Mount Saint Mary College MBA Program

Introduction

Mount Saint Mary College (MSMC) is a private, liberal arts institution situated in Newburgh, in the scenic Hudson Valley region of New York State. Founded with a mission rooted in service and intellectual growth, the college has developed into an institution recognized for both academic excellence and professional preparation. One of its hallmark offerings is the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, carefully designed to meet the needs of contemporary students, particularly those who balance work, family, and education.

The MBA at Mount Saint Mary College embodies the college’s broader commitment to liberal arts traditions while simultaneously ensuring practical application and relevance in today’s business environment. With an accelerated schedule and options for both part-time and full-time enrollment, the program has been crafted with the working professional in mind. Its design emphasizes flexibility, accessibility, and academic rigor, ensuring that students are able to advance their careers without sacrificing the quality of their learning experience.

The college also offers an integrated Accounting B.S./MBA five-year program, which combines undergraduate and graduate study into a seamless curriculum. This program is specifically tailored to meet the academic requirements for licensing as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York State. It provides students with the depth of knowledge required for accounting and business careers while simultaneously preparing them for the CPA exam.

Through its MBA offerings, Mount Saint Mary College has positioned itself as a regional leader in business education, attracting students from diverse backgrounds who are united by their ambition to advance their careers and contribute meaningfully to their organizations and communities.

The MBA Program

The MBA program at Mount Saint Mary College has been carefully structured to provide a strong foundation in the core disciplines of business while offering enough flexibility to allow students to apply what they learn directly to their professional contexts. The accelerated schedule is one of the most attractive features of the program. Unlike traditional MBA structures that may span multiple years in a rigid format, MSMC’s approach allows motivated students to progress more quickly while still maintaining the rigor associated with graduate-level study.

Students may choose to pursue their degree on either a part-time or full-time basis, depending on their personal and professional commitments. This flexibility makes the program particularly attractive to working professionals in the Hudson Valley and beyond, many of whom are juggling demanding careers, family responsibilities, and community involvement.

The program covers all the fundamental areas of business administration, including accounting, finance, economics, management, operations, and marketing, while integrating the study of leadership, ethics, and strategic decision-making. The balance between technical skills and leadership development reflects the program’s dual aim: to prepare students with the practical knowledge needed to perform effectively in professional settings, and to cultivate the broader vision required for leadership in today’s dynamic business landscape.

The accelerated format also means that courses are designed to be highly efficient, with content that is both academically robust and immediately applicable. Students are encouraged to bring their real-world professional experiences into the classroom, enriching discussions and case studies with practical insights. This interactive model allows peers to learn from one another as well as from faculty, creating a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.

The Accounting B.S./MBA Five-Year Program

A distinguishing feature of Mount Saint Mary College’s business education offerings is the Accounting B.S./MBA five-year program. This dual-degree track allows students to complete both an undergraduate degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration within five years, an accelerated timeline compared to completing the two degrees separately.

This program is particularly appealing for students who aspire to become Certified Public Accountants. The New York State Board of Accountancy requires candidates to complete 150 semester hours of education before sitting for the CPA exam. By integrating the bachelor’s and master’s programs, MSMC ensures that graduates not only meet this requirement but also gain a comprehensive education in both accounting and business administration.

The curriculum provides a thorough grounding in financial and managerial accounting, taxation, auditing, and accounting information systems, while simultaneously exposing students to advanced study in management, finance, and business strategy. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that graduates are not only technically proficient in accounting but also capable of applying their knowledge in leadership and decision-making roles.

Graduates of the program are well prepared to pursue careers in corporate and nonprofit accounting, public accounting firms, financial management, government service, and consulting. In addition, they are eligible to sit for the CPA exam, a credential that significantly enhances professional opportunities and earning potential. The program thus represents a powerful combination of academic preparation, professional certification readiness, and leadership development.

Achievements and Recognition

Mount Saint Mary College has earned recognition for its academic quality and contributions to both students and the broader community. In the 2013 U.S. News & World Report rankings, the college was placed 124th among Regional Universities in the North, a category that includes institutions across 11 states and the District of Columbia. This recognition reflects MSMC’s continued commitment to providing high-quality education while fostering an environment that supports student success.

Earlier, in the 2011 U.S. News Best Colleges annual report, Mount Saint Mary College was ranked as a Top-Tier Regional University in the North. Achieving top-tier status underscores the institution’s ability to combine strong academic offerings with student-centered support, making it one of the most respected colleges in its category.

Beyond traditional academic rankings, MSMC has also been acknowledged for its commitment to community service. The college has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, a national recognition awarded to institutions that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to volunteerism, service-learning, and civic engagement. This honor is especially meaningful as it aligns with the college’s mission of fostering responsible citizenship and leadership among its students.

For the MBA program, these achievements affirm the quality of the education that students receive. Employers and graduate schools alike recognize the value of an MSMC degree, and the college’s regional and national recognition reflects the strong reputation it has cultivated over the years.

Accreditation

Accreditation is an essential indicator of the quality and legitimacy of any academic program, and Mount Saint Mary College maintains high standards in this area. The institution is fully accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, one of the six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

This accreditation ensures that the college meets rigorous standards of academic quality, institutional effectiveness, and continuous improvement. For students, it provides assurance that their degree will be recognized and respected by employers, graduate schools, and licensing bodies. For the MBA program specifically, accreditation demonstrates that the curriculum, faculty, and resources meet the standards expected of graduate-level business education.

The Middle States accreditation also reflects the college’s commitment to ongoing assessment and accountability. Mount Saint Mary College is required to regularly evaluate its programs, outcomes, and institutional effectiveness, ensuring that it continues to adapt and improve in response to student needs and the evolving demands of the workforce.

Conclusion

Mount Saint Mary College has established itself as a strong and respected institution of higher education in New York’s Hudson Valley, offering programs that are both academically rigorous and practically relevant. The MBA program stands as one of its premier offerings, providing working professionals with the opportunity to advance their education and careers through an accelerated and flexible schedule. With both part-time and full-time options, the program accommodates the realities of adult learners while maintaining the quality expected of graduate business education.

The Accounting B.S./MBA five-year program is another hallmark of the college, designed specifically to meet the needs of students preparing for CPA licensure in New York. By combining undergraduate and graduate education into a seamless curriculum, this program provides the depth and breadth of training required for professional accounting careers while ensuring graduates are well prepared for the CPA exam.

The college’s achievements and rankings, including recognition from U.S. News & World Report and its inclusion on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, affirm the institution’s commitment to both academic excellence and community engagement. These honors highlight the value of an MSMC degree and reflect the college’s success in preparing students not only for professional careers but also for meaningful contributions to society.

With its strong foundation, regional reputation, and commitment to continuous improvement, Mount Saint Mary College offers a graduate business education that is both practical and transformative. Students leave the program not only with advanced knowledge in business administration but also with the confidence, leadership skills, and ethical grounding required to succeed in today’s complex and ever-changing business world.

In the Hudson Valley and beyond, the MSMC MBA has become a respected credential for professionals seeking to advance their careers, contribute to their organizations, and make a lasting impact in their communities.