At Stetson University, MBA program innovation begins with a simple premise: Technology matters, but people matter more. "With AI, it's important to remember the human element," says Randall Croom, associate professor of management. That belief has driven an expansion of human-centered offerings across Stetson's business programs.
In recent years, the university elevated human resources from an undergraduate minor to a major, then launched a new HR concentration for MBA students in 2025. "That's one way we're responding to the way things are now," Croom says, noting plans to introduce a standalone Master of Science in human resources that will combine core HR coursework with organizational and leadership studies.
Agility is another defining feature of the Stetson MBA. When students asked for new coursework in equity and inclusion and crisis management, the program responded quickly. "One thing about Stetson is, we're pretty agile," Croom notes. A unique mechanism allows the school to pilot new courses without extended approval timelines.
Experiential learning is central. MBA students participate in global study experiences, including on recent trips to Asia and Greece, designed to immerse them in culture and context. Closer to home, students engage in high-impact, real-world decision-making through investment and research initiatives, incluing opportunities to observe boards, evaluate funding decisions, and help manage a multimillion-dollar investment portfolio — one of the oldest student-managed programs of its kind in the nation.