MBA Online Program Master of Business Administration
Welcome to SBS MBA Online Program Business has changed radically. We exist in a business environment of unlimited by borders, in which technological innovation occurs at breakneck speed. A world of incredibly smart and socially collaborative customers, of enhanced security concerns and also of, increasingly complex government regulations, and economic uncertainty. We understand that as a leader or future leader in a complex world, you want to engage your employees, delight your customers, restore and sustain the environment, and lead with integrity. It will not take two generations. We can and will re-invent the world in this generation! Now is the best time for you to prepare, re-tool, and aggressively launch forward. The SBS MBA will equip you for tomorrow s business opportunities while keeping you grounded in today s business reality. Our program is IACBE accredited, cutting-edge, and well-respected in the Zurich region and across the globe. Our curriculum is designed to develop leaders for the current and emerging business environment. Faculty conduct dynamic and interactive classes that are responsive to current business situations. Employers know that MBA graduates have a knowledge base and set of skills that will be an asset in this highly competitive global economy. Our students know that now is the time to take command of their careers. Face it. You are busy. You have work obligations, family commitments, and a life to live. We understand that. That s why our program provides the ultimate in flexibility and convenience. Our MBA fits your life; not the other way around. Wishing you much success and a great future! Bert Wolfs, Ph.D. Academic Dean Mission and Broad-Based Goals A) Mission SBS Swiss Business School was founded with a goal to foster academic excellence and student achievement on the graduate and undergraduate level in business and management. Its mission therefore is to provide students with a strong academic foundation with access to various specialized knowledge bases and prepare them to become productive, competent professionals, and responsible citizens in a diverse, dynamic global arena. It defines higher education from its beginning as the experience of thinking internationally. To do this it maintains a multi-cultural student body on its home campus along with its international centers. For SBS`Swiss Business School the international component is of paramount importance. It is designed to accommodate significant changes in the curriculum and variations in the student body in response to global shifts in social, political and economic conditions. B) Broad-Based Goals In order to carry out the mission, SBS strives to accomplish the following five goals: 1. Foster academic excellence and student achievement at the graduate and undergraduate level. 2. Encourage appropriate student behavior, ethics and attitudes which reflect the global understanding and lifelong learning. 3. Create an educational environment and learning community that fosters excellence in teaching and applied research. 4. Create a strong bond between SBS and the diverse local and global organizations which they serve through partnerships, outreach activities and communication to all stakeholders. 5. Promote business development through our academic achievements for our foreign entities. C) Vision SBS Swiss Business School aims to become Switzerland s leading Business School, recognized for its innovative contributions to business and management as well for ist accomplished and dedicated faculty in a multinationalcultural environment. The result is asingular learning experience gained from a cross-cultural, highly European, international perspective. In addition to its cross-cultural intent, it provides students with an interactive educational environment with a dynamic mix of innovative and traditional strategies. Our Core Values: L: Life Long Learning E: Excellence A: Ability-driven R: Responsibility for quality programs N: Nurture talents for the new global economy 1
Board of Trustees Mr. Wim Desmedt Logitech S.A., Switzerland Mrs. Marijana Karanfilofska Vice President Craig Shoemaker Honorary President of SBS Dr. Bert Wolfs Academic Dean Mr. Ebby Eapen E.S. Associates, India Johny Granges BCVS, Switzerland Trustees Emeriti Mr. Graham Arnold Former Dean International International Graduate School of Business University of South Australia Mr. Andreas Wettstein Allianz Insurance Switzerland Dr. Porpan Vachajitpan Associate Professor Faculty of Commerce & Accountancy Chulalongkorn University, Thailand Mr. Abel G. Aganbegyan Former President Academy of National Economy, Russia Mr. Johnny Granges Director Walliser Kantonalbank, Switzerland Mr. Robert Goetze CEO Stepping Stones Learning Center, USA Dr. Charles Merciera Former Honorary President of SBS Business Advisory Board Mr. Richard Ernst Compliance Officer UBS Mr. Stephen Gardner Director of Investor Relations Credit Suisse Mr. Hanspeter Ruggli President Swiss Conference for HF Dr. Frank Waltmann Head of Learning Novartis 2
