MBAO Residency Guide

TO EXPECT AT UTAH’S

MBA ONLINE RESIDENCY

WHAT IS RESIDENCY?

The MBA Online Residency is an optional, three-day, on-campus experience at the University of Utah. It occurs at the beginning of a student’s first fall semester and fulfills a 1.5-credit class. It is built into the program curriculum, so lodging, meals, and classroom materials are all included in tuition.

Residency is engineered for students to be introduced to the MBA Online program, form lasting connections with peers and professors, and gain a sense of the University of Utah culture while attending class on campus. Residency allows online MBA students to acquire many benefits of pursuing an MBA in person in just three days, from network building to increased teamwork skills.

Every single moment was valuable. First and foremost, being able to network before starting the program was very important. I was able to get to know my fellow students and create relationships and bonds I have never had with classmates before. Second, meeting the faculty was so cool. Sitting, chatting, and asking those get-to-knowyou questions makes the program more personable. Third, the content we covered was extremely valuable; if I could redo this past weekend, I would do it in a heartbeat because the content we covered hit home for me. Also, it was great being able to stay in the same hotel as everyone to network even more afterward.

- Jessica Colon

Students participating in a team-building activity at Residency

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

Typically, 1.5 credit courses are five weeks long. Residency allows students to earn 1.5 credits in three days while gaining the benefits of in-person engagement and exposure to the University of Utah’s campus. Here is what to expect from your time at the MBA Online Residency:

Lectures and Collaborative Group Work

Premier faculty provide lectures combined with hands-on, collaborative group work during the day. Pre-readings may be assigned so class discussions can be elevated. Lectures are heavily focused on effective teamwork so that you have success interacting with peers throughout the program and can bring team and leadership skills to your career.

Networking Socials

In the evenings, the MBA Online program hosts optional student socials for you to further connect with your peers. Take advantage of this time to build your network and establish lasting relationships.

Amenities

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are provided to sustain you throughout the day. We reserve a hotel room near campus for you and encourage all students— local or not—to immerse themselves in the experience and stay at the same location as the rest of the cohort.

Students listening to a lecture at Residency

WHY CONSIDER RESIDENCY?

We strongly encourage all MBA Online students to participate in the on-campus residency component of the program if possible. Here are the main reasons we think attending is important:

Most of the top online MBA programs in the world have residencies built into their programs because of the learning, networking, and immersion benefits.

Students have the opportunity to learn about leadership and teamwork from our top-ranked faculty in an in-person environment.

All students, even those living in the Salt Lake Valley, have the option to stay in the same location on or near campus, allowing students to meet peers from near and far.

Connections forged during the residency are invaluable and provide a support system for students during and after the MBA.

The Robert H. and Katherine B. Garff Building: the location of Residency activities

HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS

The MBAO residency was great for networking with both professionals from my own cohort and from other cohorts, and that made it all the more enjoyable and productive. The real-time collaborative discussion and problem-solving group activities were a great way to help us engage with each other, the professors, and the course content covered during the residency.

- Josceline Mascarenhas

This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I think every program should have something like this. I gained so much from these three days: the networking, the content covered, and the ability to mingle with the MBA administrative coordinators was just so amazing. Both Dr. Cadman and Dr. Cummings made learning so much fun, and their passion for what they do really shined through. This truly was the most amazing experience and I’m so thankful to have been a part of it.”

- Jessica Colon

There’s been a lot more interaction than I was expecting. The professors are very well polished and have been doing a phenomenal job. My number one takeaway from residency is not to focus so much just on the classes and the courses but to really get to know the people.

- Dan Shaw

It was definitely a valuable experience. The whole staff went out of their way to make everyone feel welcome.

- Wayne Yarhall

Learn more about Residency and the MBA Online program on our website:

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