Academics
Louisiana State University’s E. J. Ourso College of Business unites “a great quality curriculum, impressive career placement, and low tuition costs” in a single prestigious program. This large public school serves the needs of a diverse business community by offering four tracks to an MBA: full-time, Professional MBA (part-time), Executive MBA, and online, while maintaining an “outstanding reputation on a national level.” For all students, the MBA begins with a core curriculum in business fundamentals, including accounting, marketing, and finance. After completing the core, “students get a lot of freedom in choosing their electives,” which range from entrepreneurship to IT management. Of particular note, the school distinguishes itself with “one of the best internal audit programs in the country.” Special academic programs further compliment coursework; for example, the entrepreneurship programs offers “real-world coursework that allows students to work with local business upstarts in obtaining venture capital.”
At LSU, the classroom experience is top notch. “Classes are well structured and academically challenging,” and “the small class size makes getting access to professors easy.” Professors are generally “well accomplished in their careers,” but never look down their noses at students. On the contrary, they are “open to new ideas and shape lectures based on student input, student interest, and current events.” Incorporating lots of discussion and group work, classes are “structured in a way that resembles a work environment rather than a normal classroom.” Through case studies and presentations, students are called upon to “discuss real-world applications in all classes instead of just learning the theories behind the topics.” By encouraging a deeper involvement with the material, professors “really create a learning and participatory environment that encourages thinking.”
The real world is never far from the classroom, and LSU makes a point of “connecting us with area business leaders and exposing us to opportunities with local companies.” As a result, “LSU is known around the South for having one of the best MBA programs,” as well as a loyal alumni base.