Villanova School of Business Graduate Brochure

STUDENT - FOCUSED

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The Villanova School of Business is known for its commitment to teaching excellence, distinguished research, academic rigor, superior faculty, and the integration of ethics and service into extracurricular experiences.

A Graduate Degree for Any Point of Your Career

The Villanova School of Business (VSB) offers graduate education that spans the spectrum of experience, academic interests, professional goals and schedules of our diverse student population.

From specialized degree options in Finance, Accounting, Taxation, and Business Analytics to our top-ranked, flexible Professional MBA and Executive MBA programs, VSB continues to deliver transformational experiences for wherever you may be in your career.

SPECIALIZED MASTERS

PROFESSIONAL MBA

EXECUTIVE MBA

Obtain in-depth training in functional areas, enabling you to become a specialist within a specific discipline.

Broaden your business acumen, advance within your organization or change careers.

Expand your strategic leadership and overall business perspective without pausing your career.

LAUNCH ADVANCE LEAD

Recent graduates transitioning into the workforce and people seeking to accelerate growth or pivot their career.

Professionals with four or more years of valuable work experience.

Seasoned professionals, typically with managerial responsibility.

MAC

STEM-DESIGNATED

The Master of Accounting with Data Analytics (MAC) at VSB equips students with the skills needed to meet the real-world, real-time challenges of global business and the accounting industry. The MAC’s enhanced curriculum integrates data analytics, elevates accounting acumen, builds leadership and negotiation skills, and offers specialized elective courses to support corporate and advising career paths. It also prepares students with the 150 credit hours necessary for CPA licensure. MAC is a STEM-designated program that follows a full-time, two-semester format with intakes each fall and spring.

COHORT EXPERIENCE

INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM

EMPHASIS ON DATA ANALYTICS

ACCESS TO TOP ACCOUNTING FIRMS & BIG 4

AVERAGE STUDENT PROFILE

Age: 22

GPA: 3.6

Male: 63% / Female: 37%

COMMON CAREER PATHS

• Auditing

• Advising

• Consulting

• Corporate Finance

• Forensic Accounting

COMPANIES THAT HAVE HIRED RECENT GRADUATES

Baker Tilly Cohen and Co

Deloitte EY KPMG PwC RSM Wipfli, LLP

100%

Secured a job in accounting by graduation

100%

Took a position in public accounting

Class of 2023 outcomes data. Career outcomes are based on self-reported student data collected by the VSB Graduate Business Programs Office.

The faculty in the MAC program were extremely supportive, understanding, and flexible throughout the entire MAC program. They showed willingness to help everyone both in and out of the classroom academically and professionally.

Sade Meeks, ’22 MAC

MBT

STEM-DESIGNATED

The Master of Business Taxation with Data Analytics (MBT) integrates advanced coursework in taxation with quantitative applications in data, analytics and technology. The program equips students with the multi-dimensional skills needed to navigate the rapid changes in data and technology within the tax profession. The MBT curriculum covers in-depth topics such as the impact of taxation on business operations and planning as well as corporate, partnership and international taxation. MBT is a STEM-designated program that follows a full-time, two-semester format with intakes each fall and spring.

COHORT EXPERIENCE

INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM

EMPHASIS ON DATA ANALYTICS

ACCESS TO TOP ACCOUNTING FIRMS & BIG 4

AVERAGE STUDENT PROFILE

Age: 22

GPA: 3.7

COMMON CAREER PATHS

• Tax Consulting & Advising

• Wealth Management & Financial Planning

• Tax Analytics & Technology CAREER SUPPORT

• Dedicated career coaches and individualized support

• Campus recruiting and employer networking events

• Access to alumni community and mentor program

• Career management portal and premium job search tools

100% Secured a job offer by graduation

I loved my education from Villanova in the undergraduate program and it made sense to continue it getting an advanced degree in accounting. The program emphasized data analytics and accounting software. The program gave me a leg-up entering the industry with the advanced knowledge I learned.

