Academics
Opened in 1997, the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University offers a partor full-time traditional MBA and executive MBA program, as well as an MS in accounting and taxation and an MS in Information Systems. Students may attend the traditional MBA on campus or online, but the other programs require on-campus and full-time attendance. As of August 2015, the traditional MBA requires all students to take nine hours of foundation courses and thirty-six core/elective hours. Those who studied business as an undergraduate may waive many or all of the nine foundation hours. Students in the traditional MBA program must choose a concentration in Finance, General Management, Information Systems, or Marketing, though students may opt for an interdisciplinary concentration with the approval of their academic advisor. Those taking courses online may only do an interdisciplinary concentration from the above areas. Pursued full-time, the MBA may completed in less than 18 months online or on-campus. All of FGCU’s MBAs receive solid training in systems orientation and relevant technology. Additionally, students in all programs leave with strong analytical and creative thinking skills, communication, and interpersonal skills. They appreciate that the program is newer than most and that they are a part of a “growing institution” and “community,” with a “beautiful” and “expanding campus” and “state-of-the-art infrastructure and classrooms with highly integrated technology.”
The program’s strengths are its “flexibility and the professors,” as well as the small classes that allow people to know their “professors and other classmates on a more personal level.” The faculty has lots of “real-world work experience,” and “draw from their experience and teach you real-world applications of the academics.” They’re “engaging, accessible, and interested in your personal and professional development.” Classes range from “exceedingly demanding” to “easy,” but either way it can be tough for those working full time or who’ve been out of school for a while to “adjust to the course load.” Students report that “course selection and availability is somewhat limited,” which can make it difficult to get all the classes needed to complete a degree in a shortened timeframe.” Electives are also offered less consistently than students would like.
FGCU has forged relationships with many international business schools and has an international student exchange program known as the “Second Circle.” The program allows students from universities in France, Germany, New Zealand, and Sweden to study at FGCU for up to two semesters. FGCU students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher may spend up to two semesters at designated partner universities in these countries. Second Circle is an impressive and rewarding program for students seeking to deepen their understanding of international business and who want to gain experience abroad and work on their language skills.
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