C of C may offer MBA degree by this fall

The College of Charleston could offer a master's of business administration degree as early as this fall.

The college's Board of Trustees unanimously approved the School of Business' proposal at its last meeting.

The program is a fast-track, daytime program, so it won't compete with The Citadel's evening MBA program, college officials said.

The program needs to be approved by the state Commission on Higher Education's Committee on Academic Affairs and Licensing, which meets April 1, said Mike Robertson, the college's director of media relations. Then it needs final approval from the full commission, which meets May 6, he said.

The program would emphasize applied learning and offer a curriculum designed to respond to today's business environment with a focus on decision making, innovation, a global mind-set, social responsibility and leadership, school leaders said.

It also would offer a complementary focus on professional development, including communication skills such as interviewing, presentation, business writing and negotiations.

Robertson said demand from current undergraduate students at the college is sufficient to warrant the master's program.

Reach Diane Knich at 937-5491 or dknich@postandcourier.com.