Deakin MBAs receive five star stamp of approval

Deakin University's Master of Business Administration (International) has joined the Deakin MBA in receiving the coveted five-star rating by the Graduate Management Association of Australia (GMAA).

The Graduate Management Association of Australia (GMAA) assesses every MBA offered in the country for standard and value. In the recently released 2009 ratings, Deakin's MBA (International) received an extra star giving it a five star rating while Deakin's MBA – a five star winner last year – maintained its rating.

The result puts Deakin's executive education programs in the company of the prestigious Melbourne Business School, Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Adelaide and Griffith Universities.

Deakin University's Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, Professor Gael McDonald, said the faculty was delighted with the recognition.

"We aim to ensure our MBA is contemporary, flexible and meets the needs of industry and it is good to see that our graduates have found that this is the case," she said.

"We were especially pleased to receive five star ratings given to 'getting a job', starting salary, staff academic qualifications and share of the market. ''

Deakin's MBA Program Director (Acting), Dr Victoria Wise, said the Deakin Business School was very pleased with the five-star ratings for its MBA and MBA (International) programs.

"A number of factors have contributed significantly to the programs' success," she said.

"We have been continually monitoring the marketplace and responding to the needs of students and employer groups; as a result we have a very active program of student involvement in business. Students are able to undertake a business practicum or a business internship.

"Both of these units give students a valuable practical experience in the business world," she added. This is exactly what a large number of students said they would like to see incorporated into our MBA offerings."

Dr Wise said the GMAA is the nationally recognised association for graduates of MBA, DBA or other postgraduate business management qualifications. Its members include senior managers, finance specialists, business consultants and academics. Seen as a bridge between the business world and management education, the association provides valuable networking opportunities for members in the advancement of their career.

"The placement of the Deakin MBA and MBA (International) programs in the five stars category is recognition of the superiority and quality of these programs," Dr Wise said. "Deakin University has always been a leader in distance education and achievement of a five star rating means that our entire program continues to be viewed as one of the top MBA offerings in Australia."