Wisconsin

History

In 1838, a bill was passed by the state territorial legislature to establish a University of Wisconsin at or near Madison. The act was incorporated in July 26, 1848. The first campus building, North Hall opened in 1851. The Wisconsin School of Business was founded in 1900 and was established as one of the first five business programs in the nation. In 1929, the School of Business established the country’s first graduate program in public utilities, while the country’s first graduate program in arts administration came into effect in 1968. The Institute for Environmental Studies came into being in 1970. The Business School launched the first graduate program in healthcare fiscal administration in 1972.

MISSION STATEMENT

The primary purpose of the University of Wisconsin–Madison is to provide a learning environment in which faculty, staff and students can discover, examine critically, preserve and transmit the knowledge, wisdom and values that will help ensure the survival of this and future generations and improve the quality of life for all. The university seeks to help students to develop an understanding and appreciation for the complex cultural and physical worlds in which they live and to realize their highest potential of intellectual, physical and human development.

Core Strengths of the School

The Wisconsin MBA program equips the students with a portfolio of skills, experience and specialized knowledge that gives them a competitive edge in today’s highly competitive business world. The extensive applied learning initiatives have been integrated with the core curriculum of the program, thus giving an opportunity to the students to implement their classroom learning and network with industry experts. The small-size close knit program fosters a collaborative approach among students who receive intense personalized attention from renowned faculty members and build lasting relationships. The learning environment offered at Wisconsin is the USP of Wisconsin MBA program. Students acquire a broad understanding of the core business concepts and develop expertise in the area of chosen concentration. Students receive extensive coaching in the specialization chosen by them from business leaders of industries who share their insights and experiences. The entire Wisconsin MBA experience provides a professional edge to the students by developing them as innovative business leaders. The School believes in maintaining high standards of academic integrity and expects the students to testify their promise to uphold the highest standards of integrity during their academic pursuit at Wisconsin by signing a personal statement and Honor of Code.

Uniqueness in MBA Pedagogy

Applied Learning is an integral part of the Wisconsin MBA program. Applied Learning has been embedded into the core curriculum of the entire MBA program. During the first semester, students work in a team of individuals belonging to different functional backgrounds to perform an integrated company analysis ICA. Each team comes up with a new product, service or strategy that would enhance the company’s brand image in the market and alleviate its share value. At the end of the project, students give presentations in front of the core faculty member who plays the role of CEO or CFO of the publicly traded company. Apart from ICA, students partner with client organizations to come up with real-world deliverables. These are the Applied Projects that give hands-on experience to the students within their area of specialization and encourage them to develop, design and implement sustainable solutions. Each specialization offers Applied Projects, where students can immerse themselves into the businesses of the client organizations and present their recommendations to the high-profile executives of the organization. There are workshops and interaction opportunities with executives, business leaders and alumni that facilitate real world learning among students.

The Wisconsin MBA Global Business Program GBP is an initiative taken by the School to prepare its students to work in a global economy. Students travel to key business locations, where they interact with corporate executives, researchers, entrepreneurs, strategists and educators from varied industries and acquire a holistic understanding of how business is conducted in the region. Students immerse themselves into the culture and economy of the visiting country during this eight-day study abroad trip. The corporate site visits and manufacturing site visits enhance the understanding of the students on the current efficient business practices. Students have travelled to Africa, Turkey, South America, China, Japan, etc., and returned with a global outlook and cultural understanding.

The Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship is committed to teaching and developing entrepreneurial management and development to the students through its initiatives such as Weinert Applied Ventures in Entrepreneurship (WAVE) program.

CONCENTRATIONS OFFERED

LOCATION ADVANTAGES

The Wisconsin MBA program in held at the Grainger Hall, home of the Wisconsin School of Business, and is located in the heart of downtown Madison. Madison is home to several developing high-tech companies like Google, Microsoft, etc. The area’s high level of education has attracted several companies to Madison in order to capitalize on the skill-base offered by the region. During the winter season, there are several recreational activities for sports enthusiasts namely- ice boating, ice skating, ice hockey, ice fishing, cross-country skiing and snowkiting. Madison has a vibrant music environment with the biggest headliners performing at the Orpheum Theatre, the Overture Center or the UW Theatre. The city hosts several musical festivals like Waterfront Festival, the Willy St. Fair, Atwood Summerfest, and the Isthmus Jazz Festival, etc.

CAREER SUPPORT

The MBA Career Management Center CMC works at enhancing the marketability of its students by equipping them with outstanding skills and knowledge that would help them pursue their career goals. The Center provides extensive career support and addresses the individual career needs of each student. The MBA Career Development Series begins right from the first day of the MBA program. The School houses 10 knowledge centers each of which provide the requisite tools and resources for the students to excel in their chosen career paths. Additionally, the one-to-one strategic career advising and extensive networking opportunities with business professionals and alumni are an integral part of the services provided by the center. The career fairs are an opportunity for the students to connect with potential employers and convert these opportunities into internship or full-time job offers.