The Madras School of Social Work (MSSW), Chennai has now launched an international MBA program which waives off the work experience clause, beginning this academic year.

The programme is being offered through its international School of Management Studies (ISMS). The MSSW affiliated to the University of Madras, is recognised as a pioneer in social education in India. It is a member of the Association of Schools of Social Work in India and the Asian Pacific Association of Social Work Education and is also an affiliate of International Association of Schools of Social Work.

Study in the US

It is a US recognised programme. And the very attractive facet of this MBA programme is that the student gets to take up this programme in two countries – India and the US, providing of course that some criteria are met with. The rationale behind this twinning MBA programme split between two countries is to give students an international educational experience. This would give students an edge to excel in the global market place, apart from developing and sharpening their managerial abilities. But the student is also advised to consult industry experts on the market value of an MBA degree without work experience.

Eligibility and domains

Aspirants need to have completed 15 years of academics, putting together their school and college education. The applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, with a minimum of 50% of marks in any discipline or a professional qualification recognised as an equivalent of a bachelor's degree. Students who have completed their first year of the MBA programme here have the option of doing their second year studies at the Missouri State University (MSU), Springfield, US. MSU is accredited to the American Collegiate Schools of Business. However, a word of caution about this US study opportunity, as students will get to complete there MBA in MSU only if the candidate gets the requisite GMAT and TOEFL scores and of course, the visa. Students need to aggregate a GMAT composite score of at least 400 and 20th percentile or higher in verbal and analytical writing sections. The TOEFL computer based score should be 80 or above, and student should have successfully completed all the subjects during the one year at ISMS.

Earn while you learn

This techno MBA offers specialisation in a variety of domains like management, computer information systems, finance, marketing, logistics, international business, and HR. ISMS students may also get a graduate assistantship. Enterprising students will be allowed to exercise the option of part time jobs, after getting approval form the university administration. There are also possibilities for on-campus employment.

The director of the International Business Program, MSU, will be in Chennai on April 5. Interested students may avail counselling from him regarding this programme then. For further details, contact Director, ISMS, 32, Casa Major Road, Egmore, Chennai- 600 008. Tel. No.: 044 28194178. E-mail: isms_chennai@vsnl.net