“For the past 30-plus years, the Harbert College of Business has exploited technology
advancements to ensure the most effective and innovative methods of instruction and
student success."”
In these uncertain times, the Harbert College of Business at Auburn University is
working with prospective students to offer flexible enrollment options for Fall Semester
2020. The application deadline for Auburn Full-time and Online MBA programs has moved
to June 1 to provide more time to engage with our admissions team. Also, we will waive
the GMAT or GRE requirement for Fall 2020 applicants who meet established criteria.
Our team is available for appointments at mba@auburn.edu to help you through this process.
What follows is one in a series of recently published stories that speak to the 30-plus
year history of the Harbert College of Business in delivering online educational programming
that has been consistently ranked among the nation’s best.
It all started with VHS tapes.
That’s right. No streaming devices. No live classes on a smart phone. Distance learning
at the Harbert College of Business at Auburn University started with VHS tapes and a VCR.
When electronic distance learning started at Auburn University, there was no internet,
just stacks of VHS tapes which were labeled and mailed.
One tape for each class period for each week of class. That was a lot of tape. When
the class was complete, students mailed the tapes back so they could be used again.
VHS tapes later became CDs and CDs then became DVDs. Early internet didn’t have the compression algorithms or the bandwidth to carry even
standard definition video, but that would soon change and when it did, students flocked to the online space.
Today, our online masters students outnumber our on-campus students. Advances in technology
allow crisp audio, high-definition video and live student-teacher interaction – available
through any device the student chooses.
For the past 30 years, the Harbert College of Business has exploited technology advancements
to ensure the most effective and innovative methods of instruction and student success.
Today, the Harbert College of Business offers online MBA programs for an Executive MBA, a Physicians Executive MBA and a Master of Real Estate Development – all of which are highly ranked nationwide.
Recognizing that executive students learn from each other and value networking with
their peers, the Harbert College of Business was among the first in the country to
develop hybrid programs where students combine on-campus residencies and international
trips with distance courseware.
We’ve come a long way from VHS tapes, but we’ve never strayed from good teaching.
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When electronic distance learning started at Auburn University, there was no internet,
just stacks of VHS tapes which were labeled and mailed. 
For the past 30 years, the Harbert College of Business has exploited technology advancements
to ensure the most effective and innovative methods of instruction and student success.
