Why Get An MBA at Point Park University?
Written by Amanda Buchman
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the world’s most popular graduate management degree for a reason. For those striving to become CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders in their field, an MBA can give you a leg up. Several schools in Pittsburgh offer these programs, but Point Park University is the only one rooted downtown, providing a direct connection to the city’s most active business sphere.
Pittsburgh is no stranger to the ever-changing landscape of technology, artificial intelligence, and the workplace. That’s why the industry experts that make up Point Park’s faculty update their curriculum annually, amending their courses to ensure that graduate students gain the skills they need to remain employable and competitive.
Stephen Tanzilli, Dean of the Rowland School of Business at Point Park, believes that business education will always be valuable. “No matter what you do, business is going to intersect,” he said. “I’d argue that business is more important now than ever with how things are going.”
Whether you have a general interest in business or a specific path in mind, the program is designed to help you succeed. Their general MBA program is their most popular choice, providing a broad yet comprehensive scope of business. Students can also pick one of six concentrations, from Health Systems Management to Sports, Arts, Entertainment, and Music Business. These narrow pathways allow you to zero in on your discipline with the guidance of laser-focused faculty.
At Point Park, flexibility is a priority. For adult professionals who wish to obtain a master’s degree, there are options for working around a busy schedule. It is possible to complete the 36-credit MBA degree in as little as eighteen months by taking courses online or on campus, with most courses offered on weeknights. They also offer a fast-track bachelor’s to master’s program and an accelerated MBA program.
Not only does the school support students by helping them manage their course load alongside their other responsibilities, but faculty members also encourage their students to integrate their life outside the classroom with their studies. “We want to make sure that what you learn Monday night is applicable to your job on Tuesday,” said Tanzilli.
He adds that students frequently get to develop work from their jobs into assignments and group projects. “Not only does that add skills to our students' toolbelts, but practical experience into their portfolios and resumes. Our goal is to help students achieve that next step in their careers by the time they walk across the stage with a degree from Point Park.”
Image courtesy of Point Park University.
For Point Park graduates, employment looks promising. Alumni have secured jobs at widely recognized institutions in and around Pittsburgh, including professional sports teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, Riverhounds, and Pirates, the Washington Commanders, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, to name a few.
Tanzilli explained, “Point Park is a foundational member of the Pittsburgh community, so we work hard to maintain strong partnerships with our neighbors.” Their MBA graduates have long benefitted from these relationships with positions at PNC and BNY Mellon as well as healthcare leaders like UPMC, AHN, and Highmark.
If you’re searching for the next step in your career, find community and opportunity at Point Park’s Rowland School of Business. You won’t find experienced professionals who truly care about their students at a more affordable cost, and as a bonus, you might find yourself firmly planted in the heart of Pittsburgh.
