The MBA consists of five core courses, four graduate electives and one capstone for a total of 30 credits.

Required Courses
Business Core (5 courses): 15 credits
Graduate Electives (4 courses): 12 credits
Capstone Course (1 course): 3 credits
TOTAL: 30 credits (10 courses)

The minimum number of credits required for the MBA degree is 30. A detailed plan of study is developed for each student by the MBA program director based on the academic preparation of the student.


Business Core – 15 credits
MBA-680
STRATEGIC MARKETING OPERATIONS
MBA-681
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE
MBA-682
LEGAL ENVIRONMENT & ETHICS OF BUSINESS
MBA-683
ACCOUNTING FOR BUSINESS DECISIONS
MBA-684
VALUATION & FINANCIAL STRATEGY

Graduate Electives – 12 credits
The Graduate Electives (12 credits) allow students to pursue studies in specific areas of interest.  A broad selection of elective courses are offered besides courses listed in the Graduate Catalog from  MBA-611 through MBA-699 (excluding core courses and MBA-685), SAM-613 SAM-617 SAM-650 SAM-695 SAM-696; additional courses may be available as Special Topics courses (MBA-696 and MBA-698).

MBA-685 INTEGRATED BUSINESS STRATEGIES (Capstone) – 3 credits

Total Credits 30

If you have a bachelor’s degree in business:
Students with a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale are granted full admission and exempt from the MBA Fundamentals.

If you do not have a business degree:
Applicants without an undergraduate degree in business who otherwise meet or exceed the 3.0 GPA requirement will be admitted contingent upon satisfactory completion of the MBA Fundamentals modules and the comprehensive proficiency assessment.

Under limited circumstances, and with approval from the School of Business Dean or MBA Director, students may enroll in selected 600-level courses while completing the assessment requirements. Eligible courses will be determined and assigned by the MBA Director.

Provisional Admission Due to GPA:
Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 may apply for provisional admission to the MBA program. Provisional admission is subject to program approval.

GMAT & GRE Scores:
You may request to be waived from the MBA Fundamentals if you are required to take the MBA Fundamentals and you have a: GMAT score of a 530 or higher, or GRE combined score of 305 or higher, with a minimum Quantitative score of 150. 

Articulation agreements allow graduates of some colleges and universities to flow seamlessly into St. Bonaventure University' MBA program. We have such agreements with these schools:

• Hilbert College
• State University of New York at Fredonia
• University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
• Houghton College
• Villa Maria College
• Elmira College
• Alfred State College
  

Upon successful completion of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in the School of Business at St. Bonaventure University, graduates will:

• understand the core principles related to statistical methods that can be applied in a business environment;
• know how to associate varying statistical concepts based on common data functionalities;
• understand accounting as the language of business and know how to communicate about financial records and reports;
• understand how to use internal accounting information to make selected finance decisions;
• understand how supply and demand, and they interact to generate prices;
• understand the factors that influence firm behavior;
• describe the model of the financial system;
• identify opportunities to use finance theory;
• understand the rules of segmentation, targeting and positioning;
• understand the role of distributors, retailers, and other intermediaries in delivering products, services, and information to customers;
• understand personality characteristics, perceptual skills, and attributes that lead to effective leadership and motivation;
• understand competencies and organizational issues related to teamwork, diversity, communications, and change management;
• understand how to use basic financial statement analysis tools to assess firm financial performance and position;
• know how to make financial decisions using fundamental management accounting tools;
• use strategic management principles and concepts in discussions and planning sessions at your place of work and with your superiors;
• recognize course principles and concepts when reading the business and investment press, and evaluate the veracity of the printed content.

St. Bonaventure’s MBA is a 30-credit, 10-course program consisting of five core courses, four electives and one capstone. Students may complete the program in as little as one year, depending on course load, academic preparation, sequencing and availability.

Yes. St. Bonaventure’s MBA is AACSB-accredited, a distinction that reflects rigorous business education standards and program quality.

Artificial intelligence is integrated throughout the MBA. Students apply AI in discipline specific coursework and business challenges while strengthening analytical thinking, strategic decision-making, ethical reasoning and professional judgment.

Yes. Students may complete the MBA fully online in an asynchronous format, on campus in Olean or through a combination of online and on-campus coursework. Course and pathway availability may vary by format.

Students may complete the General MBA or pursue a concentration in Business Analytics, Finance or Marketing. Students with the appropriate undergraduate accounting background may also pursue the on-campus MBA–Professional Accountancy option.

A business degree is not required. Applicants without an undergraduate business degree who meet the 3.0 GPA requirement must satisfactorily complete MBA Fundamentals and its proficiency assessment. GMAT or GRE scores are not among the standard application materials, but qualifying scores may support a request for exemption from MBA Fundamentals.

MBA Fundamentals is a zero-credit, self-study preparatory requirement and does not count toward the 30-credit MBA degree. It covers Accounting, Finance and Quantitative Methods and concludes with a comprehensive proficiency assessment designed to prepare students for 600-level MBA coursework.

Applicants with a qualifying bachelor’s or graduate degree in business and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 are exempt. Applicants assigned MBA Fundamentals may also request an exemption with a GMAT score of 530 or higher, or a combined GRE score of 305 or higher with a Quantitative score of at least 150.

View full curriculum and requirements in our MBA program catalog.