Spotlight: New England College of Business, Master of Science in Business Ethics & Compliance (MBE)
Specialization:
Business Ethics & Compliance
"Getting a sense of all aspects of the business and how it is impacted by various aspects of risk is important for a compliance professional to understand--and the program does a great job of putting that all together." - Rik Cudmore, MBE Student
Like many workers who have considered going back to school, Rik Cudmore watched the developing recession with a lot of interest. "As the [financial] crisis hit I had been trading options in my retail account and becoming more interested in finance," he said. A shifting economic climate helped boost the benefits of education in his mind as he searched for ways to make his skills and interests more valuable in a changing market.
In the business world, Cudmore's story is not unique. Full-time workers across the country are coming to online education graduate degree programs like those found at New England College of Business in order to expand their career opportunities and explore new frontiers of knowledge.
New Business Ethics & Compliance (MBE) Program
As he watched the flawed regulatory practices in the financial sector rise to national attention, Cudmore decided to enroll in New England College of Business' Business Ethics & Compliance (MBE) program. "I became more interested in the regulatory aspect with all that was happening in the markets and found the compliance aspect a combination of what I was interested in," he says.
The Business Ethics & Compliance program at New England College of Business is the first of its kind in the nation. Students learn to develop and implement compliance policies and procedures, evaluate and mitigate risk, work with state and federal regulators, and foster a culture of ethics and social responsibility in the workplace.
The program's faculty draws from years of real-world experience, notes Carol Anderson, Vice President for Academic Affairs at NECB. "All MBE faculty are experienced compliance professionals with backgrounds in banking, finance, education, law, forensic accounting and auditing," she notes.
Coursework with Real-World Applications at NECB
The MBE program at New England College of Business pulls different areas of compliance together, targeting elements like risk management to give students a fuller sense of how compliance works with business. "Getting a sense of all aspects of the business and how it is impacted by various aspects of risk is important for a compliance professional to understand and the program does a great job of putting that all together," says Cudmore.
new England College of Business (Video)
That real-world application is essential to working students looking for practical training they can apply to their future careers. Faculty members at NECB understand that desire, and many are themselves long-time compliance professionals within their own business organizations. Additionally, faculty are credentialed at the master's and doctoral level with advanced degrees in education, law, business ethics and compliance, business, and finance. Students trust their education to a school that truly understands their goals as a professional in the compliance field.
Online Education Offers Flexibility to MBE Students
The online course structure at New England College of Business allows students to complete coursework from anywhere in the world. Dr. Anderson describes an online model that values interaction and group contribution. "After the first course or two, new students tend to develop a strong bond with other professionals in the learning community," she says. This collaborative environment goes against the popular misconception that online classes are a lonesome process.
From a student's perspective, Cudmore found more value in the online model than in traditional classrooms he has experienced. "The interaction between students and instructors has been better than what I've had in a lot of in-class courses," he says. "There is more of a discussion and open forum that permits you to state your point and support it and get feedback."
Earning a master's degree in Business Ethics & Compliance online through NECB allows for an unprecedented level of flexibility. The learning model is favored by full-time workers, professionals who travel with work, and those with family commitments. "The beauty is that students can determine when to jump online," Dr. Anderson says. "Some folks work best at 5:00 am before going to work and others like to get online after the kids are in bed."
Earn Your Degree in a Supportive Online Environment
As Vice President for Academic Affairs, a former Director of Compliance, and an instructor in the New England College of Business MBE program, Dr. Anderson typically speaks with every MBE candidate. "Even though it is an online program, they have the full support of the college behind them," she says. "Students can pick up the phone and call me or their instructor any time they want if they have a question or a concern."
That attitude of support is another element that sets New England College of Business apart from other online degree programs. In reaching out to students, faculty and staff prove their personal interest in the success of each individual.
MBE Graduates Work to Control Their Future Careers
Where companies don't have formal compliance positions, graduates of the MBE program often get a chance to make themselves particularly valuable by carving out a new niche. Dr. Anderson explains: "For example, one MBE student who works for a small not-for-profit organization has used the MBE as a vehicle to collaborate with management to develop a compliance program within his company," she says.
Graduates of New England College of Business may use their newfound knowledge to transition into leadership roles. As Dr. Anderson recalls, "Another MBE graduate took the compliance program she developed in the course 'Corporate Compliance: Role and Responsibilities' and modified it to meet the needs of a corporate-wide fraud-prevention program. Her plan was adopted by the Board of Trustees."
Though no degree program can guarantee a particular career or salary, students of the MBE program at New England College of Business find a real value in their education. Graduates pair their MBE training with existing knowledge and experience, enjoying the benefits of a well-rounded education.
