Academic Programs and Paths

Academic Programs

The Palumbo Donahue School of Business grants the degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree requires a minimum of 120 earned credits.

The Palumbo Donahue School of Business offers a total of 9 majors:  

• Accounting
• Economics
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Information Systems & Technology
• Management
• Marketing
• Supply Chain Management
• Business Analytics (co-major only)

Additionally, the following minors are available: Accounting, Digital Marketing and Analysis, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Information Systems & Technology, Legal Studies, Management, Professional Selling and Marketing, Sports Marketing, and Supply Chain Management.

Students entering the School of Business are expected to inform their Student Success Coach about their career objectives and their desired major(s) and minor(s), and to consult with them when planning their program of study. Proposed curriculum choices must include the University requirements and Business School Core requirements as indicated in this Catalog. 

Student program of studies should be based upon career objectives and constitute a broad and flexible educational process. Students are encouraged to tailor cross-disciplinary educational programs to meet their individual needs. Career advice should be sought from many and varied sources in the University, including faculty, Success Coaches, and the Center for Career Development. Course suggestions and degree requirements for all major  can be obtained from a Student Success Coach.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the business program, students will demonstrate proficiency in the following key areas of business:

Business Knowledge

1. Identify and describe theories, frameworks, and tools foundational to business disciplines for idea generation, opportunity recognition, problem solving, and decision making.
2. Select and implement appropriate foundational theories, frameworks, and tools to evaluate and recommend courses of action.

Critical Business Thinking

1. Identify and describe theories, frameworks, and tools for idea generation, opportunity recognition, problem solving, and decision making.
2. Select appropriate theories, frameworks, and tools for idea generation, opportunity recognition, problem solving, and decision making, and implementing them to support claims, develop business plans, evaluate courses of action, and make recommendations.

Cultural Intelligence

1. Describe and explain how culture shapes business practices in particular countries and regions.
2. Describe how an understanding of culture can help employees to interact more effectively in cross-national business contexts.

Ethical and Moral Compass

1. Describe and reflect on the ethical principles of responsibility, fairness, rights, honesty, benefiting others, diversity and inclusion.
2. Apply ethical theory and moral reasoning in business issues.
3. Incorporate social, environment, and economic principles (i.e., triple bottom line) when evaluating and recommending courses of actions.

Influence and Collaboration

1. Demonstrate effective communication and persuasion.
2. Demonstrate team member effectiveness.

Majors and Minors within the McAnulty College of Liberal Arts

Students may, at their discretion, declare a major or minor within the College of Arts. Refer to the College Departmental listing for specific major or minor requirements. You must complete an on-line declaration form with the College of Arts.

Dual Degrees and Second Degrees

Second Bachelor's Degree

Students who have received a Bachelor's Degree from an approved college or university may be eligible to enter the program for a second Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. A student's first degree must not be in Business. A second-degree candidate must meet all requirements of the School's degree program. A minimum of 30 credits must be completed in residency.

Bachelor's/J.D.

Students who have completed 96 credits in the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business Administration with an overall average of 3.5 or better and who have satisfied all undergraduate curricular requirements at Duquesne University may apply for early enrollment in the Duquesne University School of Law. Students meeting the criteria would complete three years of business classes and then enroll in the School of Law at the start of their fourth year. In doing so, students would earn both the BSBA and JD degrees in six years. All coursework must be completed at Duquesne University. Students interested in this program should consult their Student Success Coach in their sophomore year to plan their program of studies. Because of the restrictive nature of this program, it is not open to transfer students.

Dual Degree Program with McAnulty College

The School of Business and the College of Liberal Arts have developed a dual degree (BSBA/BA) option. Students interested in this program should consult the Student Success Coaches in the School of Business or in the College of Liberal Arts.

Certificates

Certificate programs allow students to complete a concentrated area of study in addition to their major. Certificates typically require 15-18 credits, are noted on students’transcripts upon graduation, and can be used to fulfill the related area requirement.

Certificate Options

Certificate in Actuarial Science

The Certificate in Actuarial Science is an 18-credit program composed of courses from two schools: the McAnulty College of Liberal Arts and the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business.  Earning this certificate is equivalent to obtaining a minor from the College of Liberal Arts. The certificate is available to any Duquesne University student, and can be fully accessed only through fourteen (14) additional credits of prerequisite coursework.

Certificate in Business Management

The Certificate in Business Management is available to students outside of the Business School who might wish to pursue a business-related career within their discipline.

Certificate in Entrepreneurship

The Certificate in Entrepreneurship is available to students outside of the School of Business who wish to acquire entrepreneurship and business skills that will make them more marketable to employers or help them launch companies of their own.

Certificate in International Business

The Certificate in International Business is a credential for globally-focused Duquesne students who wish to complement their major with practical, value-added competencies in IB.  The International Business certificate is available students both outside and within the School of Business.

Certificate in Professional Selling

The Certificate in Professional Selling is available to students outside of the School of Business who wish to pursue a sales-related career within their discipline. Examples include careers in health care sales, entertainment industry sales, pharmaceutical sales, technical sales or even recruiting.

Certificate in Quantitative Finance

The Certificate in Quantitative Finance allows students to develop a skill set and deep knowledge in mathematics, computer science, probability, statistics, and the applications of these disciplines to finance. It is available to students both outside and within the School of Business.

The certificate requires 32 credits of coursework in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, and Finance. For individual students, requirements vary depending on the student's major:

• Students in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science, and Physics can earn the certificate with their major by completing an additional 15 credits in Finance.
• Students in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biomedical Engineering can earn the certificate with their major by completing an additional 15 credits in Finance plus 3 credits in Computer Science.
• Students in Finance can earn the certificate with their major by completing additional 17 credits in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. Seven of these credits can be counted toward university and business core requirements.

Four Year Sample Plan

Requirements for the B.S.B.A. (120 CREDITS)

First Year

Bridge Courses (subject to change) 

Business Core

Sophomore Year

Bridges Courses

Business Core

Junior Year

Business Core

Major Area of Concentration

Electives and Bridges Courses

Senior Year

Business Core

Major Area of Concentration

Electives and Bridges Courses

Students are responsible for knowing and adhering to the prerequisites for those courses in which they are registered.

The sample plan has a degree of flexibility and is subject to change. The Bridges and Communication/Culture requirements may be taken at any time during the student's four years. Students should consult their Student Success Coach for further information.