A Problem-Based, Collaborative Learning Approach to Distance Education at the MBA Level: e.MBA@PACE

This paper addresses some of the issues associated with developing distance education at the MBA level. Several approaches are considered. The Internet-based asynchronous MBA program developed at the Lubin school of Business of Pace University is described in detail. This program, called .eMBA@PACE, uses a problem-based, collaborative learning approach to distance education in its curriculum design. The program is team-taught and students proceed through the 24-month program as a cohort. The program uses eight projects that are solved by virtual teams of students and one project that is accomplished by individual students. Teams vary throughout the program. There are nine residencies in the program including an eight-day, orientation residency in which an initial project is solved and eight weekend residencies that follow each of the remaining projects. During the residencies, students present their project solutions to industry experts and the faculty; students are assessed on their understanding of the MBA learning objectives associated with each project. They are also introduced to the business project that is to be solved and presented at the next residency and taught managerial skills through a variety of workshops. The distance-based learning environment for the program is supported by Blackboard’s Courseinfo courseware.