Midland Lutheran College Coordinator Applies Careful Consideration to the Development of its Online Business Degree Program

The coordinator of the online degree program in general business at Midland Lutheran College, James McCarthy, describes one of his main priorities: "I want to transfer the concern we have for students to our virtual programs and our virtual campus. Every student has a story, and every student is important."

To undergird this philosophy where each student is valued as an individual, Midland's general business program is designed to be flexible. After all, one curriculum package does not and cannot fit all students. "I'm a great believer in narrative," McCarthy says, "and I have to find out who you are and what your real desires are to fit this general business curriculum to your needs."

Midland's Business Department offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a concentration in general business.  Online business students will gain a strong foundation in a variety of business-related topics, including accounting, economics, management, marketing and business law, problem solving, effective communication and reacting responsibly to ethical and social situations encountered within the business profession.  With personal instruction and guidance from qualified faculty, such as McCarthy, Midland hopes each of its online students will find his or her class experiences challenging, practical and rewarding.
Fortunately, McCarthy's healthy amount of business experience will prove very useful as this established program transfers to its online format. And, if there were any doubts about MLC's focus on the individual, the steady stream of students coming in and out of McCarthy's office should provide evidence enough of his awareness of each student's value.  McCarthy admits that students visit him, "not because I'm a great person but because I listen."

McCarthy explains how the individual student shapes his or her own program of study. "If a student comes in and says he wants to become a financial analyst, I'll say, ‘Why do you want to become one?'" So often, McCarthy finds that young students typically give an answer that has little to do with their own interests, such as "Because my dad wants me to become one." McCarthy tries to steer the student onto a path more aligned with his or her interests. "Then I'll say, ‘Is that what YOU really want to do?' And the answer will be ‘No, I want to work with people.'"

At that point, McCarthy begins to tailor the program to the student. "We look at people-oriented jobs in business and the general business curriculum to almost customize their major."For the gregarious business major, courses in cultural diversity and written communication become part of the package.

Just as important are the internships McCarthy arranges. As a former business person in the record industry, McCarthy believes that practical exposure to business and the connections one makes through internships are vital to a successful career.

McCarthy himself started his career at age 19 promoting and booking concerts while attending Creighton University as an English major.  He then started a record company in Omaha, naming the company "Decameron" after the work written by the fourteenth-century Italian author Boccaccio. However, McCarthy shares, "I realized in my mid 20s that I couldn't make the connections in Omaha that I needed."

McCarthy headed to California where his master's degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska enabled him to get a job at Chrysalis Records, which produced records for Jethro Tull, Blondie, Pat Benatar, and Huey Lewis.  McCarthy eventually became the chief accountant at Chrysalis, a job that opened the door for him to become involved in marketing, promotion and various other related fields.  After three years, McCarthy began working independently, promoting and marketing independent music publishing. "I did a lot of foreign publishing deals for people," he remarks.

Eventually, McCarthy came to believe that the music industry would deteriorate. "I'm not by nature a visionary," he said, "but I realized that the digitalization of music was going to kill the music business." Additionally, McCarthy comments that the consolidation in the media "has made it so much harder to get an artist started, and when you do get them started, these corporate entities want to segment everything." Eventually, McCarthy anticipated that his rolodex would soon thin from 500 to 50 names, and he returned to Nebraska to care for his ailing father. Upon return, he found himself teaching.

McCarthy's experience in the business world has led to his commitment to finding suitable internships for students, both those in the traditional program and those in the online program. McCarthy, like all MLC business faculty, is always ready and willing to offer insight into the world of business based on his experience and assist in determining an appropriate internship for maximum professional and personal development. Setting up an internship site near the student and maintaining contact with the site is critical for each student.  

While McCarthy's transition from the business world to the education world may seem unconventional, he believes education is a natural fit for him as a graduate of a university with a Jesuit tradition. "I really feel I have an obligation to provide the same opportunities to those who follow me. I do it out of gratitude for the privileges I've been given."

McCarthy's dedication to his students is representative of Midland's overall mission of "inspiring people to learn and lead with purpose." The college continues to lift up education and serve its community, the society and the nation.  To be a part of this vision, check out Midland's online degree program in business administration today.