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WASHINGTON, D.C. – America’s Community Bankers and Fairfield University

announced today that they have developed an executive master’s degree in business administration program that offers a cost-effective way for community bankers to earn an MBA while continuing to work full-time. Applications are now being accepted for classes that will begin in July.

The ACB/Fairfield University Executive MBA program is unique in that it integrates the industry-specific content of ACB’s National School of Banking program with the business curriculum of Fairfield University’s Executive MBA program. It is an accelerated program for experienced community bank managers that combines summer classes at Fairfield University with distance learning and research projects over a three-year period. Students who successfully complete the 42-credit program will receive a master’s degree in business administration from Fairfield University.

"No other national banking group has joined forces with a prestigious university to offer community bankers an executive MBA integrated with its banking school," said Gloria Pritchard-Becker, manager of ACB’s education department. "Executive education is more important than ever and this program will help community banks attract and retain talented professionals."

The first half of the ACB/Fairfield University Executive MBA program consists of ACB’s National School of Banking, a 24-month program taken over three summer sessions on campus, each nine days in length, augmented by ongoing distance learning coursework. The NSB curriculum focuses on community bank management and includes courses in economics, marketing, finance, management and strategic planning. Graduates receive a diploma awarded in cooperation

with Fairfield University. National School graduates receive advanced standing in Fairfield’s MBA program. In addition, the American Council for Education has recommended the NSB curriculum for 21 graduate or upper-level undergraduate credits at other schools.

In the second part of the ACB/Fairfield executive MBA program, students attend two summer sessions of nine days each at the university and participate in distance learning classes and research projects. Courses cover management of information, technology and innovation; business change and responsible business practices; negotiations and legal dispute resolution; and global decisionmaking.

The ACB/Fairfield executive MBA program is open to ACB members and nonmembers. Applicants for ACB’s National School of Banking should be experienced managers in the financial services industry. Admission to Fairfield’s Executive MBA program is initially limited to NSB graduates, including past graduates. Both programs begin in July; applications are now being accepted.

America’s Community Bankers founded its first graduate-level executive banking program 40 years ago at Brown University. In 1980, the program was moved to Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn. Founded in 1942, Fairfield University established a department of business in 1947 and created its School of Business in 1978. Fairfield’s business programs are fully accredited by the International Association for Management Education, the premier accrediting organization for business schools.

For more information or to enroll, please call Gloria Pritchard-Becker at (202) 857-3193.