Accelerated Collaborative Learning Model: 4+4+4
It is important to note that each course employs a 4+4+4 model; that is, each course requires:
- Four hours of in class instruction;
- Four hours of out of class collaboration among students and their sub groups (of usually four to five students), and;
- Four hours of individual preparation.
The 4+4+4 model represents a minimum guideline. Individuals in groups may need to devote more time and energy to satisfy the course requirements. The four hours of out of class, sub-group collaboration is essential to this accelerated learning approach. With each course spanning just six weeks, it is critical that during this immersion, students engage in an ongoing learning process outside of the classroom. How the four hours of out of class time is accomplished is at the group’s discretion. Students working together in their sub-group are resourceful and creative to employ a combination of face-to-face, phone, email, and fax as methods of interaction, communication and collaboration. Students are required to certify that they have engaged in hours spent outside the class.
Masters Thesis
The Masters Thesis is a major component of the MBA program. Students are asked to approach a business and/or managerial topic, issue or problem, with the objective of engaging in practical, action oriented research. Spanning twelve months of the MBA curriculum, the Masters Thesis is designed to make the MBA experience more meaningful by integrating all the courses and topics that compromise the course of study. The Masters Thesis adds value to the Endicott MBA experience as students become familiar with and skilled at the processes at solving problems and meeting the challenges of the fast-paced and changing environment.
Research is explored with a focus on problem solving, decision-making and strategic planning in organizations. This is an “action research project” designed to provide practical, valuable, and relevant solutions to an organization facing a challenge.
The MBA for the Experienced Professional is offered in an additional format: The Book-Ends Model, which is a blended teaching and learning model that combines in-person sessions with a significant online component. Classes meet every sixth Saturday with the intervening periods mediated in the online environment. The online learning management system, Gullnet, is Endicott College’s web-based and secure online platform. Gullnet provides a dynamic, fully featured, asynchronous learning platform.
The MBA course of study is comprised of 39 credits. Students progress through each of the twelve 3-credit courses (which meet once a week in a class from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.). Each course is comprised of six sessions. In addition, all students are required to register for three Business Research Seminars (one in-class meeting each, interspersed across the curriculum; one credit each, for a total of three credits, as part of the completion of the Masters Thesis).
Accordingly, the curriculum progresses as follows:
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