by Christy Kloecker Thompson, Esq.

Once upon a time, getting a quality master’s degree in business meant years of dedication, hundreds of hours in the classroom and serious sacrifices of personal, family and professional time. It’s amazing how times have changed.

Today, in a world where information travels at warp-speed, education has evolved to keep pace. For 10 years, Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University has been a presence in the St. Louis community, positioning itself to accommodate the needs and goals of almost every type of student.

What an MBA Can Do for You
“In today’s economy, more and more people are considering graduate school,” explains Penny Schafer, center director for Keller Graduate School of Management. “Professionals in many career areas are less certain about their job futures. An MBA can help them stay marketable and it’s a great investment in their own future.” In addition, a business degree has the advantage of expanding a professional’s options and making career shifts more possible — whether they occur by choice or of necessity.

“Expanding your education directly affects your quality of life,” Schafer continues. “It gives you more freedom to make choices.” Keller’s philosophy is that an MBA degree can provide the edge that makes you more attractive to an employer, and it can make more employers seem attractive to you, as well.

Finding the Time
Keller’s success is due, in part, to its realization that while working professionals can benefit most from an MBA degree, “hitting the books” is not always convenient for them. For many adults, juggling the demands of career and family is challenge enough, and the thought of returning to the academic environment can seem less than enticing.

Keller’s MBA program involves 16 classes, each averaging about eight weeks in length. Students can complete their degree with online or onsite coursework, or a combination of the two. “Most of our students take one or two classes at a time, so they can easily incorporate the class with their demands from work and home,” Schafer explains. And in just two or two and one-half years, they can add the letters “MBA” behind their name.

Footing the Bill
Another reason for the growth in Keller’s admissions is the number of employers who recognize the added value that a master’s degree can bring to their employees. “A great number of our students are obtaining their degree using loan and other benefit programs offered by their employers,” explains Schaefer.

But even if an employer is not paying the tab, more and more professionals are recognizing the value of an MBA degree, and are willing to shoulder the financial requirement. “In an economic environment where jobs are increasingly more competitive, people seem more willing to take on student loans or make sacrifices to earn a degree,” Schaefer observes. “We try to make sure that those who make the commitment are successful in their quest for an MBA.”

Specializing Your Degree
Yet another factor that sets Keller’s MBA degree apart is the variety of specialized programs it offers. The school’s management curricula include coursework in human resources, telecommunications, public administration, accounting and finance, information systems and project management.

“Our project management degree is unique and it’s especially great for engineers, construction managers and people who handle large-scale projects,” Schafer comments. Among Keller’s project management graduates are employees of Bi-State Development Agency, Alberici Construction and Boeing. The project management coursework involves quantitative management training and teaches methods to coordinate vendors, control costs, minimize risks and deal with government reporting requirements. “It’s a wonderful program to help managers advance to the next level in their careers,” Schafer says.

Jason Lukasek, regional sales manager for the biotech firm Genospectra, recently earned his MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. “I chose Keller from among several other local degree programs,” Lukasek says. “What especially impressed me was Keller’s practitioner-based approach to teaching.” A majority of Keller’s faculty members work in the corporate world and incorporate first-hand experience in their coursework.

“While the school prides itself on being convenient for students, it is still a very rigorous MBA program,” Lukasek reflects. “But the fact that I had a job offer even before I received my degree is what makes all the work worthwhile.”

At a time when professionals are searching for ways to maintain their edge in the marketplace, Keller Graduate School offers them a welcome means to achieve their goals. Over the past decade, Keller has acquired a reputation for excellence among area employers and students alike. Its program options make it possible for working professionals to enhance their careers and job skills without sacrificing their productivity or personal lives.

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While students may choose to pursue a degree in the traditional classrom setting, Keller Graduate School of Management also offers online options.