Duquesne University John F. Donahue Graduate School of Business

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School Says - General Information
The Donahue Graduate School of Business at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, prepares responsible leaders who are capable of transforming organizations, communities and the world. We challenge our students to reach their full potential, reflecting our university's century-long commitment to ethics and service, excellence and innovation. Among the elite five percent of graduate business schools accredited by AACSB-International, Duquesne was among the first 100 endorsers of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). The Donahue School ranks among the Global Top 20 on the Aspen Institute's Beyond Grey Pinstripes for integrating social and environmental stewardship and was cited among the top three graduate business schools for ethics by the Academy of Management Learning and Education.

Duquesne's Donahue School offers contemporary and managerially relevant graduate programs to meet the needs of full-time students and working professionals:

Full-time MBA Sustainability (daytime classes) - Duquesne's internationally recognized one-year MBA Sustainability integrates rigorous coursework in all business disciplines with global best practices in social, environmental and financial resource management. The program is anchored by active problem-solving engagements - a consulting project and a practicum - with corporate, government or not-for-profit clients. The accelerated, 45-credit curriculum features core sustainability courses, team teaching, cross-functional case studies, professional coaching, and international study trips. http://mba.sustainability.duq.edu

Traditional MBA - This MBA features convenient evening classes for busy professionals at Duquesne's downtown campus and a suburban learning center. The 57 credit curriculum offers a choice of eleven concentrations and the potential to waive some foundation courses for students with significant undergraduate credits in business subjects. Most evening students have full-time jobs, but some are awarded graduate assistantships and earn tuition remission for up to nine credits per term. www.duq.edu/business/grad

Full-time Master of Accountancy Program (MAcc) - This 30-credit program responds to emerging areas of critical importance to the accounting profession: forensic accounting, ethics, regulation and reporting. Prerequisite for admission is 24 credits in accounting. The program can be completed in one academic year by taking 15 credits in both the fall and spring semesters. Graduates are prepared for careers in public accounting, corporate accounting, internal auditing, forensic accounting, governmental and non-profit accounting. www.duq.edu/business/grad

MS-ISM - Recently redesigned, Duquesne's Master of Science in Information Systems Management is a 30 credit evening program. Courses are taken in sequence, and the degree can be completed within two years while taking courses on a part-time basis. The program features instruction in risk management, leading change, IT security and audit, and the latest technologies. It provides excellent preparation for the Certified Information Systems Analyst Exam and can be earned in conjunction with an MBA. www.duq.edu/business/grad

Joint Degree Programs - The Donahue School offers MBA degrees in conjunction with advanced degrees in corporate communication, environmental science and management, health-management systems, industrial pharmacy, liberal studies, law, nursing, and public policy. To pursue a joint or dual degree program, candidates must apply to and be accepted by both schools.

School Says - Student Body
The Donahue School student body of approximately 350 students is diverse. Duquesne actively recruits and enrolls students from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, bringing an international dimension to every classroom. Evening students make up about 90% of the study body. Many work at Pittsburgh's multi-national and regional firms and bring real-world issues to the classroom experience. The daytime MBA Sustainability students, 60% of whom hail from outside the region, take their core courses as a cohort during the day. They bring a broad range of geographic, ethnic, educational and professional backgrounds to their studies and field work. Both evening and daytime student interface regularly for idea cafes with corporate partners, symposia, case competitions, speaker events, intramural sports, and student organizations such as Net Impact and the Donahue Business Society.

School Says - Admissions
Required application materials for all programs: on-line biographical application form, official transcripts and GMAT scores, two professional references/ratings, personal essays (questions vary by program), and a resume or vitae. TOEFL scores are required for international students who completed their undergraduate degrees in a language other than English.

The evening MBA and MS-ISM programs accept new students in Fall and Spring. Application deadlines are May 1 for Fall enrollment and October 1 for Spring admissions. A separate application is required for candidates interested in graduate assistantships. http://www.business.duq.edu/grad

The MBA Sustainability admits one cohort per academic year. Early decision applications are accepted from September through December, and the regular decision deadline is March 31 for enrollment in August.

Scholarships, fellowships and graduate assistantships are granted on a merit basis, and all applicants are considered based on the strength of application materials. http://mba.sustainability.duq.edu.

The MAcc program accepts applications through May 1 for admission in the fall of the same year. Scholarships, fellowships and graduate assistantships are granted on a merit basis, and all applicants are considered based on the strength of application materials. http://www.business.duq.edu/grad

School Says - Campus Life
Gumberg Library brings over 200 world class e-research databases to students' fingertips. The university library itself houses over 710,500 volumes, more than 19,000 journal titles, and an extensive microprint and audiovisual center. Other library facilities include an online card catalog and a CD-ROM center that gives students access to hundreds of additional periodicals not physically housed in the library.

The Donahue School also operates independent centers including an Investment Center, the Beard Institute, the Chrysler Corporation Small Business Development Center, the Center for Competitive Workforce Development and the Center for International Regulatory Assistance.

