The new program establishes a dual MS Biotechnology and MBA degree for Syracuse University on behalf of its College of Arts & Sciences and Whitman School of Management.  The program will aid in attracting high quality masters students to enter or remain at Syracuse University, in order to pursue further study at the intersection of business and biotechnology/life sciences.

Students in the dual program will complete the programmatic requirements from both colleges to maintain the standards required by NYSED and Whitman’s accrediting body, AACSB. This program is designated as a partnership between the College of Arts & Sciences/Biology and Whitman. Biology and Whitman leadership and faculty have worked to create a program that combines overlapping requirements related to Entrepreneurship and Ethics as well as elective courses (including internship-based elective credits) that are relevant for both programs. Students can double count up to 20% of the required credits for each degree. Reducing these overlaps (with 13.5 credits already identified) allows both the MS and MBA programs to be completed within 2.5 years, including one summer. Students enrolled in this dual program will graduate with both degrees from the College of Arts & Sciences and the Whitman School of Management, respectively.

There is increasing demand for students with multidisciplinary backgrounds who have a strong understanding of biotechnology and sciences and with the business acumen to analyze situations and make managerial decisions about those issues. This supports the trajectory of students pursuing career pathways related to STEM and business. Having a dual degree of an MS Biotechnology and a Master’s of Business Administration helps prepare students for careers in new product development, R&D, scientist-manager, business development, biotech sales, or as an entrepreneur. 

Arts & Sciences Contact: Kate Lewis, Professor and Department Chair

Whitman Contact: Alex McKelvie, Interim Dean