1. What is the typical investment, in terms of resources and time more than financially, required from an individual who enrols into your MBA course?

Typically, candidates will need to commit approximately 6-10 hours per week for each unit they are enrolled in.  High quality course materials are provided and students have access to a range of online resources including Deakin Studies Online (DSO), eLive, iLecture and library services.  There are some group assignments and participation in online discussion groups is encouraged (and may be required in some units).  The investment of time is flexible in that students can choose their mode of study (on or off-campus, day or evening) and may also be able to study over three trimesters if desired (depending on their particular enrolment program).  Residential units are a week-long intensive learning experience which involves syndicate groups, guest speakers and professional networking.  The Deakin MBA also offers study tours in China, India and Australia.    

2.  Is there a correlation between the amount of resources that have to be put into an MBA and the quality of the course/study? Is it a ‘you get out what you put in’ situation?

Candidates can expect to reap most benefits from their study by making a firm commitment to their studies. The use of online resources can facilitate effective time management.   Active participation by students, whether in online tutorials, classroom seminars, residential programs, or study tours, provide opportunities for students to enhance their knowledge, teamwork skills and learning experience.
We don’t want students to just do the bare minimum to get through.  The program is structured to provide specialist knowledge and staff use seminars and online resources to actively engage with students.  The residentials, along with add-ons such as revision weekends, are developed specifically for MBA students to provide quality, customised enhancements to the MBA program. 

3.  How do you ‘add value’ to your MBA program to make it stand out from your competitors?

The Deakin MBA is characterized by the flexible study options offered and the underlying high quality level of service provided.  Specific advantages are as follows:

• Broad range of specialisations – we group units together to provide up to 25 different majors
• Residential units which allow students to complete a week-long intensive program with other students. 
• Business practicum units (MPI701 and MPI702)
• Research units (MPP701 and MPP703)
• Regular enhancements to the program, such as new units (eg. Management and Organisational Consulting), new specialisations (eg. Business Consulting, or International and Community Development), partnerships (eg. CIMA), study tours, etc.
• Three trimesters of study
• Support services and activities for students (eg. mentoring, Deakin Business Student Society, Toastmasters, common room for students)

4. What is your opinion of the new ‘Pocket MBAs’ that offer two-day courses that give you a taste of what it is like to study an MBA?

The Deakin Business School offers an intensive ‘Induction’ program to successful applicants which provides a ‘real taste’ of what it is like to study an MBA.  Candidate comment: “Let me say ‘thank you’ all for the MBA Induction 2009 session. As an off-campus student returning to study after some time, it was terrific to meet you all and hear more about the MBA course and what the next years of life might entail … the good and the interesting. It was also extremely beneficial to meet other fellow students and discuss similar queries we all shared … why we are here; how we will cope. … etc”. David Hassett 2009 MBA Candidate.

We also offer the Graduate Certificate of Business Administration and Graduate Diploma of Business Administration so students can complete a shorter qualification and then decide to articulate later into the MBA.  Students can also enrol on a non-award basis to undertake a unit if they wish to try it out.  They may then be eligible for credit into the MBA program.  They might also be eligible for one of the programs available through DeakinPrime (our Corporate arm) which could lead them into an MBA.

5.  Universities are going to ever-increasing lengths in order to attract the best student body to enrich the learning environment, including offering more free tuition scholarships. Is it worth it?  Is what worth it?  Having the best student body or the MBA itself?

The high quality of the Deakin MBA program continues to attract high caliber candidates.  The quality of students coming into the program is important and our selection criteria is structured to ensure that appropriately qualified students enter the program.  The Deakin MBA benefits from having a variety of students: domestic and international, on and off campus, from a range of industries, across a range of age groups. 

6.  How does the return on investment work after the candidate has attained their MBA? What kind of value have they typically added to themselves? Any particular success stories from your institution that you could share?

A Deakin MBA graduate will be well-equipped with the knowledge and key skills required for dealing with all aspects of an organisation’s management. They will have developed creative, analytical and interpersonal capabilities crucial to effective business leadership in a global business environment.  The return on investment would relate to employability – ie. graduate outcomes.  The data we obtained for the MBA review showed that over 95% of Deakin MBA graduates are in full-time work. 

There are numerous high-profile Deakin MBA graduates located all around the world.  One that springs to mind is Ms Janet Dore, Chief Executive Officer of the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).