Accreditation, Ranking and Membership SBS is fully accredited by the: International Assembly of Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) and by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Both organizations are US-wide accreditation bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, CHEA (www.chea.org). SBS Swiss Business School has received the Swiss Quality Certificate for Adult Education Institutions (eduqua). Membership SBS is a member of the following associations : Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), U.S.A. Swiss Federation for Adult Education (SVEB), Switzerland Swiss Federation of Private Schools (SFPS), Switzerland Central and Eastern European Management Association (CEEMAN), Slovenia Swiss Conference of Higher Education, Switzerland Switzerland Tourism, Switzerland Ranking European CEO has ranked SBS as the most innovative business school in Switzerland 2012 and its as the best remote learning program in Europe. For the last 4 years the program has been ranked by Financial Times SBS Swiss Business School has been ranked by the CEO Magazine in their Global MBA Rankings as a tier one business school for years 2012,2013,2014. In 2014 the CEO Magazine has awarded the Tier one ranked program in their Global MBA rankings. What is Online Learning? Online learning is a flexible and proven educational method that is designed for professionals to fit their study alongside work and family commitments. Course Materials as printed books by mainstream Business publisher are sent to students, who may follow the course content at their own pace from anywhere on the globe throughout the study period. www.sbsportal.ch 3
Introducing Online Learning Why choose Online Learning? The growth of online learning as a successful education delivery method for professionals has been profound in the last 15-20 years. If traditional face to face programs require you to attend classes on fixed locations at fixed dates, online learning programs do not place such demands. If you are often on-the-go, travel frequently or face constantly changing work commitments you may find the rigors of class work impossible to manage. The online learning format suits students ability to juggle the competing demands of work, family and study. Ultimately, this depends on the type of person you are, your lifestyle and how you prefer to learn. Online learning: Is a flexible method of learning - you fit in your studies when and where it suits you Is truly portable: if you move you can continue studying Is designed for students to take into the office, to apply their learning to workplace situations immediately Presents concepts and issues in a workplace context and draws this into the program s assessment system Reduces education online Study guides may be accessed again and again Offers a flexibility of choice as we can provide all units throughout the year. How Online Learning Works The SBS is conducted exclusively via online education. In conjunction with industry experts and academics, our team of instructors ensures that course materials contain consistent learning outcomes. You receive a comprehensive Study Guide for each unit which contains full course work, workplace activities, readings and references to further resources for each topic. Returning to Study Online education as a mode of study, can make learning proactive and more immediate than that on campus. Online education enables you to work at your own pace (within certain limits), at the times which suit your lifestyle, personal circumstances and in an environment of your choosing. The start of any new activity almost always generates some feelings of uncertainty and concern. Returning to study is no different in this respect. For many people the idea of studying as an adult, when perhaps they already have children at school or college, is a curious one. After all, if you are trained or have experience in a particular field or profession why should you study or retraining be necessary? Yet, over a typical working life of thirty-five to forty years, a whole series of technologies, laws, products and practices will come and go. Without further training we are not equipped to take advantage of such changes, or indeed to cope with them. Learning within the Workplace Our online-learning method provides you with true flexibility in your learning options. You can travel freely, relocate or live in remote areas without interrupting your MBA studies. Not only is the SBS truly portable, it also provides you with greater flexibility in: Study period length. Our study periods are 8 weeks in duration, which allows you to spend more time studying the material, applying it to the workplace, or taking a small break from your studies to focus on other commitments. Online assignment submission Discussion Forums: Your study groups can not travel with you, but discussion about your units can through the use of our Discussion Forums. Your assigned Professor is responsible for setting and marking the assignments and exams, providing commentary on the topics throughout the study period and academic assistance for any questions you have during your study. 4
Online Resources The SBS E-Learning portal allows you to access a range of online services to support your enrolment and study needs the online communication services are designed to enhance your participation in the SBS. As an online student, you have access to the following services: A Communication forum, online communities to enhance the communication between you, your class mates and faculty members. Online Communities are a major part of the online services for students. Students are able to download documents, hold discussions, and read news items specific to each unit. You will have access to a community for every unit. Additionally, there is a general Online Community to announce general issues that do not fall within the scope of a single unit. Online Communities are identified as an essential part for discussion about studies. It allows you to stay connected to your peers and professors, ensuring that even though the program is online based, it is not isolated. Active participation in the SBS forums will enrich your learning experience. You are encouraged to read the news and forums often and post your own thoughts and replies as appropriate. In addition you will have access to unit specific communities for each unit. This will provide you with: News & information regarding the unit Supplemental educational material