Louisiana Tech University’s College of Business has developed and is accepting applications for its new online master of business administration (MBA) degree which will begin this coming fall.

“We are pleased to offer this flexible alternative for those seeking an MBA,” said James Lumpkin, dean of the College of Business. “The new program offers the same fully accredited, high quality education as with our on-campus and Executive MBA programs.”

Lumpkin said the online program is identical to Tech’s existing MBA program. He said the classes have the same content, rigor and quality as the on-campus courses and the program is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International.

“Same content, same courses,” said Tim Bisping, associate dean of graduate programs in the College of Business, referring to Tech’s traditional MBA program, which has 75 students enrolled. “The only difference is the delivery method.”

Like the traditional MBA, Bisping said the degree could be completed in one year if a student wants to go full time.

He said for those who don’t have a bachelor’s degree in business, there is a fast track program that could be done in 15 months.  The student would have to complete four pass/fail self-paced classes.

Bisping said the goal in offering a 100 percent online MBA is to reach a wider audience.

“We are simply meeting the demand. We have been working on this for a few years,” Bisping said.

He said the new program is designed for students who live out of the region or cannot come to Ruston for the on-campus program.

“This 100 percent online program is ideal for military personnel on TDY (temporary duty) assignments or those with changes in duty stations,” said Monte Parker, director of Tech’s Barksdale programs in Bossier City.

“Military students at Barksdale Air Force Base and those stationed around the world will find the flexibility of Louisiana Tech University’s online MBA program very attractive,” Parker said.

Parker said active duty military members, their dependents and veterans will be able to complete an MBA from a Tier 1 University in a timely manner at an affordable cost.

Having professional counselors and advisers on staff is another feature of the Barksdale program, Parker said.  He said this enables students to receive personalized attention with their plans of study and military/veterans benefits.