Newswise — The Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University’s online MBA (iMBA) program has been ranked #9 in the Financial Times’ 2014 ranking of all online MBA programs worldwide. This year marks the first time Financial Times has ranked online MBA programs. The full rankings, released March 10, are published at http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/rankings.

The iMBA is Whitman's premier distance-learning, part-time program for professionals and executives. Launched in 1977, the program has grown to more than 200 current students and 900 alumni worldwide. Students attend five-day residencies on the SU campus each semester and complete their coursework online.

Last August, OnlineMBA.com ranked Whitman’s iMBA program #14 in their list of top online MBA programs. Earlier in the year, the iMBA program was ranked #13 by Poets & Quants. In January 2013, U.S. News & World Report ranked Whitman’s iMBA program #39 out of more than 230 regionally accredited programs nationwide.

According to the Financial Times, the methodology for calculating the online MBA rankings is similar to the methodology for their full-time MBA rankings, in which they calculate z-scores for each criterion and then apply weighted percentages. For instance, three criteria and their weighted percentages are: average alumnus salary three years after graduation (20 percent), average difference in alumnus salary before the MBA to now (20 percent), and number of research articles published by faculty in selected top journals (10 percent). Other criteria include: value for the money, alumni satisfaction, and diversity of student body.

The Whitman iMBA's hybrid model allows students to develop collaborative relationships with faculty and peers while providing the flexibility to complete their MBA as they continue their career progression. Whitman's iMBA offers electives in accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing management, supply chain management, and organizational leadership. The program also provides international residencies as a unique, differentiating learning component.

Since 1999, Whitman iMBA students have studied in global business and cultural centers around the world, in cities including Istanbul, Seoul and Shanghai. Admission for the iMBA is selective; applicants need a bachelor's degree and at least one year of full-time professional experience. The GMAT is not required for applicants with more than five years of experience. Deadlines for fall, spring, and summer admission are July 1, November 1, and March 1, respectively. For more information, contact Whitman's Graduate Programs office at (315) 443-4327 or visit http://whitman.syr.edu/iMBA.