The MBA program at Saint Peter’s University develops the complex, interrelated skills that companies seek to remain competitive in today’s complex business world. The various specializations that represent the suite of MBA programs at Saint Peter’s University comprise a series of integrated courses and learning experiences which produces graduates who are technologically savvy, skilled in adapting to change, and focused on business innovation.

MBA program candidates leverage their prior educational experience and professional accomplishments to broaden their intellectual horizons, critical thinking and interpersonal skills. We offer small class sizes, fast-adaptation to workspace needs, industry expert instructors, the opportunity to work with AI applications hands-on, and a fully online, self-paced, shorter term (11 weeks). Some of the MBA concentrations are also STEM-designated:  Business Analytics, Cyber Security, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Strategic Management, Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning.

Students in the Saint Peter’s MBA program will explore various topics and questions, such as:

• Financial Management
  • How can we assess the financial health of an organization?
  • What investment opportunities provide the best returns with acceptable risk?
  • How do we optimize capital structure to minimize costs and maximize value?
• Marketing Management
  • How do we identify and understand our target market?
  • What strategies can we employ to differentiate our products in a competitive landscape?
  • How can we measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns?
• Operations Management
  • What processes can we implement to ensure efficient operations and reduce waste?
  • How do we manage inventory effectively while meeting customer demand?
  • What quality control measures should we adopt to maintain product standards?
• Strategic Management
  • What are the key external and internal factors that affect our competitive advantage?
  • How can we align our resources and capabilities with our strategic objectives
  • What metrics should we use to evaluate the success of our strategic initiatives?
• Organizational Behavior
  • How do individual differences affect team dynamics and performance?
  • What leadership styles are most effective in motivating employees?
  • How can we foster a positive organizational culture that supports innovation?
• Business Ethics
  • What ethical frameworks can we apply to make responsible business decisions
  • How should organizations balance profit-making with social responsibility?
  • What are the consequences of unethical behavior in business, and how can they be mitigated?
• Entrepreneurship
  • What criteria should we use to assess the viability of a new business idea?
  • How do we create a detailed business plan that attracts investors?
  • What strategies can we use to effectively scale our startup?
• Managerial Economics
  • How do market conditions affect pricing strategies and consumer demand?
  • What role do external economic factors play in business decision-making?
  • How can we use economic analysis to forecast future market trends?
• Nonprofit Management
  • How does a nonprofit plan and budget for longevity?
  • How does a nonprofit align its human and financial resources to best fulfill its mission?
  • What metrics are used to ensure the organization is fulfilling its mission and meeting the diverse needs of its stakeholders?
• Machine Learning
  • How can corporations optimize machine learning in their operating systems?
  • What are the best ways to integrate AI and machine learning into speech recognition, customer service, recommendation engines, robotic process automation, and fraud detection?
  • What ethical issues need to be considered as corporations integrate and expand the role of machine learning?
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Strategic Management
  • How do managers and leaders develop ethical AI policies in their organizations?
  • What are the best ways to use generative AI and advanced AI applications in different industrial contexts?
  • What is the future of AI, and how can managers and leaders proactively lead their teams in utilizing AI?

These questions encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning, helping students apply theoretical knowledge to real-world business challenges.

Why an MBA from Saint Peter’s University?

Studying for an MBA prepares students for their future careers by providing them with essential skills, real-world experience and a comprehensive understanding of business. It enhances their employability and equips them to navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic job market. As a result, MBA graduates tend to have a more informed, strategic, and optimistic view of employment opportunities, positioning themselves successfully in various industries and roles.

The versatility of an MBA allows graduates to enter various industries and roles, depending on their interests and specialization. The program equips them with transferable skills applicable to numerous career paths, enabling them to adapt to the dynamic business landscape and pursue fulfilling and successful careers.

