Pedro Márquez was chatting enthusiastically with one of his MBA students late one Friday, telling him how much he’d liked the latest book by Canadian management guru Henry Mintzberg. By Monday morning, the student and four others arrived for class with their own copy of the book, having rushed out to buy it over the weekend.
Such willingness to seek out new learning opportunities is what makes Royal Roads University MBA students such a pleasure to teach, says Dr. Márquez, Dean of the university’s Faculty of Management. And, he adds, it’s why a Royal Roads graduate makes such a terrific addition to the workplace.
Royal Roads left behind its roots as a West Coast military college 15 years ago, reinventing itself as a new kind of university – one that puts real-world work experience on par with academic learning to shape a unique learning environment.
Its MBA program incorporates that ethos into everything it does. It starts by making the most of the wealth of knowledge the students themselves bring from across Canada to the stunning ocean-front university, located in Greater Victoria.
“The average age of an MBA student at Royal Roads is 41,” says Dr. Márquez. “These are people already working in management careers. They’ve got a good list of successes and failures already under their belts. They come to Royal Roads because they really want to learn how to become better managers.”
An MBA program for mid-career adults must be designed to respond to the specific needs of busy professionals. These individuals need studies that not only fit their tight schedules, but build on their own experiences and observations for a more powerful learning outcome.
“These students are eager to learn and highly motivated, but they won’t take theory just as theory,” says Dr. Márquez. “They want to know how that concept is going to change decision-making in the boardroom back at their workplace.”
Much of the learning for Royal Roads’ 18-month MBA program is done online. The distance learning component allows students to continue to work and maintain family responsibilities while studying. Despite the difficulties that go along with traditional distance learning programs, Royal Roads programs are designed to ensure success through supportive faculty, innovative program delivery and collaborative team work.
Two critical three-week residencies at the beginning and end of the program allow students to meet and build connections with fellow classmates and faculty. The residencies give students time with their classmates to unite as a team.
Royal Roads selects instructors based on their own real-world experiences and teaching skills, and its Advisory Council of business and community leaders work to keep the MBA curriculum current.
Having a Royal Roads MBA graduate on staff benefits employers in a number of ways says Dr. Márquez. Every student compiles a case study on a business problem that is frequently drawn directly from their own workplace.
“Employers get an individual with not only significantly strong business skills, but capable of working with others on problem-solving,” says Dr. Márquez. “They get someone who has learned how to learn and can apply the new tools they’ve acquired. And they may get a specific problem solved, too.”
Students with an undergraduate degree and seven years of professional experience can be considered for this MBA program. Royal Roads recognizes that some applicants may not have completed an undergraduate degree, and, instead, may have acquired significant knowledge and experience through work and life experience; these applicants can apply to the program through the university’s flexible admission process.
“People come for the learning and end up on a journey of self-discovery that transforms them and the work they do,” says Dr. Márquez. “The age and maturity of the students, the beauty of this place – it all lends itself to reflection.”
- Jody Paterson
