Academics
Offering AACSB-accredited graduate programs since the 1930s, the University at Buffalo School of Management has a long history of excellence, operating both a full-time and part-time MBA, as well as a twenty-month executive MBA for seasoned professionals. The academic programs are “very well-organized” and “the school does a great job of emphasizing ‘management’ as an underlying factor in each course” in the core curriculum. While covering business fundamentals like finance and marketing, the curriculum moves ahead with the times, and “courses are constantly updated and altered to reflect real-world experience based on current events,” and integrated ethics. Getting a strong practical perspective isn’t a problem: UB complements the academic offerings with “great opportunities outside the classroom,” including “professional speakers, networking events, country forums, [and] community service,” as well as case competitions and special offerings, like business projects with corporate partners. To further augment the curriculum, UB operates several formal exchange programs with business schools overseas, as well as shorter “trips to China for international business classes.”
Along with affordable tuition, UB offers a “smaller, more intimate MBA experience” with an “emphasis on teamwork and leadership skills” throughout the curriculum. Within each incoming class, full-time students are divided into fixed cohorts then assigned to a fixed study group of five to six students. “Group meetings outside of class require a lot of time and commitment” and can be among the most challenging aspects of the program. A student elaborates, “The curriculum is difficult and pushes students to their limits in all realms, especially in regards to working in a team environment with people you may not know to start out or who have very different perspectives than you.” Despite the challenges, the focus on teamwork “simulates the real world” and “provides for a great learning environment.” A student admits, “I have created a great network here, both with the students, professors, alums and other community members.” Adds another, “The students are all very close and the faculty and administration are extremely involved.” While the environment is friendly, the teaching staff can be “hit and miss” in the classroom, and some professors are universally disliked. Fortunately, “professors are very good overall” and “many are leaders in [their] fields.” Even more importantly, “the professors have been great and are always accessible if needed, whether…after class, during weekly office hours, or by setting up a special time to meet.”
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