Even as undergraduate programs at Washington University continued to be ranked 12th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, the fall semester has seen several prominent and improved rankings go to graduate programs.
One of the world’s leading business newspapers, The Financial Times, ranked the Washington University-Fudan University Executive MBA (EMBA) Program as the seventh best international MBA program in the world.
The EMBA program is a joint educational endeavor between the Olin Business School at Washington University and the School of Management at Fudan University in Shanghai. The program was the first U.S.-Sino combined program in China when it was founded in 2002.
Originally designed to prepare Chinese managers for executive positions around the world, the program attracts about 75 percent of its students from China.
“China has a shortage of trained managerial professionals,” said James Little, the program’s academic director. “The economy has grown so fast.”
For EMBA students in the Olin Business School, the program requires them to spend 10 days in Shanghai completing joint course work.
“Our mission worldwide is to create knowledge, inspire individuals, and transform business,” said Mahendra Gupta, dean of the Olin Business School, in a recent interview with the Record. “To achieve our mission, we need to be consistently excellent so that we attract the best faculty and students and provide the best learning experience.”
The Financial Times’ rankings are based on surveys of alumni conducted three years after graduating.
“[The rankings are based] 50 percent on students and 50 percent on the program itself,” said Little. “It looks at career progress and salary increases.”
Students complete surveys regarding the program three years after graduating.
Bill Croghan, a current student in the program, has been satisfied with his experience thus far.
“One thing is clear-the EMBA program provides an outstanding environment for each of the students enrolled in the program,” said Croghan. “As an entrepreneur and business owner of 25 years, my experience with the EMBA program has been exceptional.”
Croghan is the founder of Boa Construction Company, a St. Louis homebuilding and remodeling company. Croghan has been especially pleased with the practicality of the program’s classes on the job.
“The value offered consists of deliberate, escalating effective experiences, challenging students in the program to broaden creative, effectual business thinking,” Croghan said.
Little says students like Croghan are part of why the program is ranked so high.
“The students are really good,” said Little. “It’s not a surprise they do well.”
While Little is also proud of the program’s ranking, he is most pleased with the overall recognition.
“I’m not a big believer in rankings as rankings,” said Little. “What seems to me to be most important is what kind of schools you are ranked with.”
Architecture rises in prominence
Architect Online recently ranked the Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design and the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts fifth.
“Recent grads, practicing architects and retired architecture alums all appreciate the recognition and rise in the rankings, knowing that the quality, level and expectations of our program are high,” said Carmon Coangelo, dean of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. “Obviously our students are well-trained and ambitious. Firms love our graduates.”
Coangelo also credits the new Dean of Architecture, Bruce Lindsey, as contributing to the program’s success. Lindsey arrived at the University last year from Auburn University.
“[Lindsey] is providing outstanding leadership,” said Coangelo. “[Lindsey], a well known leader in the field, and nationally recognized for his work with rural studio, has generated excitement among students and alums.”
Lindsey credits the entire architecture community for contributing to the impressive ranking.
“It is a testament to the great work of our students and faculty,” said Lindsey.
Coangelo looks forward to the architecture program continuing its rise to the top.
“With all the success of Washington University and [the] longstanding reputation of the architecture program, we are poised for even greater success,” said Coangelo. “We have great students, great facilities and great faculty and staff, and lots of ambition to be a global leader.”
In a recent interview with Student Life, Chancellor Mark Wrighton said keeping the focus on students will contribute to the University’s growth and development.
“We’ve enjoyed great success, I believe, because we keep our focus on the student experience,” he said.
Wrighton believes that strong academic programs will contribute to the University’s overall quality.
“If we have great faculty, great progress, great students and wonderful facilities, I think we’ll have a great university,” he said.
WU Graduate Program Rankings
The Financial Times
7th Best International Program in the World
Washington University – Fudan University Executive MBA Program
Architect Online
5th Best Graduate School
Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design and the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts