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Master of Business (MBA)

By Sara Myers-Hogshead, Digital Media & Communications Specialist 

Alumna Emily Hartzog

Though she grew up in San Diego, California, RU Alumni Emily Hartzog’s mother convinced her to look at a small, private school in Illinois when Hartzog was looking at colleges. 

Her mother grew up in Rockford and suggested she look at Rockford University while Hartzog was originally looking at bigger schools in California to attend. Schools like the University of California San Diego (UCSD), the University of California, Los Angeles, and Pepperdine University were originally on her list.

“They (Rockford) were the only school that took the time for personal attention, and UCSD is not going to call you personally and say we hope you attend,” Hartzog said. “You’re one of 100,000 students.”

She said she remembers receiving the Rockford viewbook and seeing the campus with its shades of green that she had never seen growing up on the West Coast. 

“I started as an anthropology, sociology major,” she said. “I think I wanted to go into corporate mediation, which is pursuing a law degree. I think over time, I just found myself leaning toward business. It was unintentional.”

Some of Hartzog’s favorite classes at Rockford were with business professor Gary Lubbert. She said he brought in a lot of practical business knowledge and went beyond the textbook.

“It was fundamentals and you just have to have been in the business world, especially on the marketing side. He was just so passionate about it. His classes were so fun and engaging.”

Hartzog also enjoyed Jeff Fahrenwald’s classes, where the professor discussed leadership and the organizational side of business. 

During her time at Rockford, she was very involved as a member of the dance team, a student activities committee member, and a resident advisor. She said it was nice how quickly she was able to get involved on campus, and how you don’t have to be in a leadership position. She recalls going to a national conference with the student activities committee and winning an award.

After graduation in 1998, Hartzog was offered a full-time position in Rockford’s admissions office. She had been working part-time in the office during her last semester in undergrad when her friend in the admissions office went on maternity leave and she was asked to help fill the gap in the intermission.

Once her friend came back from leave, the office asked if she was interested in taking on transfer recruitment and performing arts recruitment. She took the position and started to study for her MBA during night classes.

“It was a lot of fun and travel and in admissions,” she said. “I was still close to the college world. I could speak authentically to the experience and I got my MBA at the same time, so it was great.”

Hartzog went on to work at SupplyCore after meeting the HR director in her MBA classes. This position was a big learning curve and her first step into the business world. There, she wrote press releases, reviewed government contract proposals, and helped with training other employees.

She said it was not easy to leave SupplyCore and move on to the Rockford Public Library, she got to be a director, which ultimately solidified her decision to move into that role. 

“It was a step up in my career and being the one responsible for managing a budget and taking on all sorts of projects,” she said. “In my time at the library, we rebranded, which was huge. It’s a huge project. I integrated a whole new library system, which had a technical component but also had a communications component and a training component.” 

Since 2013, Hartzog has worked at Chartwell Agency, where she recently was promoted to President. She was initially recruited when the agency was a “traditional public relations agency.”

Since then, the agency has grown immensely. It has a fully in-house creative team that includes videography, photography, and web development. She adds that the agency’s roots are still in public relations and storytelling.

“I think our growth and my changing role are almost kind of symbolic of marketing as a whole and continue to evolve, the mediums we use continue to change the expectations of people receiving our messages, and how brands need to connect continues to change,” she said. “It’s almost like a metaphor, how much we’ve grown, how much we’ve evolved, and how much you have to do as a marketing agency.”

This article is from the 2023-2024 issue from Catalyst

by Sara Myers-Hogshead, Digital Media & Communications Specialist 

For alumna Lisa Blakeley-Snyder (‘17), traveling far from home was not in the cards for college. She did not want to go too far from Rockford, her home since middle school. She looked at schools in Wisconsin and near Chicago, but she also knew she wanted to continue playing softball.

It was her Winnebago High School softball coach, Annie Getschel, who told her about Rockford University, where Getschel was coaching softball at the time. 

“She didn’t persuade me by any means, but it had the best financial aid package of any of the schools that I toured,” Blakeley-Snyder said. “Which was important because throughout my time at the university, I never took out any student loans and I just paid as I was going.”

Blakeley-Snyder received her B.S. in psychology and a minor in business from RU in 2017. She said that earlier in life, she wanted to “change the world” and help people, so she originally planned to pursue a career in counseling or social work. 

Some of her favorite classes at RU were taught by Dr. Joel Lynch in the Psychology Department. In those classes, she realized she could help people be happier in their careers if she worked in the human resources (HR) realm and decided to pursue a minor in business.

Though she did not live on campus, she made sure to be involved during her undergrad years. One of Blakeley-Snyder’s good friends was an RA (Resident Advisor) who hosted many dorm events that Blakeley-Snyder would attend and help coordinate. 

“One of my favorite ones was when she had a luau-themed spring event,” she said. “I helped her set up the punch bowl. Then we made sure to decorate a little gathering space in the dorm room with Hawaiian decorations, and we had our Hawaiian shirts on.”

She also participated in intramurals, like basketball and dodgeball, and attended student life events like Casino Night and Bingo. In addition, she played on the softball team while she pursued her bachelor’s degree. 

She decided to further her education and received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2020. During that time she worked in the RU’s Office of Admissions and coached softball. Blakeley-Snyder had multiple roles in the admissions office including Undergraduate Admissions Office Aide, Adult & Graduate Admission Specialist, and Adult & Graduate Admission Recruiter. 

She left RU in 2020 to pursue a career at Road Ranger where she still works today.

At Road Ranger, she started as an HR representative. She had known for a while that she wanted to get into the HR field, but she was having trouble finding a company that would hire her due to her lack of HR experience. She explained that Road Ranger was the company that gave her a chance.

Blakeley-Snyder soon moved into a recruiting manager role. She knew that with her recruiting background, it would be something that she could excel in.

“One of my favorite parts of my job is I have a lot of autonomy and I make a lot of important decisions for the company. I’m interested in doing that, and I travel almost once a month.”

She’s been able to meet and train people for in-person, entry-level jobs like a cashier for one of the local truck stops. She adds that her MBA program helped her grow confidence in herself for the position she’s in now.

“The MBA program helped me—not that I was super reserved— but it helped get me more elevated and out of my comfort zone,” she said. “To the point where I said, ‘We’re a bulk-hiring group, I have no problem doing group presentations in front of 40 people or directing different big top items, including partnering with people in a much higher position, and then also knowing my voice has a reason.’”

This article is part of the 2023-2024 issue of Catalyst

Rockford University alumni Sobhi Baghdadi ’15 at graduation in cap and gown

When Sobhi Baghdadi ’15 first considered attending Rockford University, it seemed like a good way to leave the unrest of the Middle East for a year or two.

He never imagined it would become a pathway to life in the United States.

Seven years later, however, Sobhi is a permanent U.S. resident and works as a financial advisor in the St. Charles office of Savant Wealth Management.

Rockford University alumni Sobhi Baghdadi ’15 holding a flag
Sobhi Baghdadi ’15 holding the Lebanese flag.

“Attending Rockford University was a life-changing event,” he said. “It was the gateway that opened my eyes to a career and future in the United States.”

With a finance degree from American University of Beirut in Lebanon, Sobhi enrolled for Rockford University’s MBA (Master of Business Administration) program at the urging of his uncle, a longtime Rockford physician.

“He told me about Rockford University and said, ‘I know it’s a good program because a lot of the executives from Rockford companies teach there,’” Sobhi recalled.

With civil unrest near his family’s home in The Middle East, the idea of attending school in the United States for a few years was attractive. Perhaps after graduation, he thought, the situation would have settled down and he could return.

But with the help of Rockford University’s Office of Global Affairs, Sobhi settled quickly into American life and began to envision a future here instead.

“When you start living the American Dream and you start seeing opportunities of the future, there is no limit,” he said. “As much as you can work, this country will be your land of opportunity. I felt that if I really wanted to leave my fingerprint on this life, this should be my home.”

Rockford University alumni Sobhi Baghdadi ’15 jumping in front of University sign
Alumni Sobhi Baghdadi ’15 and Tariq Al-Mutawa ’15 in front of the Rockford University entrance.

Even today, he remembers the lessons he learned at Rockford University in both his personal and professional life. From the MBA program director, he learned professionalism and management skills. From his organizational communication professor, he learned how to handle life situations in the United States.

“That was my roadmap to live in the US,” he said.

And from his business law professor, he got a fascinating glimpse into the three-branch government system in the United States. He continues to read and research current events through that lens.

“He gave me my first introduction to the judicial system in the United States,” Sobhi said. “It made me love even more the law in the US and how the interaction of the three branches of government happen.”