Natalie Connors ’21 MBT

MSF

STEM-DESIGNATED

The Villanova Master of Science in Finance (MSF) is a rigorous, STEM-designated, 11-month, full-time degree program that combines a solid foundation in finance with exposure to the areas reshaping finance today. Over the span of three semesters (summer, fall and spring), you will take an intensive course load of financial theory and principles, along with electives in analytics, quantitative finance, investment management, real estate, machine learning, and more. The MSF program ties in the latest technology with VSB’s Gmelich Lab for Financial Markets. With an emphasis on hands-on learning, you will put theory into practice with every class, giving you the confidence to think and respond on a professional level.

COHORT EXPERIENCE

INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM

MENTORSHIP SUPPORT

ALUMNI NETWORK AND CAREER SERVICES

AVERAGE STUDENT PROFILE

Age: 23

GPA: 3.4

Avg GRE Quant: 159

GMAT: 624

Fellowships Awarded: 12

COMMON CAREER PATHS

• Equity Research

• Consulting & Advisory

• Corporate Finance

• Investment Banking Analyst

• Real Estate Valuation

• Sales & Trading

• Wealth Management

Percent of students that were employed within 6 months of graduation

93%  $95K AVERAGE MSF SALARY CLASS OF 2023

Data based on May 2023 graduates. Career outcomes are based on self-reported student data collected by the VSB Graduate Business Programs Office.

COMPANIES THAT HAVE HIRED RECENT GRADUATES

Accenture Bank of America

BlackRock

Deloitte

EY

Goldman Sachs

Johnson & Jonhson

KPMG

Lockheed Martin

Merck

Prudential

PwC

I knew VSB had a wonderful reputation and was excited for the opportunity to learn from Villanova faculty. For me, what set the MSF program apart from others was the professional development portion of the curriculum that focused on growing as a professional and connecting with alumni and the greater Villanova network.

Devin Moeller, ’21 MSF

MSBA

Our flexible, 100% online Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) degree helps expand students’ expertise in the latest analytics technologies, applications, and business practices while also preparing them to advance their business careers. The program is designed for working professionals—allowing them to complete an MSBA degree in as few as 18 months.

MSBA’s comprehensive curriculum is taught by our world-class faculty of experts in business, analytics, statistics, mathematics, and computer science. Through the support of the Center for Business Analytics, one of VSB’s five Centers of Excellence, the 30-credit-hour program has three components: Fundamentals, Core, and Practicum.

SMALL CLASSES & TALENTED PEERS

SKILLS-BASED CURRICULUM CAREER PLACEMENTS

INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS

AVERAGE STUDENT PROFILE

Age: 29

GPA: 3.3

Male: 60% / Female: 40%

COMMON CAREER PATHS

• Business Analytics

• Data Management Analyst

• Data Scientist / Data Science Specialists

• Market Research Analyst

• Business Research & Intelligence

• Operations Research Analyst

• Data Consultant

Fully Online Program

The MSBA considers a student’s busy schedule with courses taught completely online—many held synchronously in the evenings to encourage real-time discussions.

Skills-Based Curriculum

Our AACSB-accredited MSBA program is ranked 16th in the nation and is custom designed to meet current and evolving business needs, ensuring students learn the necessary data skills to succeed across the analytics spectrum. With guidance from industry executives and faculty, each course addresses skills organizations most urgently need from data collection and analysis, to implementation and application.

Upon graduation, students will be proficient in multiple programming languages and will have experience with an evolving array of cutting-edge big data management and cloud analysis tools.

Programming Languages

• R

• Python

• SQL

Data Management and Cloud

Analysis Tools

• Amazon SageMaker

• Hadoop

• Hive

• Pig

The Villanova MSBA provided me a toolbox of skills and knowledge to help navigate my career. It enhanced my ability to drive efficiency and deliver value by automating processes. I expect to receive more responsibilities and exposure to challenging problems that would not be possible without my Villanova MSBA.

Edward “Rory” Magargee, ’22 MSBA

PROFESSIONAL MBA

The Professional MBA offers working professionals a specialized education along with a valued credential supported by a market-driven curriculum. Students can advance freely between courses on campus, online and hybrid, fulfilling their personal and professional obligations while advancing their career prospects. Join our Fast Track MBA, an accelerated hybrid program to complete your degree in as soon as 18 months.

