New INTA and MGT graduate programs now available

Tech is introducing two new graduate degrees at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and the College of Management.

The Board of Reagents has approved a Master of Business Administration in Management Technology (MBA-MOT) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in International Affairs, Science and Technology.

"[The] Ph.D. program will offer a focused specialized look at issues which are at the intersection of science, technology and international affairs," said William Long, chair of the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs.

"We will be looking, in particular, at certain issues in international security with an extensive science and technological component to them: things like nuclear proliferation, infrastructure protection, information security and cybersecurity," Long said.

Other issues include chemical and biological nanotechnologies and their relationship to national security. Furthermore, Long said that the program would also examine the role of technology in economic modernization and innovation.

"This degree program will be the capstone of the school's educational opportunities that are designed to train scholars and researchers to look at those questions at the intersection of science, technology and international affairs," Long said.

This program will enroll about five students for its first class of students in the fall of 2008, and is looking to grow into a steady-state doctoral program of about twenty-five students.

He added that the program was looking for both traditional students - INTA undergraduates - as well as engineering and scientific undergraduates.

"A student interested in the policy questions associated with their science and technological work would be an excellent candidate for us," Long said.

This alliance of science and international affairs is not foreign to the School of International Affairs, according to Long, who cites the department's Bachelor of Science degree as an example of this unique partnership.

"Students do lab science, computing, calculus and quantitative methodology and come with a unique set of skills for an International Affairs student that reflects their background at [Tech]."

Applicants would be required to submit transcripts, three letters of recommendation and take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). According to Long, candidates would be principally assessed by their grades and their performance on the GRE.

While the INTA Ph.D. program will debut in the Fall of 2008, the Management Technology program would enroll its first class in May 2008.

The MBA-MOT is designed to serve working professionals, who have five or more years of industry experience, by offering classes that will align a traditional MBA curriculum with an analysis of current technology.

"[The program] is offered in an executive format that allows participants to continue working while earning their degree," said Steve Salbu, dean of the College of Management.

"The program has a distinctive focus on innovation, analysis of emerging technologies, entrepreneurship and technology venturing which sets it apart from the typical EMBA general management orientation," Salbu said.

The MBA-MOT is a revised version of the Master of Science in Management of Technology (MS-MOT) that has been amended with the input of outside corporations.

"In the early 90's a corporate advisory group identified development needs they had for their high potential technical staff members and worked with us to help define the MS-MOT executive degree program."

The group desired a program that emphasized skills in analyzing emerging technology, making technological forecasts, innovation and quick translation of technology into new products and services.

The program is currently accepting students for the May 2008 MBA-MOT executive class, and according to Salbu, is open to professionals in any field.

"[The degree] is open to all qualified participants whether they have backgrounds in engineering, sciences, IT or the liberal arts" Salbu said.

The admission criteria are similar to that of other top 25 business schools, according to Salbu.

Applicants would have to complete an online application, submit transcripts for all college work, have available two letters of recommendation from people familiar with their work in industry, complete a company sponsorship form, submit a current resume and complete an admissions interview.

"The admissions decision is based on the prospect's overall application portfolio and in some instances, they may be asked to complete the GMAT if they have not already done so," Salbu said.

The programs have generated considerable interest among potential candidates.

"A Ph.D. program seems like the right step for our school at this point, and will hopefully further cement our standing among the leading international affairs school," said second-year International Affairs major Clayton Skinner.

Kathryn Pratt, fourth-year INTA major and International Affairs Student Organization president, shared Skinner's views.

" I think the new Ph.D. program that is going to be offered by the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs is a great step for the Ivan Allen College and [Tech] as a whole" Pratt said. "It will lead to greater recognition for us as a school and program as it helps Georgia Tech achieve its goal of being a well-rounded Institute by having a much deeper International Affairs program."