The School of Business will launch its refreshed One-Year M.B.A. in June 2026. Running June through May, the full-time, 39-credit, cohort-based program builds on its long-standing reputation as a top-ranked “Better World MBA” by Corporate Knights magazine, known for educating leaders who integrate sustainability, ethics, and innovation into business practice.
The new curriculum responds to the evolving needs of today’s business professionals.
By providing a sharper focus on career readiness, customization, and experiential learning, graduate students and employees benefit from the School's reimagined full-time, One-Year M.B.A. program.
Core sustainable business concepts have been expanded to include ethics, corporate governance, social and environmental reporting, strategic sustainability models, and impact investing, Sustainability continues to be integrated into required and elective courses.
Consulting Experiences That Set Graduates Apart
Students in the program complete four consulting projects: Human-Centered Design Experience, Sustainability Consulting Experience, Strategic Capstone Consulting Experience, and Global Business. Faculty or industry experts lead each project, which culminate in tangible and impactful deliverables for corporate and community partners that serve as proof points of graduates' analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
As part of the Global Business course, students focus on the global environment of modern business, paying specific attention to the cultural, social, environmental, and legal differences that affect international transactions and the development of collaborative partnerships. The course culminates with a study abroad trip where students present their project outcomes to international partner organizations.
Career and Life Design
The Career and Life Design class ensures every student graduates with a clear understanding of their strengths, values, and career goals, supported by actionable strategies. This intentional blend of career coaching, skill-building, and employer engagement means graduates are "job-ready" and equipped to navigate long-term career growth with resilience and influence.
“Through academic coursework, personal reflection, and professional development, One-Year MBA students are empowered to pursue bigger goals and understand what it takes to achieve them,” said David Fortna, Director of Executive Education and Leadership Development. Fortna teaches the Career & Life Design course and provides individual career coaching to graduate business students.
Flexibility Through Electives
One-Year M.B.A. students can customize their MBA experience by selecting two electives, allowing them to target the skills most aligned with their career goals.
Added Support for Non-Business Backgrounds
Recognizing that many One-Year M.B.A. candidates come from diverse academic backgrounds, the School offers online resource modules in business fundamentals. Accessible before the start of the program, these resources ensure that all students enter the program confident and prepared.
“After just three semesters, One-Year M.B.A. students are prepared to tackle the demands of a dynamic and complex business environment,” said Dr. Karen Russo Donovan, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Executive Education. “We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of business leaders in Summer 2026.”
Applications for the 2026 cohort are currently open. The School of Business will hold a virtual information session on December 16 for prospective students. For more information, visit the One-Year MBA web page.
News Information
Duquesne’s curriculum continues to advance in meaningful ways, with experiential learning, sustainability, and professional development remaining central. My M.B.A. consulting project with Omnicell provided a transformative experience that led directly to my current role as the manager of the ESG program."