Latest Program Innovations

Graduate Finance Program 

Finance is a growing field, and employers in many industries are seeking graduates with financial skills. Our Graduate Finance program prepares early- and mid-career professionals seeking careers in financial management, capital markets, banking, corporate treasury, investment management and related fields.

The Graduate Certificate in Finance launched in Fall 2022, offering students the opportunity to build their financial skills through either a standalone certificate or as part of the Professional MBA program. Financial management is vital to the long-run growth and success of every organization, and this 21-credit certificate program allows students to build sought-after knowledge and skills in the field of finance.

The Master of Science in Finance launched in Fall 2023. The program is designed to help students develop deep skills in financial analysis and valuation for decision making in all aspects of business investment, financing and operating activities, so that graduates are prepared to fully engage in organizations ranging from small and medium enterprises to major corporations.

This 36-credit program offers maximum flexibility for professional students. A mix of asynchronous and synchronous online classes allow students to complete the program when and where they choose. Students can select from courses that will help them pursue careers in financial management, capital markets, banking, corporate treasury, or wealth management.

Management to Leadership 

We continually evaluate program offerings in consultation with alumni, industry leaders, faculty, and current students. As a School, we strive to offer a mix of programs that will prepare our students for professional advancement and to become “difference makers” within their places of employment and their communities. After careful evaluation, it was determined that our students would best be served by discontinuing the Master of Science in Management (MSM), as our other graduate programs now fulfill the educational objectives previously served by the MSM. In summer of 2022, we began phasing out the program, while ensuring that the current MSM students were given support and informed of their options.

Understanding that there is still a need for business professionals with management and leadership skills, a Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership (GCEL) was launched in Fall 2022. This 15-credit program teaches students to lead with vision and a strategic mindset. The program is designed for professionals in diverse fields who wish to develop strategic and entrepreneurial acumen, an understanding of behavior in organizations and the ability to motivate and lead organizational change. Our program features faculty expertise that results in real-world skills that will allow graduates to drive organizational effectiveness and performance.

We strive to offer our students maximum flexibility, which is why the GCEL can be completed asynchronously. Students can complete the program at their own pace in as little as one year. It can be completed as a standalone certificate or paired with the Professional MBA.

Business-Analytics Co-Major 

The School launched a new co-major in Business Analytics in Fall 2022, preparing students to find actionable answers to complex questions in any industry. Business Analytics combines raw data with the latest analytical tools to help provide management with actionable solutions to real-world business challenges. This innovative co-major gives students the opportunity to turn foundational knowledge into transformational experiences. Students gain the problem-solving abilities to answer questions in a technology-driven world.

An article in BizEd, an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International publication, noted that, “The rise of data analytics is one of the hallmarks of 21st-century business”

Business Analytics complements and strengthens other business majors. The program focuses on the ability to communicate the business analysis of data that spans all disciplines, making it a logical companion to the School’s eight majors. Indeed, adding a Business Analytics co-major will give students a leg up on the competition. The Occupational Outlook Handbook compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the following analyst occupations that require data mostly in business disciplines: market research analysts, budget analysts, computer systems analysts, information security analysts, financial analysts, logisticians, and operations research analysts. These occupations are projected to grow 15%-25% faster than the average between 2020-2030, giving an edge to professionals with a thorough grounding in business and analytics.

Leadership Programs Reimagined 

The Emerging Women’s Leadership Program has recently undergone a significant change, moving from a two-day conference to a three-month learning journey that features two in-person immersive sessions, virtual modules, and networking events connecting current participants with graduates of Duquesne’s leadership programs. Topics are delivered by renowned faculty and industry experts and include strategic thinking, giving and receiving feedback, and effective presentations. To better align with the new curriculum, the program has been renamed the Emerging Leaders Program.

The Women’s Executive Leadership (WEL) Program has also undergone recent changes. The program, which has been welcoming annual cohorts since its inception in 2008, now offers opportunities for distance-learning in addition to in-person learning experiences. The WEL program welcomes business leaders of all genders to make a difference through a distinct developmental experience that improves leadership capacity and fosters the ability to create organizational change.

"My personal journey from a doer to a strategic leader has been cultivated because of my participation in the program.”