With entrepreneurship, data analytics, emerging technology, and innovation at the center of our curriculum, our top-ranked Professional MBA prepares students for the workplace of the future. We encourage our students to choose a curriculum path that meets their needs and equips them with the knowledge and leadership skills to develop their business expertise.

AVERAGE STUDENT PROFILE

Age: 30

GPA: 3.3

Male: 60% / Female: 40%

Future of Work

Working professionals can advance in their careers by focusing on specialized areas related to the future of business. Our future-focused specializations—Applied Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Analytics, Finance, International Business, Marketing, Strategic Management, and Sustainability—provide students with a unique opportunity to complement their Professional MBA education and reach their professional goals.

The Professional MBA program can be completed at your own pace, or in as little as 18 months. Students are required to complete 48 credits to graduate. To earn a specialization, students must take 7.5 elective credits.

Global Opportunities

Villanova Professional MBA students complete a Global Business Practicum as part of the program’s final capstone, studying geographical, economic, political, and cultural factors that affect global strategy. You will gain insight into international business by collaborating with a multinational corporation on a current market challenge.

Throughout this global business experience, alumni and local professionals will provide guidance and expertise as you formulate your recommendations, enriching your education and providing you with new perspectives. A Professional MBA program and the chance to travel the world are both incredible opportunities for students.

The global political economy class as well as the global practicum class and trip were a great help to my career. Gaining international insight and experience helped fill a gap in my professional confidence. Working for Boeing, I deal with international customers on a daily basis and having studied business relations in other countries helps me handle international customers.

Kylene Barut ’23 MBA

A Schedule to Fit Your Life

Pursue the Professional MBA that fits your schedule – on campus, online and hybrid.

ON CAMPUS

Fully immerse yourself by taking classes in-person at one of our two Philadelphia-area locations. Join us at Bartley Hall on main campus, at our Center City location or at both. Our on campus classes are typically scheduled Monday through Thursday from 6:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.

ONLINE

Learn on your own time through a fully immersive class curriculum accessible from your remote location. Our online courses have a weekly 1-hour live session supplemented by asynchronous content and instructor moderated assignments.

HYBRID

Choose where you learn by taking courses on campus or online, based on your schedule. Our world-class faculty and staff will help you find a hybrid combination to meet your personal and professional obligations.

FAST TRACK

Start your transformative journey towards career advancement with the Fast Track MBA accelerated hybrid option. This program is designed for ambitious professionals who want to accelerate their careers while maintaining the integrity of comprehensive education and an enriching student experience.

Our Fast Track MBA program accelerates your learning and provides maximum convenience and flexibility. Students can complete the program at Villanova’s Main Campus and the Center City, Philadelphia campus at Convene CityView (17th and Market Street). The dual delivery method combines synchronous and asynchronous online classes, catering to diverse learning preferences. This adaptability is beneficial for professionals seeking to balance the demands of their current roles while pursuing advanced education. The Fast Track begins each fall.

EXECUTIVE MBA

The Villanova Executive MBA (EMBA), rooted in our cutting-edge curriculum and premier executive coaching, delivers rich and immersive learning experiences designed for today’s leaders. Our 19-month program builds collaborative, creative problem solvers who harness the power of business to navigate uncertainty and complexity and shape the future. Renowned faculty and a cutting-edge curriculum transform students’ ability to tackle complex business challenges, positioning them for increased leadership opportunities and create positive impact. The program offers students a unique and customized one-on-one opportunity to work directly with a highly skilled and qualified executive coach throughout the duration of their EMBA experience.

AVERAGE STUDENT PROFILE

Age: 37

Professional Experience: 14 years

Management Experience: 10 years

Male: 54% / Female: 46%

CURRICULUM CONTENT STREAMS

• Strategic Leadership

• Quantitative Decision-Making

• Innovation and Creativity

• International Business

• Professional Development

EVERY THIRD WEEKEND

We pace our 19-month program to fit your life but also to give you time to absorb what you learn without losing any momentum.