A smaller MBA program near New York City offers several distinctive advantages and characteristics compared to larger programs. Here are some key differences:

• Personalized Attention: Smaller class sizes typically allow for more individualized attention from professors. Students can receive more direct feedback, engage more deeply in discussions, and build stronger relationships with faculty.
• Enhanced Participation: With fewer students in the classroom, each individual has more opportunities to participate in discussions, ask questions, and contribute to group work, leading to a more engaging learning experience.
• Focused Learning Environment: Smaller classes often create a more intimate and collaborative learning environment, where students feel encouraged to share ideas and take intellectual risks without the pressure of a larger classroom setting.
• Increased Faculty Interaction: Students in smaller programs often have more opportunities to interact with faculty outside of class, whether through office hours, mentorship, or informal discussions, which can enhance learning and career development. 
• Accessibility to Industry: Being located next to New York City, smaller programs can leverage the city’s vast network of industries and companies. This proximity can lead to unique opportunities for internships, networking events, guest lectures, and industry partnerships.
• Diverse Learning Experiences: Faculty in smaller programs may have diverse backgrounds and experiences, which can enrich the learning experience through varied perspectives and real-world insights.
• Opportunities for Leadership: In smaller settings, students may have more chances to take on leadership roles within group projects, student organizations, or class discussions, helping them develop essential leadership skills.

At a Glance

Accelerated BS/BSBA to MBA Program

You can earn your undergraduate degree in Business Administration and an MBA in five years through our Accelerated Program.

The Accelerated BS/BSBA to MBA program offer several advantages. The program:

• Accelerates the attainment of an advanced degree
• Facilitates seamless transition to a master’s degree
• Increases students’ marketability in the workforce
• Saves students time and money

For more details, see the program descriptions:
Accelerated BS to MBA Program
Accelerated BSBA to MBA Program

(See also) Accelerated BS/BSBA to MSA Program

Accelerated BS to MSA Program
Accelerated BSBA to MSA Program

Enterprise Design Thinking Refreshes MBA curriculum

The first year of infusing IBM certifications into the MBA curriculum has been very successful. Enterprise Design Thinking was a new course introduced into the MBA core and students have positive feedback on the course and the industry skillsets and earned digital badge. Enterprise Design Thinking is an organizational approach towards innovation, problem solving, teamwork and decision that leverages collaboration, organizational learning, and team knowledge and insights.

Design Thinking has been praised by Forbes, Harvard Business Review and MIT’s Sloan School as an important tool for innovation across industries. Currently, Joseph Gilkey Jr., Ph.D. and Gulhan Bizel, Ph.D., are the 2 faculty members certified by IBM to teach the course, which leads to an IBM certification and badge. Students taking the class this spring tackled problems, such as using a pod approach to build social engagement and community into fully online degree programs and designing mobile apps for maximizing communication and engagement among graduate students.

Enterprise Design Thinking Refreshes MBA Curriculum

Atiya Easterling, MBA Class of 2022

“The Enterprise Design Thinking course was such a valuable class offered in the graduate MBA curriculum. Since my employer currently uses enterprise design thinking methodology, it was relevant to my current job and I was able to apply the skills immediately to solve problems. This course challenged my way of thinking and the cohort learning model really helped me understand the importance of problem solving with others, which is more reflective of the what happens in professional decision making today. I had an opportunity to abandon independent thinking, resist the urge to solution before falling in love with the problem, and everything I learned will support my success of my future courses in the MBA program. A special thank you to Dr. Gulhan Bizel, an extraordinary instructor, who was always eloquent challenged us to think differently.”

Ryan Cinelli, MBA Class of 2021

“Enterprise Design Thinking exposed me to the process of decision making in a team, while allowing me to step away from my normal commanding leadership style. This course and IBM process worked in tandem to develop interpersonal skills while solving real world problems in our university.”

In addition to the addition of IBM Skills Academy certifications into the curriculum, our graduate programs have built stronger research capabilities, including the establishment of Research Graduate Assistantships for a select group of students. This has led to a number of peer-reviewed publications co-authored by faculty and students on topics ranging from social media analytics and online reputation to trends in retailing in a COVID-19 world. Research teams use data science tools such as data screen scraping, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to create novel methodologies and approaches to the research process.