Southern Oregon University is restoring its master's in business administration program, charting a different course from the discontinued version abandoned a decade ago.

The hybrid program aimed at working professionals will be offered in Medford on Saturdays and takes seven quarters, or 21 months, to complete.

"This is definitely a trend," says Dave Harris, Dean of the School of Business, who instituted a similar program while he was at the University of Central Oklahoma's College of Business Administration. "It's a model designed for maximum convenience for students offering both in-class and online components."

Asante Health System, one of several employers to encourage the resumption of graduate studies in the field, will provide class space at the Smullin Education Center on Rogue Valley Medical Center campus.

Eventually, classes will move to the Medford Higher Education Center under construction in downtown Medford.

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Southern Oregon introduced a master of science in business administration degree in 1977 then upgraded to an MBA in 1990. But in the late 1990s, the university jettisoned its MBA program, replacing it with a master in management program in 1999. At the time, staff member Timothy Dolan said the MBA was too specialized.

But times and trends have changed again.

A recent study by the U.S. Economic Development Administration office in Seattle concluded there was a need for qualified management people in the Southern Oregon and Northern California region, the area the university serves.

Harris, who became dean at the business school in August, seized the opportunity and gathered broad support in rapid fashion to pass through the various committee hoops to get program approval.

The new program is coming at the same time the university has announced $4 million in proposed cuts, including the elimination of German, geology and geography majors.

"This program will very much carry its own way and it's part of a comprehensive plan to build a sustainable university," Harris said. "It's very important that it be based in Medford when the new higher education center (shared by SOU and Rogue Community College) opens."

He anticipates about 70 percent of the students will continue in their corporate roles while pursuing their degree. Of the first seven applications received, Joan McBee, MBA program coordinator, said only one is currently a student at SOU.

The first quarter includes seven unit hours of study covering ethics, global leadership and critical analytical thinking and expression. The second quarter involves marketing management and strategies along with strategic operations management. The cohort continues through information systems and managerial accounting for decision making.

Later on, candidates can explore their interest areas as well as research projects in collaboration with local businesses.

McBee says Asante, Providence Medford Medical Center, Sabroso Co. and local banks have all inquired about the program and regionally the school has heard from Klamath Falls and Weed.

"It's been understood all along that this program has good revenue-generating possibilities," said SOU spokeswoman Barbara Porter. "You can't argue with the numbers we've seen for the program's potential and it is a really good fit for the region."

The initial cohort of MBA candidates will begin classes next fall and graduate in spring of 2009. Tuition will cost under $15,000. Deadline for applications for the initial cohort launch is March 1.

For details on the program, got to www.sou.edu/business/mba or contact Joan McBee at 552-8151 or 552-6493.

Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or at business@mailtribune.com