provided as appropriate Links to other relevant sites The Opportunity to contact other students (e.g. to form study groups) A document archive, containing additional readings and articles. Programs Offered SBS Swiss Business School offers the online-learning Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with several majors. One may choose to earn their degree in at least one of these majors depending upon professional background and intellectual interests. Within these majors, a great deal of flexibility is provided so that students may focus their studies on issues most important to them and their career. International Management Marketing Global Finance & Banking Entrepreneurship Human Resource Management Understanding the Online Learning Model In our program, each course represents 3 credits out of a total of 48 (including 3 credits for the Master s thesis) which is equivalent to 90 ECTS credits. Students have the flexibility as to when and where they participate. It is required to complete projects, assignments, and exams, as assigned. The online-learning Master of Business Administration (MBA) program involves the completion of 15 courses and the master thesis. 10 courses are the core courses, common courses for all students to be followed in groups online. The reamining 5 courses are the specialized courses, depending on the major the student has chosen, followed individually. Applicants cannot transfer previously earned degrees from another institution, but can transfer credits from another higher learning institution. Length of each course is 8 weeks, completion time for the program is expected to be in the range of 28 months as an average. However, students may take up to 5 years for completion of the program. Examinations Each course has its specific completion modus. Some require a written final case analysis and/or projects. Others require a written mid-term and final examination to be held and submitted Online. Required Equipment If students have a PC and have daily access to the internet, a PDF reader, a Skype account and a Google+ account, they already have most of the equipment needed. 5
Online Learning Course Overview Specializations MBA in International Management International Marketing Accounting Skills International Business Finance Business Policy & Strategy International Business Competitiveness MBA Core Foundation Courses MBA in Marketing Fundamentals of Marketing Financial Management Marketing Research & Analasys International Marketing Retailing Strategy Buyer Behavior Services Marketing Organizational Behavior & Leadership Human Resource Management Managerial Economics MBA in Global Finance & Banking Financial Accounting & Theory Management Information Systems Operations and Project Management Communication & Negotiation Skills Global Financial Management Security and Investment Analysis Global Financial Institutions and Markets Portfolio Theory Futures and Options Master Thesis New Venture Creation MBA in Entrepreneurship Introduction to Entrepreneurship Financing the Entrepreneurial Venture Family Business Management Distributorship and Growth Management Buy-outs and Buy-ins MBA in Human Resource Management Performance Management Compensation Management Training and Development Organizational Culture and Change Employee Relations Management 6
Admission Candidates seeking admission to the MBA program hold a bachelor s degree or equivalent from a recognized educational institution. All MBA candidates must have a sound command of the English language, spoken and written. The final decision concerning the acceptance into the MBA program rests with SBS Swiss Business School. How to Apply? Applicants must provide the following documentation: 1. Completed and duly signed application form 2. Complete Curriculum Vitae indicating professional experiences 3. Certified copy of bachelor s degree 4. Official academic transcripts 5. A GMAT score of minimum 550, or SBS admission exam 6. TOEFL test results higher than 90 (if applicable) 7. Two reference letters (professional or academic) 8. Non-refundable application fee of SFr. 150. - 9. Two passport-sized photographs All applications should be submitted to the following address: SBS Swiss Business School Admissions Office Balz-Zimmermann-Str. 34, Building C 8302 Kloten Switzerland When to Apply? Places are offered on a continuing basis. The evaluation process requires about two weeks. We use five main points of reference: the conclusion reached by the interviewer, reasons for wanting to attend the MBA/EMBA course, academic and professional qualifications, exam scores, business career to date and comments from references. Practical Information Once accepted in a program, SBS Swiss Business School requires you to decide promptly whether or not to accept the offer. First instalment is payable at this time to ensure enrolment in the program. More detailed information is available from the Admissions Office. Transfers SBS Swiss Business School welcomes students who want to transfer from recognized educational institutions around the world. It is the responsibility of the student to have all official transcripts sent to the Admissions Office at SBS Swiss Business School. The admissions officer will decide on the transfer of credits based on the results of each subject. Credits can only be transferred for courses completed with grades of B or higher. The TOEFL exam is required for non-native English speakers. TOEFL scores should be higher than 90. TOEFL test code of SBS: 3722 more information at www.toefl.org GMAT test code of SBS: 7088 more information at www.gmat.org The GMAT score is just one of many criteria considered in your application: a high score does not guarantee admission, and a lower score does not necessarily eliminate an applicant. Please note that applicants to the program must have a minimum of two years professional experience.. 7
