In an effort to provide business students specializing in small business management with the most up-to-date curriculum, some academic institutions are partnering with businesses to enhance current degree programs.
For instance, Small and Medium Business (SMB) Nation, a business materials publishing company, has joined efforts with Aspen University in Washington to create the Online Pocket-MBA program, a web-based masters program that will benefit information technology (IT) specialists.
Coursework was designed by industry experts and will help these professionals become more successful in the competitive small business market. Individuals who take advantage of this opportunity will be prepared for current business challenges and market changes.
David E. Lady, president of the university, stated that "this new model is a disruption to their core product and service offerings." He added that "our goal is to get information out to as many SMB business owners as possible to help them not just survive, but prosper on the other side of this market shift."
Individuals with a background in IT who earn an MBA degree may become qualified for high-paying jobs. In 2008, computer and information systems professionals, including those in the business industry, had an average annual salary of $112,210, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
