BLUFFTON, Ohio - Bluffton University has added a third site for students in its MBA program to take classes: Northwest State Community College near Archbold, Ohio.

Students in the university's master's of business administration program can now attend classes at the university in Bluffton, about 60 miles south at Edison Community College in Piqua, Ohio, or about 60 miles north at the location near Archbold.

"We are excited to offer individuals in northwest Ohio a convenient location for them to further their education through Bluffton University's highly respected program," said George Lehman, director of graduate programs in business.

The partnership, which will allow students to begin taking the classes near Archbold in August, was announced yesterday at Northwest State.

Bluffton's MBA program was created in 2004.

The 20-student classes meet one night a week for four hours and students complete the degree in two years.

The program, designed for midcareer professionals in the business world, stresses interactive and experience-based learning more than the traditional lecture format.

And also new this year, Bluffton is giving MBA students the option of a cross-cultural experience: travel to China. Students will go to Beijing, Sichuan Province, and Shanghai to learn about business standards in global companies.

First Published April 30, 2008, 9:43 a.m.