The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business continues to expand opportunities for students by introducing programs aligned with emerging workforce needs and changing expectations in business education.
Recent additions, including new undergraduate majors in real estate and financial planning and the redesigned Flex MBA, reflect Duquesne’s commitment to helping students build the skills, credentials and confidence needed for meaningful careers.
Real Estate: Learning in a Dynamic Industry
Launching in fall 2026, the real estate major will prepare students for career opportunities in one of the nation’s largest industries. The program offers an interdisciplinary, industry-focused education that draws on the School’s strengths in entrepreneurship, finance, management, accounting, taxation, law, marketing, sales and strategy.
Designed in collaboration with faculty experts, industry professionals and regional business leaders, the major will help students understand the complexity of commercial and residential real estate while developing the analytical, strategic and relationship-building skills employers seek.
As the only undergraduate business program of its kind in the Pittsburgh region, Duquesne’s real estate major will give students an immersive experience that goes beyond traditional coursework. Course-embedded projects will connect students with real estate professionals and give them opportunities to address real industry challenges.
The School also appointed Patrick Sentner as the program’s inaugural real estate program director. Sentner brings decades of industry experience and a broad professional network that will support student mentorship, industry partnerships and career opportunities.
A real estate minor and certificate also will launch in fall 2026, giving business and nonbusiness students additional ways to develop expertise in the field.
Financial Planning: Preparing Trusted Advisers
In fall 2025, the School introduced a financial planning major approved by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. The program provides a pathway to careers in wealth management, financial advising, retirement planning and investment consulting.
The curriculum is aligned with CFP Board education requirements, allowing students to sit for the CFP exam, a leading credential in financial planning.
As financial decisions become more complex, the need for professionals who can provide ethical, informed guidance continues to grow. The financial planning major combines technical knowledge with Duquesne’s emphasis on ethics and values-based decision-making, preparing graduates to help clients pursue their financial goals with confidence.
A finance minor also is available for business students who want to build additional expertise in this high-demand area.
Flex MBA: Built for Today’s Professionals
The School also redesigned its MBA program to meet the needs of working professionals. The Flex MBA offers a streamlined 33-credit curriculum with embedded certificate coursework, giving students a path to dual credentials.
Students can specialize in analytics and information management, entrepreneurship, executive leadership, finance or supply chain management. The analytics and information management, finance, and supply chain management certificates are STEM-designated.
The program emphasizes leadership, strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, communication, AI integration and analytical problem-solving.
“I chose Duquesne’s Flex MBA because my career was my primary focus,” said Iziah Waugh MBA’26. “I wanted a program that would fit my schedule so I could balance my full-time job.”
Together, these new and redesigned programs help Duquesne business students prepare for what comes next with flexibility, purpose and a clear path forward.
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