Robert Morris College Opens School of Graduate Studies

CHICAGO, Oct. 31 /U.S. Newswire/ — Robert Morris College, one of the state’s largest providers of bachelor’s degrees in business is now offering graduate degree programs. The graduate school will begin with two initial offerings: The Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the Master of Information Systems (MIS). The School of Graduate Studies is now enrolling students for classes that will start in February, 2006. The programs will be offered at RMC’s Chicago (downtown), DuPage and Orland Park campuses.

“Adding graduate-level programs to our educational offerings is a natural evolution for Robert Morris College,” said Michael Viollt, president. With roots dating back to 1913, Robert Morris College has long been a fixture in Chicago’s college arena.

Over the past ten years, RMC, an accredited, not-for-profit institution, has expanded greatly, adding five campuses, doubling the total number of current students, and escalating the number of programs offered to 25. In addition, the number of intercollegiate athletic programs at RMC has expanded, with teams currently competing in over 20 different sports.

Mr. Viollt is proud of Robert Morris College’s ability to serve the culturally diverse Chicago area as a provider of affordable, high-quality education, and is excited to be expanding the school’s offerings to graduate level studies. “Having a graduate school represents another level of our continued commitment to students and employers throughout the greater Chicago area,” he said.

Robert Morris College’s master’s programs have been designed to build on the foundation of a bachelor’s degree, elevating it to the next level. “At the bachelor’s level, we tend to teach students about practical business solutions. At the master’s level, we help students find creative solutions to tomorrow’s problems,” Mr. Viollt continued. “What we teach them in class on Thursday night or Saturday morning can be applied at work on Monday.”

The curricula for the two programs were developed with the assistance of the School of Graduate Studies Advisory Board. The board consists of fourteen executives representing a breadth of well- known Chicago area businesses and organizations.

One of the more innovative components of the curriculum is a leadership forum known as the “Graduate Seminar.” Held several times throughout the year, these unique sessions feature guest speakers who are considered leaders in their fields.

Rather than simply lecture for an hour or two, speakers interact with the students, who are encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback in this open-forum format, then follow up with a response paper.

President Viollt explains the rationale behind designing the Graduate Seminar into each curriculum: “The concept of ‘leadership’ came to the forefront of what we felt students should garner from their studies when we designed the master’s program. Having students interact directly with recognized leaders seemed like a logical, natural way to do that. It greatly enriches the graduate learning experience.”

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Additional information on the Robert Morris College School of Graduate Studies may be found online at http:// www.masters.robertmorris.edu or by calling Amanda Volz at 800-225- 1520.

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