UPEI to begin MBA program

The University of Prince Edward Island will take in its first students for a masters of business administration program this fall.

'It is also important to us as a faculty to have a graduate program.' Business school dean Roberta MacDonald

The program has been in the works for several years but just recently received approval from the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission.

Business school dean Roberta MacDonald told CBC News Monday the program will fill a need in the community. Until now, business professionals from the Island have had to leave P.E.I. to geta masters degree or take distance education.

And there will be benefits for faculty as well.

"It's just another level that we really have to go to, not only to satisfy the community needs which I think is really important to do and to raise the level of business education, but it is also important to us as a faculty to have a graduate program," said MacDonald.

"That provides us with a different level of research and a different way to get new faculty in here that have certain expertise that we don't have right now."

There will be two specializations in the master's program: one in innovative management and the other in biotechnology management and entrepreneurship. Between 25 and 30 students will be accepted each year.

The degree is specifically designed for people who already have business experience. New business graduates aren't being considered at this time.

A series of information meetings are being held across the province over the next two weeks. The first one is late Wednesday afternoon at the Charlottetown Hotel.