Master of Business Administration

Our MBA is offered as a traditional in-person, on-campus program, which may be taken on a full- or part-time basis. We also offer a fully online format.

Our badge of honor

What sets our MBA program apart from many others? Let's start with the our accreditation by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business.

It's a designation claimed by only 5% of the world's business schools. It assures that you're getting a top-quality education, and it tells prospective employers that you're ready to perform from day one.

Our MBA program comes with something else companies desire in employees today: a skill set resting on pillars of compassion and integrity. As a St. Bonaventure graduate, your decision-making will be influenced by the moral and ethical values that define our Franciscan tradition.

Choose an on-campus option that best suits you

Too busy to enroll full time? Take our part-time format and begin classes in any term.

Our MBA program is open to eligible students from all undergraduate majors. It is a 42 credit (14 course) program consisting of foundation courses (9 credits), business core courses (12 credits), graduate electives (14 credits) and a capstone course (3 credits).

Part time/full time
Full-time students are those registered for a minimum of 9 credits in any semester.

Class schedules
Classes are held once a week in the late afternoon (typically 2:30 to 5:10 p.m.) or early evening (6 to 8:40 p.m.). Students may take up to five courses per semester in a traditional semester-length format.

Start dates
Students typically enter the program at the beginning of the fall or spring semesters, although summer entrance is also possible for most students.

Completion dates
Most students complete degree requirements in approximately two years. Students with the appropriate academic background, however, may be able to complete degree requirements in about 15 months. Some students — those in good academic standing, with the appropriate academic background, and with flexible schedules — may be able to complete requirements in one year.

Students posing with a St. Bonaventure banner in China

Study international business in China

The opportunity of a lifetime awaits those who enroll in our China Studies program, a two-week summer course that takes you to Beijing and Shanghai in mainland China.

In addition to attending briefings, lectures, cultural visits and sightseeing excursions, you will complete the course MGT/MBA 646. International Business/China Studies, earning three credits toward completion of your MBA. Learn more at China Studies.

MBA Program admission requirements

Students are encouraged to apply to the MBA program at least six weeks before their desired start date. Applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:

a satisfactory score on the GMAT or GRE (see test waiver information below)
a résumé
official transcripts of all previous college work
a completed bachelor's degree by the time your MBA studies begin
for International applicants: a score for the TOEFL or IELTS (English proficiency tests). International applicants should Online & International Student Services for additional requirements.

Under certain circumstances, the GMAT/GRE requirement may be waived by the MBA program director. School of Business policy allows for a GMAT/GRE waiver when:

an applicant has an overall undergraduate GPA of a 3.30 or better.
an applicant shows a GPA of 3.00-3.29 and two or more years of significant leadership experience.
an applicant already possesses one of the following (earned) academic or professional credentials: Ph.D., Ed.D., JD, MD/DO, CPA.
an applicant has already taken and done well on another graduate school aptitude test (e.g. LSAT).

Additionally, if an applicant shows other compelling credentials, e.g. extensive and significant post-college work experience, the MBA director can review this for a possible GMAT/GRE waiver.

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

Based on the number of acceptable credits graduates of these schools bring with them to St. Bonaventure, students can shorten the time it takes to earn an MBA. In some cases, business students can earn an MBA in as little as one calendar year.

Students enrolled in the St. Bonaventure online MBA program may also take advantage of these articulation agreements.

For more information, email Mary Coombs, assistant dean of the School of Business and MBA director, or phone her at (716) 375-2145.

Accelerated programs for SBU students

Students who earn an undergraduate general business degree from St. Bonaventure can earn an MBA in an accelerated time frame, based on their academic record. In many cases, these students can earn their MBA in as little as one calendar year (summer, fall & spring).

We also offer a 4+1 BBA/MBA in accounting program, enabling students to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and an MBA in five years. Learn more on our accounting website.

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.

SBU announces faculty promotions and tenure appointments

Apr 18, 2024 | Faculty promotions and tenure appointments at St. Bonaventure University have been announced by Dr. David Hilmey, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.

King and Case presented ASBBS Outstanding Service Award

Apr 11, 2024 | Darwin L. King, professor of accounting, and Dr. Carl J. Case, professor of business information systems, were honored with the prestigious Outstanding Service Award from the American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences at the Los Angeles Conference on March 8.

Jahed co-authors article in the Journal of Cleaner Production

Apr 11, 2024 | Dr. Mohammed A. Jahed, associate professor of management sciences, co-authored an article titled "Green strategic leadership capability: Construct development and measurement validation" that was published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, an ABDC A-ranked journal.

Mary A. Coombs

Assistant Dean, School of Business

MBA Program Director

(716) 375-2145

Send an email