The Investment Center offers access to syndicated databases and sophisticated analytical tools in a classroom setting that mimics worldwide trading operations with real-time data feeds for stocks, bonds, international markets, futures, options and other securities. Students have regular access to historical and current data from Boomberg, Reuters, Morningstar, Ibbotson, Compustat, CSI and KLD and Trucost. Adjacent technology labs offer state-of-the-art software for enterprise resource planning (ERP), networking, modeling and computing.

The Beard Institute focuses on the importance of business ethics, responsible financial management and sustainability in the global marketplace and offers educational programing and resources.

Students Say - Academics
With the introduction of a new sustainability-focused MBA program, a growing reputation, and an unwavering emphasis on ethical approaches to business principles, students at the Donahue Graduate School of Business say "it is a truly exciting time at Duquesne University." Duquesne offers an evening MBA program for working professionals, dual degree programs, and several master's programs, as well as their flagship offering: "an 11-month full-time program, focusing primarily in sustainability." While the school has maintained a solid regional reputation for many years, a student observes, "Since launching the MBA Sustainability program, I have noticed an unstoppable momentum. Students, faculty, and administration are relentlessly involved in new research, case competitions, and program development." In addition to the academic energy the new program has produced, students say adding sustainability to the MBA is "perfect for the student looking for a career edge," as very few graduate business programs offer the highly specialized training they receive at Duquesne. On a broader scale, business courses throughout the curriculum "emphasize both the subject areas and the ethical and sustainability considerations. This holistic combination produces balanced individuals who learn to solve problems while protecting the rights of others and the environment." In addition, students can add depth to their MBA through one of ten established concentrations (including business ethics, environmental management, marketing, and taxation) or top off the experience with international business skills through a semester abroad at one of the school's partner universities in France, Colombia, Mexico, Japan, China, Belgium, or Germany. In addition to its innovative curricular offerings, Duquesne distinguishes itself through its "genuine interest in the success of their students." Duquesne professors "like to teach and are skilled instructors." A current student shares, "With rare exception, all of my professors are wonderful teachers who take the time to explain material." In particular, students appreciate the fact that "particular professors are brought in straight from the work world and know their field inside and out." What's more, at this small school, students benefit from ample interaction with faculty. For example, "students form close relationships with faculty and often begin joint research projects out of the classroom. This research is usually published where the student is recognized as primary, secondary, or joint author." When it comes to the workload, "Tests are killer but the papers are manageable." However, students also remind us that "this is not a heavy quant school, and there is a heavy emphasis on the soft skills in the business world." To that end, teamwork is heavily emphasized and "the MBA students come from a variety of backgrounds, bringing many perspectives to classroom discussions. This enhances the learning experience by broadening our perspectives and encouraging us to contribute to the discussions." In addition to excellence, convenience is key to a Duquesne education; the program allows undergraduate business majors to waive a large percentage of required courses, and the "program that is set up to make education accessible by conducting classes in several locations around the city of Pittsburgh."

Students Say - Admissions
Applicants to Duquesne are evaluated based on their undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, autobiographical statement, GMAT scores, and work experience. Generally speaking, a minimum GMAT score of 550 is required for admission to the program. Students with more than ten years of high-level business experience may be able to waive the GMAT requirement.

Students Say - Campus Life
According to its students, Duquesne graduate business programs attract a group of "intelligent people who sincerely care about their academic and professional careers." The overall "atmosphere is friendly and supportive," and students "work on projects outside of school, have started clubs, and socialize regularly. I believe that some of us will stay in close contact long down the road." A current student adds, "My cohorts spend a lot of time together, eating, studying, and going out on the drink. We have our own computer lab. It is similar to an office setting where work and chatter coexist." Duquesne's "beautiful" campus is "located in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh," an affordable, big city that also boasts a respectable business community. In addition to overhauling the curriculum, students are proud to report that "there are long-range plans for new construction of LEED Certified buildings, not to mention the retrofitting of current buildings." Of the many facilities available to graduate students on the Duquesne campus, "the new fitness center is a definite selling point." On the downside, "parking is terrible, which is funny considering the campus is mostly commuters."

Students Say - Careers
The Duquesne University Career Services Center provides career services to undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni. Through DuqConnection, students can post their resumes, register for career fairs, and view current job openings online. On campus, the center hosts two major career fairs each year. In addition, the Career Services Center maintains contact with other universities, which sponsor more career fairs or jobrelated forums, giving student access to a range of career opportunities in the greater region. Recently, the following employers recruited Duquesne graduates: Allegheny Energy, American Eagle Outfitters, Bayer, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, GlaxoSmithKline, Highmark, Intel, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Roadway Express, and Verizon Wireless. With a largely regional reputation, "Duquesne University is well-known and respected in Western Pennsylvania, but loses some credibility outside of the state." As a result, some feel the school should "allocate more resources to assisting students with finding employment nationally and internationally."

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