Study Method and Usefull Info

The methodology we use is based on the “open learning” system that harmoniously combines:

• Individual independent study, including the idea of participant responsibility;
• Tutor assistance – guide and support throughout the hole duration of the study, with accents on mentoring and coaching elements;
• Interactivity through exchange of opinions and experience with the other colleagues, both in face to face meetings – tutorials, Day School sessions and Residential Schools, and in the virtual space destined to shared activities and discussion forums and in which the students can find numerous resources that complete the curse materials.

The Open University Business School Programs target three learning directions, each with a well defined role that are extremely important for the development process of the students’ managerial qualities:

• Principles, theories, fundamental managerial tools;
• Case studies and notable examples from the Romanian and international business fields;
• Applicative exercises through which the students transpose in their own activity the learned cases.

The participation to the program represents an experimental journey that places the student in the center of the learning process with his own practical experience; the student has the tutor as a guide and leader, and the other students for opinion, information and experience exchange.

The learning process is seen as a journey, the studied matters representing the interesting places seen on the way, places that must be explored. Together with notorious case studies from the business culture, case studies brought by the trainees are am important part of the working process. Their real problems and their solution, by using specific management concepts, tools and models, is part of the way to better understand problem solving. The students become part of the program, and their contribution increases, together with their capability of understanding and applying theoretical concepts. The more the students will understand management ideas, together with their context and complexity, the more they will include, as part of the management solution, ethics and economical growth sustainability and social responsibilities.

The tutors are experienced practitioners in their teaching field. They can share with the students real events from their professional life; they are all CODECS certified, and 60% of them are CNFPA certified.

The evaluation system is based on solving real management issues and it doesn’t test memory, but independent thinking, the ability to analyze and the way in which the participants formed their integrated perspective on management – the big picture – and their flexibility and creativity. Innovative thinking is stimulated, and the students develop communication, negotiation and leadership abilities.

Program structure

Due to the "Open Learning" system, the trainees are not required to stop their professional activity in order to participate to the MBA program; they will be able to study during their free time. The system combines individual study with tutor assistance and team work. The time allocated for individual studying varies according to the module, from 6 to 15 hours per week.

The trainees will receive a multimedia course package, which contains the printed volumes, CDs, audio and video cassettes. The program is highly interactive.

Based on the training materials and in close connection with their professional activity, the trainees will elaborate a series of papers, graded form 0 to 100 (the minimum average required to access the final exam is 40 points).

The tutorials, the Day School sessions and the Residential Schools are organized during the week-ends and have the purpose of allow team-work on case studies, from the Romanian and international business fields, and share of opinions and experience amongst the participants.

Offered support

Each student is assigned to a tutor, whom they will meet for Tutorial, Day School and Residential School activities. The students will be able to communicate with the tutor via phone, e-mail or program web-sites. The tutor will read, grade and comment the evaluation papers and projects created by the students.

The role of the tutor is to offer support to the students throughout the learning process, to help them understand better the course material, to offer advice and recommendation and to stimulate them.

Useful information

The language of the course
The course materials for the Professional Management Certificate Program and the Professional Management Diploma are available in Romanian.

The “Management: perspectives and practice” (B716) course, which is part of the first stage in the MBA program, and the courses from the second MBA stage are in English.

In order to subscribe, the students must prove their English knowledge, either through passing the International English Testing System test (IELTS), organized by the British Council, (minimum points accepted: 6), either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), organized by the Fulbright Commission (minimum points accepted: 237 computer based or 93 internet based).

Admittance conditions

Professional Management Certificate program:
This program is, first of all, a management development program that addresses all those that want to make a difference in the organization they work in, and to bring added value to its performance.

The program is opened to both managers (regardless of their training level) and non-managers, and a university degree is not mandatory.

There are no formal admission conditions – the trainees must fill in the admittance documentation.

The MBA program
The MBA program has two stages. The access at the first stage of the MBA program can be done either through the Professional Management Diploma (BZT700), either through the "Management: perspectives and practice" course (B716), and the access at the second stage can be done only after graduating the first stage.

The first stage of the MBA program

Professional Management Diploma (BZT700):

Access conditions:

• having finished the Management Professional Certificate Program

or

• if the following conditions are simultaneously :
• having finished an economic university
• minimum 3 years of managerial experience
• minimum age: 25 years
• having participate in the Day School – “Management Reality” induction activity

“Management: perspectives and practice" Course (B716)

Access conditions

• university studies
• minimum age: 25 years
• experience: minimum 3 years in a leading position
• obtaining the required points in the English test
• 2 references from people with important managerial or academic positions

The second stage of the MBA program

Access conditions

• graduating the Professional Management Diploma program (BZT700) or the "Management: perspectives and practice" course (B716)
•  English IELTS certificate (minimum accepted points: 6 points) or TOEFL certificate (minimum accepted computer based points: 237 or internet based points: 93)

The certifications and diplomas are appreciated and recognized internationally.

The quality of the services offered by OUBS is appreciated throughout the world. The courses gain additional value due to the knowledge and practical aptitudes it develops.

The international recognition of the Professional Management Certificate and the Open University Business School MBA program are sustained by their validation from all three managerial education accreditation institutions (at international level): Association of Masters of Business Administration; European Foundation for Management Development  and the American association The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business - AACSB.