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 10 majors:  

• Accounting
• Economics
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Finance or Financial Planning
• General Business
• 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 and Innovation, Finance, Financial Planning, 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. The student's curriculum path must include the requirements of their specific major (listed below), University Bridge courses, and Business School Core courses. 

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 Functional Knowledge

Learners will have the disciplinary business knowledge to utilize foundational theories and frameworks to evaluate business situations.

• Identify and describe theories and frameworks, foundational to business disciplines (e.g., accounting, economics, ethics, finance, information systems, law, management and organizational behavior, marketing and business development, statistics, supply chain management).
• Select and implement appropriate foundational theories and frameworks to evaluate and recommend courses of action.

Analytical and Critical Business Thinking

Learners will demonstrate an ability to analyze complex situations and information to evaluate alternatives and develop innovative solutions for business problems.

• Identify and describe theories and frameworks, tools for idea generation, opportunity recognition, problem solving, and decision making.
• Select appropriate theories and frameworks, tools for idea generation, opportunity recognition, problem solving, and decision making, and implement them to support claims, develop business plans, evaluate courses of action, and make recommendations.
• Use appropriate technologies and tools to extract and analyze data to aid business decisions.

Cultural Intelligence

Learners will possess an understanding of cultural differences in order to operate effectively in a global business environment.

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

Ethical and Moral Compass

Learners will be able to recognize ethical dilemmas in an organizational context and apply ethical decision-making frameworks to business decisions.

• Describe the ethical principles of responsibility, fairness, rights, honesty, benefiting others, diversity and inclusion.
• Apply ethical theory and moral reasoning to business situations.
• Incorporate social, environment, and economic principles (i.e., integrated bottom line) when evaluating and recommending courses of action.

Influence and Collaboration

Learners will possess the leadership skills for motivating people and creating positive organizational change.

• Demonstrate effective communication and persuasion.
• Demonstrate team member effectiveness.

---

Majors and Minors within Other Duquesne Schools

Students may, at their discretion, declare a major or minor within select other Schools at Duquesne (e.g., Arts, Music, Science & Engineering). Students should consult with their Success Coach to determine available options and complete any necessary application or declaration forms. 

---

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 97 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 B.S.B.A. and J.D. 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 (B.S.B.A./B.A.) 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 in Actuarial Science
• Certificate in Business Management
• Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Certificate in International Business
• Certificate in Professional Selling
• Certificate in Quantitative Finance

For certificate details and course requirements, visit the Certificates webpage.

---

Four Year Sample Plan

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

First Year

Bridge Courses (subject to change) 

Total Credits 7

Business Core

Total Credits 24

Sophomore Year

Bridges Courses

Total Credits 9

Business Core

Total Credits 21

Junior Year

Business Core

Total Credits 3

Major Area of Concentration

Total Credits 12

Electives and Bridges Courses

Total Credits 15

Senior Year

Business Core

Total Credits 6

Major Area of Concentration

Total Credits 12

Electives and Bridges Courses

Total Credits 11

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 requirements may be taken at any time during the student's four years. Students should consult their Student Success Coach for further information.