Thanks to Rockford University events intended to blend US and international students, Sobhi learned about American culture and found others very welcoming of his. The Office of Global Affairs, through its events and staff, showed Sobhi what it meant to live in the land of the free, with rights and protections that aren’t found in non-democratic societies.

“The Global Affairs Office was what let me live in this country – to feel safe, healthy and included,” Sobhi said. “It’s the bridge between the university and the rest of the world.”

Master of Business Administration Online Course Schedules

Summer: May 18 through July 18, 2020

Course Number Course Name Format Instructor
MBA 560 Marketing ONLINE Jeff Karlberg
MBA 650 Operations Management ONLINE Mandolen Mull, Ph.D.

 

Fall: August 19 through December 4, 2020

Course Number Course Name Format Instructor
MBA 550 Leadership ONLINE Staff
MBA 685 Change Management ONLINE Mandolen Mull, Ph.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Puri School of Business
     5050 E. State Street
     Rockford, IL 61108
     815-226-4000
     Hours: Mon-Fri - 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

     Luis Romero
     Chair of PURI School of Business
     LRomero@rockford.edu
     815-226-4046

MBA Healthcare Administration

10/22/2018 3:37 pm

MBA Healthcare Administration

Ready to take your career to the next level?

The Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Administration is a 12-course program that can be completed in just two years.

Contact Us: (815) 226-4040

Request Information

Healthcare Administration MBA Program

OSF Healthcare Logo

Built upon Rock Solid foundation of graduate studies, which include Business Law, Finance, Management, Marketing, Business Research, and Accounting, your program will also include three current healthcare related courses:

  • Healthcare Finance & Reimbursement
  • Organizational Behavior and Leadership
  • U.S. Healthcare Strategy

These three courses, specifically recommended by the senior staff at OSF HealthCare, will provide you with an outstanding Graduate degree in Business.

The Rockford University MBA program consists of eight-week courses which meet in the evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. Taught in a ‘blended’ format, each course will provide you with a focused ‘face-to-face’ classroom experience, coupled with the flexibility of an online component which you can complete at your convenience during the week.

f

Format

Flexible, evening format for working adults. Our students work alongside peers from a variety of professional industries and backgrounds.

Z

Pricing

Competitively priced with financial aid opportunities.

Timing

You can complete your degree within as little as 24 months (based upon transferable credits)

Location

Conveniently located on the campus of Rockford University and housed in the Puri School of Business with state-of-the-art facilities, including the Bloomberg Business Lab.

Added Benefits

You’ll get access to the Rockford University community—computer labs, sporting events, performing arts, fitness center, library and all. In addition, dinner is included with your tuition!

Earn Your Degree

05/11/2018 1:39 pm

Rock Solid MBA.

Ready to take your career to the next level?

Housed in the Puri School of Business, our Master of Business Administration (MBA) program offers small classes and a professional, experienced, and dedicated faculty, providing our MBA graduate students with a quality learning experience.

At Rockford University, we focus on helping you become well and truly educated for life. You’re not just getting a degree; you’re preparing for the careers of today and tomorrow!

Contact Us: (815) 226-4040

Request MBA Information

Our Program Features

f

Format

Flexible, evening format for working adults. Our students work alongside peers from a variety of professional industries and backgrounds.

Z

Pricing

Competitively priced with grant opportunities available.

Timing

Complete your master’s degree in as little as 24 months (based upon transferable credits).

Location

Conveniently located on the campus of Rockford University and housed in the Puri School of Business with state-of-the-art facilities, including the Bloomberg Business Lab.

Added Benefits

You’ll get access to the Rockford University community—computer labs, sporting events, performing arts, fitness center, library and all. In addition, dinner is included with your tuition!

Rockford University’s MBA program is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).

Rockford University is pleased to introduce the new Bloomberg Business Lab and invites the public to a special open house on February 27, 2018 from 4:30 – 6 p.m. Complete with state-of-the-art Bloomberg Professional services terminals, the Bloomberg Business Lab, part of the Puri School of Business, is the only one of its kind in the Rockford region. Providing trusted real-time and historical data as well as market-moving news and analytics, the Bloomberg Business Lab will allow our students to develop leading skills for careers in finance, economics, accounting and other business fields. For more about the new Bloomberg Professional services at Rockford University, read the full press release here.

Bloomberg Business Lab open house postcardDuring this open house, professor and students will be in the lab to demonstrate how this powerful global technology is being used in the classroom. In addition, the Puri School of Business features newly renovated spaces, and guests are invited to tour the entire facility. 