FORWARD-LOOKING AND PRAGMATIC

Our curriculum pushes students to envision the future of business while developing the agility and resourcefulness to build it.

LEADERSHIP ON YOUR TERMS

We use executive coaching that emphasizes individual strengths over competition to ensure you achieve your leadership potential.

100%

EMBA graduates felt their experience prepared them for the next steps in their career and life and said their experience strengthened their commitment to pursue lifelong learning.

Source: 2022 Executive MBA Student Exit Survey

INDUSTRIES REPRESENTED

Consulting Consumer Products

Financial Services

Healthcare

Hospitality Manufacturing

Non-Profit / Government

Retail Media Technology

The Villanova Executive MBA is a learning experience that cultivates 21st-century leaders. You will learn more than just business acumen, you will learn to lead with empathy, dissect situations, and develop solutions in a team setting. The program is a growth experience for your entire self, not just the ‘workplace’ you.

Briana Walsh ’22 EMBA

Beyond the Classroom

Professional development is an essential part of the VSB experience. Graduate students benefit from dedicated career support – but it doesn’t end there. Networking, mentoring, skill development and unique learning opportunities enrich the academic experience with real-world perspective from the VSB alumni community and industry professionals.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

The Victoria and Justin Gmelich ’90 Lab for Financial Markets is a state-of-the art facility where students and faculty can study and research in an environment parallel to a Wall Street trading floor with greater exposure to real estate, analytics, management information systems and other fields. The Wildcat Fund and Real Estate Society—student-run organizations that actively manage a portfolio of equity and fixed-income securities and a real estate investment fund— are among the many groups that use the lab extensively to obtain real-world experience.

Davis Fund for Student Experiences

This fund provides financial support for students to participate in unique and exceptional learning experiences. Thanks to the generosity of Jim C. Davis ’81 VSB and Kim Davis, the Davis Fund makes grants to applicants who engage in opportunities to enhance their VSB education in exceptional ways.

This may include conferences, research, independent study, case competitions, nonprofit service, global opportunities or something truly different.

VSB Mentor Program

The VSB Mentor Program brings Villanova students and alumni volunteers together in one-onone mentoring relationships to support students’ professional development.

Alumni mentors provide industry insights and share their knowledge and experience. Mentees gain a trusted advisor and role model to support them in decision-making, navigating professional growth opportunities and advancing their careers. Mentoring pairs work together through graduation and beyond.

43,000+

VSB Alumni Making a Difference Around the World

VSB is a dynamic and evolving environment characterized by a world-class, committed faculty; an energized student body; and an engaged alumni base consistently bringing meaningful change in countries and companies around the world.

The Villanova Network

At VSB, students and alumni share a desire to connect and help each other. Sharing unique career paths and job opportunities, offering personalized mentorship support and exchanging business tips and ideas – there’s no limit to the passion VSB alums have for engaging and supporting our graduate students.

Villanova Women’s Professional Network

VSB is committed to supporting women in business, advancing their careers and helping them reach their full potential. We support organizations including the Villanova Women’s Professional Network, Women in Business Society, the Women in Finance Society and the Women’s MBA Network. VSB has also launched a women’s alumni engagement program to extend support beyond graduation.

VU Women in Tech

VSB supports VU Women in Tech, which seeks to bring together students, faculty, staff and alumnae who are leading and innovating with technology across Villanova’s campus and alumnae base. It serves as a platform for women in our community to share experiences, highlight opportunities for women in technology, and motivate those who hesitate. Its annual summit allows women to imagine a technology-based career; share successes and failures; and network across schools, disciplines and generations.

The Villanova School of Business (VSB) is a premier educational institution that offers graduate and executive programs, as well as undergraduate education. VSB is known for academic rigor; creativity and innovation; hands-on and service learning opportunities; a firm grounding in ethics; and an applied education that prepares students to become outstanding leaders and global citizens.

Developing business leaders for a better world.®

800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085 / 610.519.4336 gradbusiness.villanova.edu gradbusinessinfo@villanova.edu