Kennesaw State to launch dual M.B.A.−M.P.A. program this Fall

KENNESAW, Ga. (Jun 19, 2009) — Kennesaw State University will start offering an M.B.A.-M.P.A. dual−degree program this fall. The cross−disciplinary program‚ the first of its kind in Georgia‚ was approved by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia at its June meeting this week.

The Master of Business Administration-Master of Public Administration dual program –– offered jointly by the Coles College of Business and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences –– will prepare professionals for leadership positions in a world where the public and private sectors are becoming increasingly interdependent. Kennesaw State’s M.B.A.-M.P.A is one of a few such programs offered in the United States.

"There is no longer a strong divide between the for−profit and not−for−profit and public sectors. Individuals are crossing these lines all the time now‚" said Teresa Joyce‚ associate provost and dean of the graduate college at Kennesaw State. "For example‚ business people serve on the boards of‚ and are volunteers for‚ nonprofits and are involved in public sector organizations. Elected officials make complex decisions about mergers‚ bankruptcies and executive pay. Individuals in the nonprofit world are experiencing an economy where an understanding of business functions such as finance and accounting is more critical than ever."

The new dual−degree program is designed for professionals working in either the private or public sector‚ including those in industries that are government regulated‚ as well as administrators working in federal and state regulatory agencies such as the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Communications Commission‚ said Andrew Ewoh‚ director of the M.P.A. program.

Government‚ he said‚ is becoming increasingly involved in private business and‚ at the same time‚ is under pressure to operate more efficiently. Many industries‚ such as energy‚ telecommunications and transportation‚ have a foot in both the public and private sectors. And employees are looking for ways to move from nonprofit and government jobs into the private sector‚ and vice versa.

"People who are serving in government must have a more nuanced‚ advanced understanding of organizational effectiveness than in the past‚" said Tim Blumentritt‚ director of the M.B.A. program at the Coles College of Business. "Government is striving to act much more efficiently and to be more service−oriented‚ and our program will provide the tools necessary to reach these goals."

Students enrolled in either the M.B.A. or M.P.A. can start participating in the joint program as early as fall 2009. The program is designed to be completed in three years.