When: Tuesday, February 27, 2018, 4:30 – 6 p.m., (Welcome and remarks at 5:15)

Where: Puri School of Business on the campus of Rockford University. Building is located just east of the 5050 East State Street entrance.

Please register to attend by Feb. 23.
Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bloomberg-business-lab-open-house-tickets-42986789645 to RSVP.

Bloomberg Business Lab fact sheet

 

Frequently Asked Questions

10/27/2016 12:12 pm

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

I’m not sure an MBA is right for me. How can I find out?

The MBA program at Rockford University is the only program in the area to offer students the option of taking up to four graduate classes and ALL prerequisite courses before formally enrolling in the program. Take a class and see if you like it! Note: To be eligible for financial aid you must be admitted.

Is earning an MBA at Rockford University more expensive than other institutions?

The cost is surprisingly cost competitive with other MBA programs, both locally and nationally. Public and not-for-profit employees serving the Rock River Valley receive a significant discount on tuition because most not-for-profits are unable to offer the same advantage of tuition reimbursement. Part-time student grants are available for students who are paying tuition out of their own pocket. In addition, Rockford University offers deferred payment for students whose employers are reimbursing them for classes.

How can an MBA from Rockford University help me in my career?

The benefits of earning an MBA are numerous. Rockford University MBA graduates often earn promotions and pay raises faster than if they hadn’t.

I wasn’t a business major in college. Do I need to take any classes before enrolling?

There are 3 prerequisite courses that may need to be taken if they were not needed for your bachelor’s degree. If you need to take any of these courses, it is advised that you take them early in the program. Prerequisites needed are: accounting, finance, and economics. These courses can be taken at Rockford University within the MBA program, but do not count towards your 36 MBA credit hours and must be taken prior to graduating. You may take a proficiency exam if you feel you have gained the knowledge of a particular prerequisite. The cost is $50 per exam. Contact the Office of Adult & Graduate Admission at 815-226-4040 for a transcript evaluation and for information on the proficiency exam.

I have a busy schedule. How often do MBA classes meet?

The MBA program is designed for the working adult. Classes are set up around normal daytime business hours. Classes are offered evenings once a week, online, and Saturday mornings.

Can I just take a few courses that interest me and not get the MBA degree?

Yes you can. You can take up to four courses to gain needed knowledge. Keep in mind you will not be eligible for financial aid without being admitted to the MBA program. Our Graduate Certificate Program may be right for you. It is comprised of five of our core MBA courses. Each class is designed to build and improve upon your basic business skills.

You can also seek a certificates in Healthcare Administration, Finance, and Project Management.

How do I know if my undergraduate work meets the prerequisites for the classes?

Have a copy of your undergraduate transcript sent to the Office of Admission for an evaluation. Generally speaking, if you had one undergraduate accounting course from an accredited institution, you have met that prerequisite. One undergraduate finance course usually satisfies the finance prerequisite. One undergraduate economics course usually satisfies the economics prerequisite.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The program can be completed as quickly as 1 year and as long as five years.

What are my next steps?

Apply to the program! It’s simple, start working on the admission requirements.

What are courses like?

Most courses are a combination of lecture, individual and group presentations. Group projects and papers which are applied to the course material and work world.

How soon can I start?

We have a rolling admission and courses are 8 weeks long. This allows new students to enter the MBA program at the start of each 8 week session. 

Is the Rockford University MBA program accredited?

Yes. Rockford University is accredited both by the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities (NCA) and the International Association of Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).

The Higher Learning Commission
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 North LaSalle St., Ste. 2400
Chicago IL 60602-2504
Phone: 800-621-7440
https://www.hlcommission.org/

International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
P.O. Box 25217
Overland Park, KS 66225
Phone: 913-631-3009
E-mail: iacbe@grapevine.net
www.iacbe.org

I’ve heard that some MBA programs are VERY theoretical and others are all application without much theory. Where does the Rockford University fit?

Rockford University joins the theoretical with the applied. Our philosophy is to provide practical education with the foundation of theory so that students know how to handle current situations, but also have the tools to think and reason out new situations they will encounter throughout their careers.

Office of Admission

Johnson Center
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4050
Admissions@rockford.edu

Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm
After hour appointments available by request.

REGISTER NOW

Register now and take up to four classes before officially applying to one of our graduate programs.

