The Value of the MSBA: From a Parent's Perspective

"Two down and one to go!", my husband and I commented to each other on a fine, sunny day in April, 2013. We would soon be the parents of a pair of college graduates! What an accomplishment! Fellow moms and dads, you know the feeling. Thus, you can imagine our surprise when our son approached us over Easter break that year to tell us that he had applied to the MSBA program at The Catholic University of America.

I have to admit that our son was quite the salesman. He had already taken the GRE’s, calculated the tuition cost, quoted the impressive statistics of previous MSBA classes, established a graduation ETA, and quipped that, most importantly, the course material had truly piqued his interest. One more year, one year more, were we on board? My, time flies, right? Of course we were on board! The particulars for the MSBA program at Catholic U were most impressive, and our son would attain a Master’s Degree and become even more marketable in one more year! Sign him up.

The stage was set, and he entered the MSBA program in August of 2013 with his undergraduate degree of Politics in hand. My husband and I were amazed at how quickly the students were immersed and versed in business analytics. The days were long as our son shared his schedule: an internship in the A.M. hours to noon, classes until 6 P.M., and homework/research/group meetings into the late hours of the evening. These hours actually rivaled a day in the life of a parent…impressive! Quite honestly, though, our family noticed that our son was broadening his horizons and becoming more resolute about his career path. The annual trip to New York City solidified friendships, business contacts, and a renewed respect for Professor Stewart McHie, Program Director.

It became evident that the MSBA program had been the perfect choice for our son. The program bridged the gap between that all-important, yet somewhat uncertain, first year out of college and a career. So then, who are you, and what did you do with our son? The confidence gained was priceless. He was employed within three months of graduation! My husband and I feel that the goals of the MSBA program can best be summed up in the words of Benjamin Franklin, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” What parent can ask for more?

Name withheld to protect the guilty!