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(Sarasota, FL, July 29, 2002) -- USF Sarasota/Manatee has redesigned its master in business administration program based on student needs for a flexible course schedule.  Classes start Saturday, August 24, with a maximum of 40 students.  Courses will be conducted on a Saturday or Monday/Thursday schedule.  The 57-credit program can be completed in 2 ½ years.  Classes will be held at the new FCCI headquarters at 6300 University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch.

 “We have redesigned the manner in which the MBA program is offered to better meet the needs of busy adults,” explains Dr. Peter French, Academic Dean of the USF Sarasota/Manatee campus.  “Adding weekday evening class time to a Saturday schedule allows students more time with families and other responsibilities.  And USF is very grateful to FCCI’s leadership for allowing use of the training facilities in their new state-of-the-art office building,”

Other advantages to the redesigned program include:

• Continuing with the cohort teaching method, which statistically produces a much higher rate of degree completion;

• More consistent contact between faculty and students now that additional faculty have been hired; and,

• A competitive price with financial aid arrangements.

Earlier this year USF’s MBA programs were lauded by the Tampa Tribune for offering the best buy in the Tampa Bay region.  USF has the highest accreditation and lowest tuition charges for the MBA degree, according to a survey of business schools the newspaper conducted in April 2002.  “USF’s clear advantage is providing the only MBA program in the Sarasota/Manatee County area accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB), the premier accrediting agency for business administration programs,” adds French.

People interested in finding out more about the USF Sarasota/Manatee MBA program can go to www.sarasota.usf.edu, call Judy Rideout at (941) 359-4504, or email jrideout@sar.usf.edu. 

The University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee Campus offers 25 degree programs for students to complete at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  Currently serving 2,300 students annually, the campus is located at the Sarasota/Manatee County line on 140 acres at University Parkway and U.S. 41, touching the shoreline of Sarasota Bay and adjacent to the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art and Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport.  It is part of the University of South Florida, the second largest university in Florida with more than 37,000 students, a Research I institution, and one of the top 20 largest universities in the United States.

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Media contact:  Ellen Wile (941) 359-4749;
e-mail ewile@sar.usf.edu