NMC prepares to market business degree program

The Northern Marianas College is readying for a campaign of traditional advertising, social media, and special events as the first semester of its new bachelor’s degree in business management arrives for interested students this fall semester.

The college was green-lighted to proceed with the program after it secured its accreditation under the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Under its previous junior accreditation, the college was only allowed to offer a bachelor’s degree in education.

Bobbi Merfalen, NMC’s dean of Academic Programs and Services, said she is excited for the college’s new program.

“The team at the Business Department has been working very hard to make the necessary preparations to ensure a high quality program that’s ready to engage students who are prepared to further their business and leadership training.”

The college says the business degree will balance the theoretical aspects of an academic bachelor’s degree with the practical approach of an applied business degree.

Knowledge, competence, and ability in business and management will be provided, along with core skills: critical thinking, problem solving, and management skills.

According to the college, students will understand what is takes to exemplify the professionalism and ethical standards in today’s professional practice.

The program is meant to attract those who want to develop the business and management skills they need to ascend the corporate ladder or to begin and manage their own businesses.
The program is also meant to attract students from off-island as international or foreign students seeking qualification in business management.

The college said students can expect the bachelor’s degree to take four years to complete, with the associate degree taking up to two years. However, the college emphasized that timelines differ from student to student as the hours committed to study, the amount of credits taken per semester, and the credits transferred into the program, and even one’s determination may vary.

The college noted that successful students who commit 20 hours or more per week to their studies often finish programs sooner.

The college said students can expect to become qualified for jobs in local, national, and international industries.