading the effort, taking an experience-driven approach to the new curriculum. “All of the materials are designed with real-life applications in mind,” says Wagner. “I believe everyone learns better when they apply concepts, so for every topic, the goal is to have a company example or a real set of data to study.”
One of the skill sets necessary for success in business courses is advanced spreadsheet knowledge, so the seminar includes 10 spreadsheet assignments that help students understand business concepts while simultaneously illustrating how spreadsheets can be developed to solve business problems.
“I never use standard textbooks or lecture slides when I create curriculum,” says Wagner. “I always develop my own. I think many textbooks are written for other faculty members and not for the students. As a graduate student who was teaching classes, I learned that you really must know the material to teach it, and you frequently get questions that cause you to think deeper about a topic or think about it in a different way than you have before. I find great satisfaction in the creative process of developing and revising my teaching materials, so getting to pilot this MBA preparation workshop is rewarding and aligns well with my teaching interests.”
Matthew Alexander, assistant professor of military science at WMU, is currently enrolled in the workshop, seeking an MBA to build on his military experience by gaining practical business knowledge and mastering strategic frameworks as he moves into civilian life after 11 years in the military.
“The workshop threw us into active learning with fast-paced simulations and real-world classroom talks that kept things buzzing. Focused assignments pushed us to put our lessons to work in practical ways. The workshop has given me some solid takeaways I’ll bring to the MBA and beyond. More than just MBA prep, it showed me what’s coming. I’m already sharpening my skills in adaptability, teamwork and getting things done right, thanks to the hands-on challenges, great discussions and smart assignments. I’m stepping into the program ready to turn ideas into real results.”
Wagner has received positive feedback so far from students who have participated in the two workshops that have been offered in fall and spring semesters.
As a student in the seminar, Alexander concurs, “Dr. Wagner is hands down the ideal professor to lead this intro seminar. He’s got a lighthearted personality that instantly puts everyone at ease, whether you’re new to business or someone with a bit of experience under your belt. From day one, he makes the classroom feel like a place where you belong, and he gets everyone engaged. You can tell he genuinely enjoys teaching, and that makes a huge difference when you’re diving into something new.”
Citing Wagner’s expertise in the field, his knack for breaking down complex topics into digestible pieces, and his ability to present advanced concepts without talking over students’ heads, Alexander feels fortunate to have an experienced guide on the way to his MBA. “Dr. Wagner’s the kind of professor who makes you want to show up and learn, not just because the material is interesting, but because he makes it feel approachable and relevant. He’s got the perfect mix of personality and expertise to kick off an MBA journey—setting the tone for what’s ahead while keeping it fun and grounded. Honestly, he’s a big reason this seminar has been such a win.”
Wagner understands where students are coming from and that’s a big part of why he works so well with the graduate student population.
“The flexibility to fit into people’s busy lives is vital to student success at the graduate level, especially when so many MBA students are working professionals. I earned a master’s degree in engineering administration part time before pursuing my Ph.D., so I have a lot of empathy and admiration for people who take on the challenge of a graduate degree.”
For more information, contact, Renuka Phillips, director of graduate programs.