School of Management

The mission of the Boston University School of Management (SMG) is to prepare ethical and innovative leaders who create value for their organizations, their communities, and the world.

Founded in 1913, the school is a leader in innovative management education. Today more than 2,000 undergraduates and 1,200 master’s and doctoral candidates constitute its diverse and achievement-driven student body.

Undergraduate Program

The SMG undergraduate program teaches managerial perspectives using a systems approach (a philosophy as well as the introductory course) to teach an understanding of the critical interrelationships of various functions within organizations. The school emphasizes a cohesive, enterprise-wide view of management. At the same time, students may also develop a specialty through their choice of electives. Practical, real-world experiences supplement experiences inside the classroom.

Master’s Programs

At BU, MBA students learn to integrate an understanding of how each of the management disciplines (from accounting to finance to marketing to organizational behavior, and more) impacts overall organizational effectiveness. They also have the opportunity to specialize in one or more management discipline.

The school places special research and teaching focus on three sectors of vital importance to effective global leadership in the twenty-first century: digital technology, energy and the environment, and health and life sciences.

In addition to these, students concentrate in the traditional areas of MBA studies, including accounting, finance, marketing, operations, organizational behavior, and strategy. The school also offers programs in public and nonprofit management and health sector management. In addition, MBA students may pursue dual degrees in information systems (the MS/MBA), communications, law, medicine, engineering, public health, and arts and sciences.

Executive MBA

The Executive MBA program is an intense, full-time, 18-month program designed for executives with 10 years or more of experience. The program’s general management focus provides students with a strong foundation in the core competencies with emphasis on team learning, global perspective, and leadership. The curriculum is delivered in five integrated modules and four residence weeks and the Team Learning course which spans the entire program. The third residential week takes place at an international location determined by the faculty, and it is integrated with Module 4, focused on the global environment, and with Module 5, focused on entrepreneurship and business plan development.

Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Program

The school offers Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in accounting, finance, information systems, marketing, mathematical finance, operations & technology management, organizational behavior, and strategy & innovation, as well as post-doctoral studies.

The PhD program is focused on those scholars who are interested in creating and disseminating knowledge and teaching in a university setting. Through applied management research, scholars probe organizational issues of leadership, human resources, systems, finances, and more—to develop solutions that make a difference in business and society.

Post-doctoral appointments are also available on a highly competitive basis. Post-doctoral students generally have a one- or two-year appointment and a narrowly defined research agenda, plus a teaching assignment.

Accreditation

Each of the undergraduate and graduate degree programs of the School of Management is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International.