Benedict College launches first graduate program

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Benedict College has launched the first graduate program in the school's 149-year history.

The Masters of Business Administration program will open to its first group of students on July 1, The State reported.

The program, announced in a news release Friday, will be housed at the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship. It will feature three concentrations: general business, management and supply chain management. Students will be able to take classes both in-person and online.

"The MBA has been one of the most sought-after degrees," said Janeen Witty, Benedict's vice president for academic affairs.

Students will be able to complete the program, first envisioned when Benedict's leaders were making their 2012-2017 strategic plan, in 18 months, Witty said.

Students have already begun signing up, Benedict spokeswoman Kymm Hunter said.

For the first year, the only people eligible for the program will be those with an undergraduate business degree, Witty said. Next year, the school hopes to open it up to those with a variety of undergraduate degrees, she said.

Officials at the historically black Columbia-based school are seeking accreditation for the new MBA program , which is something Witty said the school cannot receive before the program opens.

The private, Baptist school has an enrollment of more than 2,100 students, according to its website.

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com