Two New Online Business Degrees at U of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota at Crookston has introduced two new business degrees that incorporate some of the recent shifts in business functionality. The Crookston Daily Times is reporting that the University’s business school has expanded their degree offerings to include a marketing degree along with Bachelor of Manufacturing Management in Quality Management.

Both are online degree programs as well as campus-based majors. The program in quality management reflects a growing willingness among businesses to put resources into improving business efficiency. Improving production quality and production speed puts money to the bottom line as quickly as increased sales or budget cuts, according to the University. In addition, the structure of many businesses has changed radically.

Many companies that outsource production have discovered the need for more stringent quality assurance of products, especially those made in foreign countries, causing an increased need for graduates with a background in quality management. This program is an operational management degree with an international twist.

According to Business Department Chair Susan Bronson, PhD, the course of study will include business operations, product functions, quality and cost analysis, as well as consumer expectations and profitability. One of the interesting comments made by department faculty is the fact that this degree will offer career options in government regulatory agencies as well as in business.

One of the school’s MBA graduates observed that, “This program is tailored to technical and community college graduates in industrial and business fields who have considerable experience in manufacturing or in other processing environments. It is especially tailored to those working adults who would like to become part of the quality management team within their workplaces.”

The school’s press release notes that the Crookston campus has demonstrated expertise in online education and it has seen significant growth in enrollment in its online offerings. The number of students taking online courses has continued to grow as more degree programs are offered entirely online…“and as more students—many of whom are already in the workforce—discover the benefits of online study and the value of a University of Minnesota degree.”

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