Apply to the Program

10/27/2016 12:00 pm

APPLY TO THE PROGRAM

Apply Now

To apply to Rockford University’s MBA program, please fill out and submit the online application.

Learn more about our MBA Admission Requirements.

International Student Application

If you are an international student, please fill out and submit the online application.

Learn more about our International Admission Requirements.

Spring 2021 Semester Registration

The next MBA program start is the spring semester. Registration opens November 1, 2020. Courses start January 19, 2021. Apply or contact us today to get started.

Attend a virtual information session.

Join us throughout the fall to learn more about the MBA program at Rockford University.

Office of Admission

Johnson Center
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4050
Admissions@rockford.edu

Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm
After hour appointments available by request.

Fees and Financial Aid

10/27/2016 11:53 am

FEES AND FINANCIAL AID

MBA Fee Schedule

MBA Application Fee for Admission $0
Tuition 2023-2024 $770 per credit hour
Tuition 2022-2023 $760 per credit hour
Non-Refundable Registration Fee $100 per semester
Graduation Fee $115
Transfer Credit Fee $20 per course
Official Transcript Request $5 per request
   

Additional fees not listed here may also apply and are subject to change without notice.

2023-2024 Full Year Cost of Attendance Budget

*(for Graduate Programs, the tuition is calculated per credit hour and will vary per student)

  Full time on campus Full time with relative Full time off campus      
Tuition & Fees* $36,800 $36,800 $36,800      
Housing and Food $10,940 $2,200 $7,200      
Books and supplies $1,200 $1,200 $1,200      
Transportation $1,600 $2,300 $2,300      
Loan processing fees $210 $210 $210      
Personal Expenses $4,230 $4,230 $4,230      
Total $54,980 $46,940 $51,940      
Direct Cost $47,740 $36,800 $36,800      
Budget for 1 semester $27,490 $23,470 $25,970      
Direct Cost for 1 semester $23,870 $18,400 $18,400      
             
      Part time Student Budget      
             
  3/4 time on campus 3/4 time with relative 3/4 time off campus 1/2 time on campus 1/2 time with relative 1/2 time off campus
Tuition & Fees* $21,712 $21,712 $21,712 $15,824 $15,824 $15,824
Housing and Food $10,940 $2,200 $7,200 $10,940 $2,200 $7,200
Books and Supplies $900 $900 $900 $600 $600 $600
Transportation $1,200 $1,725 $1,725 $800 $1,150 $1,150
Loan Processing Fees $210 $210 $210 $210 $210 $210
Personal Expenses $4,230 $4,230 $4,230 $4,230 $4,230 $4,230
Total Budget $39,192 $30,977 $35,977 $32,604 $24,214 $29,214
Direct Cost $32,652 $21,712 $21,712 $26,764 $15,824 $15,824
Budget for 1 semester $19,596 $15,489 $17,989 $16,302 $12,107 $14,607
Direct Cost for 1 semester $16,326 $10,856 $10,856 $13,382 $7,912 $7,912

 

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available to those who apply and qualify. Learn more >>

MBA Part-Time Student Grant provides a $150 per credit hour discount, up to $900 per semester, to part-time degree-seeking or certification-seeking students in good academic standing, subject to these restrictions:

  • Application forms required each semester are due within 10 days after the semester begins.
  • Students who receive tuition reimbursement from outside sources are not eligible.
  • Students may not use this grant in conjunction with other scholarships or aid plans.
  • Students must be enrolled in 6 hours or less to qualify.
  • MBA Part-Time Grant Voucher

MBA Not-for-profit (NFP) Grant provides a $250 per credit hour discount, up to $1500 per semester, to MBA students who are employees of public and not-for-profit organizations. The discount is available only to those currently receiving less than 50% of the cost of tuition and applies to a maximum of two courses per semester.

Employee Reimbursement /Tuition Deferment Program
Rockford University will defer your tuition payment until after you have completed the semester to allow time for your employer to reimburse you. The program is limited to reimbursable tuition costs only; registration fees and textbook costs are not eligible for deferment, even though you may receive reimbursement for these costs. Learn more about our Employer Reimbursement/Tuition Deferment Program >>

Apply Today!

Applications are open for the upcoming semester! Apply or contact us today to get started.

Applications are open for the upcoming semester!

Office of Admission

Johnson Center
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4050
Admissions@rockford.edu

Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm
After hour appointments available by request.