Guilford will limit its first MBA cohort to 20 students, which will begin in fall 2022 and is accepting applications now. Admitting this small cohort continues the Guilford tradition of offering students individualized attention. MBA students will learn directly from experienced faculty and build relationships they can turn to as they expand their professional careers.

"While online courses work well for some, many students prefer in-person instruction," says Michael Dutch, Seth and Hazel Macon Professor of Business Management and director of the MBA program. "We also know that life and work commitments can make traveling to campus challenging at times. Our HyFlex design addresses these concerns. While students are encouraged to attend classes in person, we’ve designed a program that allows for remote and even asynchronous participation."

Quakers have a rich history in business, and, notably, the world's oldest business school is named after its Quaker financier, Joseph Wharton. The Guilford College MBA embraces that same Quaker business perspective that allowed early Quaker businesses to flourish and be socially responsible. It provides for Guilford values to have a venue within the ecosystem of this most popular graduate degree area.

"We want our graduates to know the 'how' of organizational management. We also want our graduates to consider the 'why' and the impact of their decisions," Michael says.

Recent Department of Education data indicate that Business remains the most popular graduate degree area in the United States. Business graduate degree awards are at the highest level ever recorded, with 24 percent of all U.S. graduate degrees in Business. Plus, according to the Wall Street Journal, an MBA is a graduate degree that appears to pay off the quickest for many students who finance their education.

By design, Guilford's MBA students do not need an undergraduate business degree to apply and be successful. The MBA curriculum includes leveling activities that bridge students to graduate-level studies, no matter their undergraduate course of study.

"Understanding the world around us, marketing, decision making, financial control, leadership, and, above all, ethical perspectives, are universal skills. Regardless of where our graduates land — industry, education, nonprofits — these skills are needed," Michael adds.

Guilford MBA students will gain a comprehensive understanding of basic business principles, including international business, marketing, leadership, finance, economics, strategy, and ethics.

Plus, unique to the College is the MBA program's capstone course. It will guide students through the transition from manager to executive, laying an ethical groundwork to help future business leaders face organizational challenges. This course emphasizes a leader's most important duty, to establish a culture and climate of an organization that promotes its ethical values and norms. Potential projects could include a case-study analysis, a marketing plan, a strategic plan, a change-management plan, a governance plan, or a sustainability plan for an organization.

Upon completion of the capstone project, Guilford MBA students will understand the power of diversity as a competitive advantage and how to apply ethical frameworks. They will also understand corporate governance procedures and how to analyze ethical issues and develop action steps to address them. 

"We are delighted by our upcoming MBA launch," Michael says. "It further enhances Guilford’s ability to produce ethical and highly qualified organizational leaders."

About Guilford College: Guilford College is a nationally distinguished liberal arts school in Greensboro, N.C. Empowering students to design a personalized education focused on their interests and passions, Guilford emphasizes real-world learning for every student, every semester. Established in 1837, Guilford is the only Quaker-founded college in the Southeast. The principles of our founders are reflected in the College’s seven Core Values: community, diversity, equality, excellence, integrity, justice, and stewardship.

Are you interested in an online MBA program in North Carolina? To learn more about the Guilford College MBA and how to apply, please visit the Guilford College Graduate School webpage. You can also request more information with this form, or contact Director of Admission Kyle Wooden '11 at 336.316.2100 or admission@guilford.edu to schedule a phone interview or campus visit. You can also contact the MBA Program Coordinator, Michael Dutch, at mba@guilford.edu.