New Professional MBA Offers Compelling Experiences and Flexibility

A rigorous curriculum and a flexible, convenient format that includes evening and online courses are the hallmarks of the new Professional MBA program that will be launched in January 2017 by the John F. Donahue Graduate School of Business.

Dr. Dean McFarlin

The enhanced and redesigned 36-credit hour curriculum, which was strategically designed with working professionals in mind, is experientially focused and can be completed in just two years on a part-time basis. Students also may opt to take a full-time course load to complete the program in 16 months.

The new program, which enables students to earn a top-ranked MBA at their own pace, is set apart from other like programs by six differentiators:

  • Action-Based experiential learning
  • Strong ethical and moral compass
  • Entrepreneurial mindset
  • Cultural intelligence
  • Sustainability—a core business principle
  • Strategic leadership development.

“Students pursue an MBA degree because they want to become better leaders, enhance their career prospects and learn how to tackle tough, real-world business problems—that’s a tall order, given the complexities and volatility inherent in today’s global business environment,” said Dr. Dean McFarlin, dean and professor of the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. “But our new Professional MBA delivers—we help students think entrepreneurially, identify strategic business opportunities, grasp the value of sustainability, and behave ethically as leaders in an increasingly diverse workforce.”

The Professional MBA program includes a new Executive Insights course that brings seasoned business leaders into the classroom weekly to discuss how they created plans that moved organizations forward. A closing hands-on capstone project helps students sharpen and demonstrate the strategic skills they’ve learned throughout the program with a real-world client.

“The new Professional MBA reflects the emerging skill-set necessary to be a successful business leader today and is designed to ensure that a Duquesne MBA remains a highly relevant credential,” said Dr. Karen Donovan, associate dean of graduate programs and executive education. “We’ve taken what we know works in graduate business education—an experientially-focused curriculum characterized by compelling real-world projects, leadership skill development activities and signature courses reflecting our learning themes—and built a program designed to move students to the next level both personally and professionally.”

GMAT/GRE waivers are offered for qualified candidates, and new students are eligible to receive a financial award that will save 25 percent on the Professional MBA program.

For more information on the Professional MBA program, call 412.396.6244 or email jewettj@duq.edu.