Business schools strong despite economy

When most people think of higher education in northern Nevada, University of Nevada, Reno and possibly Truckee Meadows and Western Nevada community colleges come to mind.

But two other schools Morrison University and the University of Phoenix have become entrenched as viable educational resources for residents.

Both schools specialize in business administration and technology along with an assortment of other programs.

Morrison, nestled in downtown Reno at 140 Washington St., is a small private business college that offers programs in accounting, business management, medical and executive administration and computer science and medical and legal office assistant programs.

In addition, it now offers master's degrees in business administration.

Dr.

John Burruel, Morrison's vice president of academics, says the summer enrollment is 150.

Enrollment is usually at its lowest this time of year, and should reach at least 200 by December's end.

Enrollment ranges from 100 to 450 students throughout the year.

"In time of economic struggle people tend to go to school and learn new skills," Burruel said.

"We're starting to see a slow, steady growth."

The college has attained a stellar reputation nationally.

Octerameron Associates, a higher education publishing and consulting firm, recently ranked Morrison as one of the 201 best colleges and universities in the nation on the basis of tuition cost and quality of education.

Morrison's academic calendar is based on a quarter system in which class schedules are broken up into four 10- week sessions per academic year.

On average, it takes students oneand- half years to complete an associate's degree and two-and-a-half years for a bachelor's degree.

Completing a master's degree would take one additional year.

"That's one thing I really highlight," Burruel said.

"You'll be able to graduate two years before you would in a traditional school system."

Class size ranges from 10 to 15 students, allowing for more interaction between students and instructors.

The cost of tuition is a range of $6,900 per year.

"Comparatively we're nationally in one of the lowest percentiles in cost," he said.

"The cost is very competitive for a private school."

Since its inception in 1902 as the Nevada Business Institute, Morrison has undergone numerous changes in name and location.

Its title changed to "university" after the school added a master of business administration to its curriculum in 1999.

Morrison officials expect to move into a new facility capable of accommodating 400 students in South Meadows in the fall.

In addition, a new branch of the university will open in Salt Lake City.

Despite a small student body, Burruel said that a high graduation rate is more important than large enrollment numbers.

For instance, Morrison has a high retention rate of 80 to 85 percent.

More impressively, graduation rates at the school are 90 percent.

"Our retention rate is incredible," Burruel said.

The University of Phoenix's Reno campus, meanwhile, has a comparatively larger enrollment, according to Steve Soukup, vice president and director of the university's Nevada division.

Currently, the school enrolls 700 students and could easily climb to as many as 900 to 1,000 students in the next few years as Reno grows.

The private university, begun in Phoenix in 1976, has branches in 100 locations throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

The Reno campus branch, located on South Kietzke Lane, opened in 1998.

The University of Phoenix' mission is to provide opportunities solely for non-traditional students.

To attend, students are required to be at least 23 and have work experience.

Soukop said the average age of the student body is 35.

"We specifically gear ourselves to the adult population," Soukop said.

The main reason the university caters only to an older student body is because the intensive coursework is more conducive to mature individuals.

Soukop stated that classes can be very demanding, thus it is imperative that students are dedicated to completing what is expected of them.

Even though they need to take only one course at a time, students are encouraged to take courses year-round with minimal breaks in order to accelerate the degree process.

At Phoenix, students can complete a degree within three years.

"It takes a real commitment on the part of the student to pull it off," Soukup said.

Classes are usually small, averaging 14 students.

To help accommodate students' work schedule classes are offered only in the evening.

The University of Phoenix provides a variety of academic programs including business administration as well as masters degrees in business and education.

Instructors are also trained professionals.

Tuition at the university is anywhere from $6,500 to $7,500 per year.

Whether it be maintaining a small enrollment base like Morrison or catering to adults like Phoenix, both representatives of each school feel no pressure to compete with UNR or area community colleges.

"We're feeling pretty solid in northern Nevada," Soukop said of the University of Phoenix.

"As the population of Reno continues to grow we'll continue to grow."