The Great Recession isn't stopping Michigan State University from expanding its business classes, including the opening of a new Weekend MBA program in suburban Detroit.

Professors will travel to Troy on Saturdays to teach students in the 19-month master of business administration program. The entering class starts in August and graduates in March 2011.

Michigan State started the Weekend MBA program in 1995 at its East Lansing campus. The university says participants range from the mid-20s to late 50s and come from a "wide variety of industries and professions."

Program Executive Director Lucy Maillette says faculty members understand the challenging business climate and regularly update the curriculum to reflect the changing outlook.