I wonder how many other successful (and failed!) online MBA degree startups will publish their own debrief? This one doesn’t contribute much new knowledge to the collective consciousness, but I give Michael Hergert and the San Diego State University kudos for putting pen to paper…

Lessons from Launching an Online MBA Program

Michael Hergert
San Diego State University
College of Business Administration
Michael.hergert@sdsu.edu

Abstract

The College of Business at San Diego State University embarked on a pilot project to introduce an online version of its MBA program in the spring of 2000. The College of Business at SDSU is one of the largest in the nation, with over 6,000 enrolled students. The online MBA program was intended to complement the wide variety of on-campus programs in the College. This article summarizes the lessons learned from the planning, implementation, and assessment of the program. In particular, the need to carefully position a new online program in the menu of existing programs is investigated. A successful online program should create synergy (or at least peacefully coexist) with traditional program offerings. This can only occur if the online program has credibility with faculty, serves students needs, and has financial viability.

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