Naval Postgraduate School's Graduate School of Business & Public Policy introduces Executive MBA Program. (Professional Development).

The Graduate School of Business & Public Policy at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) launched the Navy first Executive MBA Program in July a the Naval Air Station in Lemoore, California. (A second program will begin in October 2002 in Pensacola, Florida Other entry dates are in the months of January and April. The sites have not yet been determined.)

More than a dozen carefully selected Navl aviation officers began the Defense-focused program with a rigorous one-week resident introductory session in Monterey. The remainder of the 24-month, part-time program is taught through two-way audio and video tele-conferencing and other modes distance learning.

"The Executive MBA Program represents a quantum leap in NPS' efforts to provide education opportunities to our aviation officers throughout the fleet," said Rear Admiral David R. Ellison, Superintendent of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. The NPS Executive MBA Program focuses on the military management and policy issues unique to DoD. It provides an advanced education in interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving and policy analysis by applying quantitative, financial, economics, information technology, and other state-of-the-art management techniques and concepts to military management and policy issues.

Students learn analytical and critical thinking skills necessary in making strategic decisions under conditions of uncertainty. Sponsored by the Bureau of Naval Personnel, the Executive MBA Program is an effort to increase the Navy's financial and acquisition expertise. "With over a 100-billion-dollar budget, it is vital that, as good fiduciary stewards of pubic trust, the Navy spends its money wisely and effectively," said visiting NPS professor and retired Vice Admiral Paul F. McCarthy.

Eligibility requirements include lieutenant commander and above, with exceptions made for some senior-level lieutenants; strong recommendations in leadership skills are required from their command. Eligibility is also extended to GS-12 and above. Prospective students must meet the admissions requirements set forth by the Naval Postgraduate School. Upon successful completion of the 54-credit-hour program, graduates are granted an Executive MBA degree from NPS.

The Graduate School of Business & Public Policy is currently considering additional sites for future program locations. Sites require command sponsorship and designated video teleconferencing equipment for course delivery.

The Graduate School of Business & Public Policy is responsible for academic programs designed to educate officers and DoD civilian employees in a variety of functional management specialties. The school offers resident graduate programs and non-resident graduate programs using on-site instruction or the latest distance-learning techniques.

The Graduate School of Business & Public Policy and its graduate programs have achieved the distinction of being one of only two institutions in the country earning dual accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.

For further information, contact Becky Jones, Graduate School of Business & Public Policy, [phone], or e-mail her at [e-mail].