Tuition Fees Application fee (non-refundable)...chf 150.- Books and course materials (non-refundable):.........chf 2 000.- Term 1:............CHF 4 350.- Term 2:............CHF 4 350.- Term 3:............CHF 4 300.- Total:............CHF 15 150.- Refund Policy In case of withdrawal, tuition fees will be refunded as follows: 90% within the first two weeks after registration 50% within the third week after registration 0% after the third week from registration In exceptional cases and after having obtained special approval, SBS Swiss Business School will consider full refund. Graduation Requirements In order to graduate, students must meet the following criteria: 1. Complete all courses subject to the program including the Independent Research Project 2. Maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 which is equivalent to a B 3. Have no financial obligations to SBS Swiss Business School. Candidates who successfully complete the program will be awarded a Master of Business Administration degree from SBS Swiss Business School. Grading System The ECTS System The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a standard for comparing the study attainment and performance of students of hig er education across the European Union and other collaborating European countries. For successfully completed studies, ECTS credits are awarded. One academic year corresponds to 90 ECTS-credits that are equivalent to 1500 1800 hours of study in all countries irrespective of standard or qualification type and is used to facilitate transfer and progression throughout the European Union. A+ 97-100% 4.0 Excellent A 93-96%n 3.8 A- 90-92% 3.7 B+ 87-89% 3.3 Good B 83-86% 3.0 B- 80-82% 2.7 C+ 77-79% 2.3 Satisfactory C 73-76% 2.0 C- 70-72% 1.7 Special Marks F: Failure W: Withdraw Officially I: Incomplete TC: Transfer Credits Our programs are in accordance with European MBA standards equivalence of 90 ECTS credits. 8
Faculty Dr. Erdal Atukeren Ph.D., University of Ottawa, Canada (Economics) Mr. Helge Benz MBA, (HRM) Dr. Heinrich Furrer Ph.D., University of Zurich, Switzerland (Negotiation Skills) Mr. Thierry Kiefer MSc, INSA Strasbourg, France (Business Policy and Strategy) Dr. Pierre Kohler Ph.D., University of Lausanne, Switzerland (Operations Management) Mr. Mike Krey Ph.D. Candidate, University of Plymouth, UK (Management Information Systems) Dr. Carl-Gustaf Malmström Ph.D., University of Helsinki, Finland (Finance) Mr. Don Rosignoli CPA, LLM, University of Miami, USA (Accounting/Finance) Mr. Stephan Rothmund MA, University of Zurich, Switzerland (International Business Competitiveness) All faculty members are employed in international firms and organizations in their areas of expertise. Courses are therefore practical, updated and focused on the students. *Partial List 9
Professional Network These Companies have hired or sponsored our MBA students ABB AEA Bank Allianz Schweiz Alstom Power, Ltd ASP Consulting Autobak Barry Callebaut Cemex Credit Suisse Dell Deutsche Bank Digipack Gate Gourmet Givaudan Dübendorf AG IWC Julius Bär LTU Lucent Technologies Medtronic Merck Microsoft Nestlé Suisse Novartis Panalpina Die Post Ramsar Group Steg Computer Swiss Re Syngenta International AG UBS AG Zeag Alumni Info We encourage our graduates to stay in touch with us through a wide variety of alumni events, programs, reunions, and career resources. This connection is vital because it enables our alumni to maintain contact with their peers; receive and provide lifelong learning and career support; make financial contributions, help with school enhancements; and participate in social events that are held around the world. For more information on upcoming Alumni Events, please visit our website: www.sbs.edu 10
How to Find Us Zurich has been consistently ranked as one of the top cities for quality of life and voted 7th best student city worldwide. By Public Transportation The station Balsberg can be reached with the train line S7 going from Zurich Main Station to Winterthur. Balsberg is a two-minute walk from SBS. There is a bus stop in front of the building, where one can take connecting buses going on to the airport or the towns of Kloten, Bülach, Glattbrugg, or other places in the surroundings. By Car SBS is located near the highway between Zurich and the airport. Coming from all directions, take the highway to Zurich Airport, take the exit Glattbrugg. Turn right at the first traffic signal and take a left turn at the following traffic signal. SBS will be on the right after approximately 600 meters. We are located in building C on the 2nd floor. Parking You can use the visitor paying parking space, in front of building A. For visitors and students an alternative parking facility can be found at P60. Address SBS Swiss Business School Balz-Zimmermann-str. 34-38, Building C 8302 Kloten - Zurich Switzerland Phone Phone: +41 44 880 00 88 E-mail General inquiries: info@sbs.edu Office Hours Mon - Fr: 08:30 AM - 06:00 PM Saturday 08:30 AM - 12:30 PM Follow SBS on Social Media Facebook: www.facebook.com/swissbusinessschool Twitter: www.twitter.com/sbsedu Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/sbs-swiss-business-school Youtube: www.youtube.com/swissbusinessschool RSS Feed: www.sbs.edu/rss SBS Swiss Business School reserves all rights to change its rules and regulations at any time. SBS Swiss Business School will accept no liability or obligations if the courses described in SBS prospectus are not provided. However, SBS will take such steps as are available to it to minimise the effect of any alterations or withdrawal of a course. Such steps may include the offer of a place on an alternative course. 11
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