• Current Students
• Course Schedules
• Incoming Students
• Electives
• Concentrations
• Career Services
• Business Projects
• Calendar
• Student Resources
• Study Abroad
• Current Tuition & Fees
• Financial Aid
• Graduation
• MBA+ Faculty

Welcome to the MBA+ Program!

Dear Incoming PSU Graduate Business Student,

Welcome to the 2009 Graduate Programs Orientation!  We are thrilled with the opportunity to meet all of you and help you succeed in your graduate experiences.

Orientation is about ensuring your success. Undertaking a graduate business program requires significant investments of time, energy and money. How can you get the highest return on these investments? During Orientation you will discover the many opportunities that can help you achieve your educational and professional goals. Please come ready to listen, ask questions and learn about how to maximize your graduate program experience.

During Orientation each of you will have ample time to meet fellow students entering the same graduate program. You will also have the chance to meet incoming students into the other graduate programs. The School of Business offers three top-notch graduate programs – MBA+, Master of International Management and Master of Science in Financial Analysis – and the Orientation serves as a launching point for new friendships formed within and across programs that will endure beyond graduation.

All of you are tasked with viewing two videos prior to attending Orientation.  Links to this are provided on this webpage.  The videos provide compelling evidence of the importance of strong leadership in today’s world. No matter your reason for entering into graduate business studies, it is important that all of us are aware of how expectations of business are changing and how leaders are responding to these expectations. During lunch on Friday we will participate in a facilitated discussion of the videos and the role of leadership.

It is my hope that you all find this year’s Orientation helpful and enjoyable as you set off on your graduate school experience.  I look forward to seeing you on Thursday, September 17th!

Best regards,

Scott Marshall

Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research

Objectives for the School of Business Orientation

Mission: To change lives, build community, and serve the economic and social vitality of the region.

Vision: To be a nationally renowned school of business.

Ethos: Leadership – Sustainability - Innovation

1. Understand the mission and values of the School of Business and how it achieves them.
2. Gain an appreciation for the privilege to be a graduate student at the School of Business.
3. Learn how the School of Business strives to participate in and support your success during and following your graduate education experience.
4. Learn the expectations established for students in terms of citizenship, accountability and responsibility.
5. Gain insights into how to become an effective co-learner with your peers.

Specific Objectives of the Program/Cohort Sessions: 

1. Meet others who will participate in your program with you.
2. Meet program directors who will guide the program during your experience.
3. Learn about program-specific curriculum, experiences and expectations.
4. Hear from current students and/or alumni from your program about how to make the most of your experience.

Social Entrepreneurship: An Emerging Business Model (World Café) 

1. Set the context for business in a global economic environment.
2. Learn about emerging models that redefine conventional conceptions of business and address challenging social issues.
3. Engage in dialogue with your graduate program colleagues in a co-learning environment about the global environment and emerging models.