by Glenn Tschimpke
Staff Writer
Webster University began offering a master’s degree program in business this week at its new downtown location.
The St. Louis-based university opened a small campus Monday in the Federal Building at 400 W. Bay St. offering evening business classes toward its regionally accredited Master’s of Business Administration program.
Webster University officials expect their downtown educational offering to be well received.
“This was need-based,” said Lisa Snowberger, marketing representative for Webster University. “We had a lot of requests to give classes down there.”
Four one-night-a-week classes are offered Monday through Thursday from 5-9:30 p.m. for eight weeks. The summer semester, which runs through July 27, features classes in accounting theory, beginning business, marketing and operations management.
“Our classes are graduate classes in the evenings, which is more or less our market,” explained Snowberger. “We target people who work all day and need accelerated programs.”
Classes are limited to 25 students, but Snowberger said there is still availability in each of the current downtown offerings. Webster also makes enrollment in its MBA program relatively easy. Unlike traditional university graduate programs, Webster does not require applicants to take the GMAT or GRE tests. Rather, the university operates on a continuing merit system based on the student’s grade point average.
At one room, Webster’s recent expansion into downtown isn’t technically a campus, but Snowberger sees it as a start to what could become a rich market for after-hours degree seekers. With downtown residences on the rebound, evening classes could fit neatly into future downtown dwellers’ after work plans.
“I think it’s a great idea,” she said. “With the revitalization of downtown, there will be people that live and work down there.”
The Webster University website lists a tentative schedule of business classes through May 2004 at its downtown campus.
“You can get your entire degree there,” said Snowberger.
While Webster University is able to use to the space gratis through a special arrangement with the U.S. Government, provided federal employees have access to classes, Snowberger sees potential in the fledgling campus.
“Every site we’ve ever opened started really small and grows every term,” she said.
Webster University has gotten much mileage from its satellite campuses. The 87-year-old academic institution has about 100 campuses worldwide. The downtown campus marks its third in Jacksonville — NAS Jacksonville and South Metro at U.S. Highway 1 and Interstate 95 being the other two locations.