Siena’s School of Business designs its academic programs to put students first while responding to the evolving needs of industry.
To that end, Siena has revised and updated its Master of Business Administration (MBA) program to be more flexible and personalized, now with a fully online option. In the spring, a new four-course Advanced Certificate in Business Transformation with AI will be introduced.
Rashmi Assudani, Ph.D., dean of the School of Business, said faculty have worked for several months on the new academic offerings.
“The industry is evolving rapidly, and academia has a responsibility to thoughtfully embrace these changes and, in some cases, to anticipate and proactively shape how and what we teach our students,” said Assudani. “Our commitment remains unchanged: to be student-centered, faculty-driven, and responsive to industry and community needs. Our curriculum and programs aim to prepare our students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives they need to become effective contributors to the economy and the regions we serve.”
The revised MBA features online, hybrid and in-person options. It can be completed in as few as 36 credits and 12 months, full time. In-person classes are held in the early evenings to accommodate working professionals, while many of the online classes will be conducted live, with real-time interaction among student and instructors. Asynchronous classes will also feature some faculty-student connection.
“The streamlined program now consists of core courses designed to expose students to the primary and supporting business functions, while the remaining elective courses can be bundled in ways to support each student’s specific career goals,” said Jessica Salmon, Ph.D., associate professor of management and director of the MBA program. “In a new development, students can use four of those elective courses to add an advanced certificate and complete two graduate-level credentials.”
Salmon shared that offering online courses – both live and asynchronous, in addition to the traditional in-person participation option – has been an exciting opportunity to further Siena’s reach in developing compassionate business leaders.
“In all of our courses, our students are trained under a Franciscan heritage to make business decisions that are both ethical and data-informed,” she said. “Our alumni have been making a positive impact on business outcomes and we look forward to training and supporting a broader community.”
The new fully-online Advanced Certificate in Business Transformation with AI will prepare professionals to help organizations adopt artificial intelligence responsibly, strategically, and effectively. It bridges the gap between AI technology and business value, equipping graduates to identify opportunities, evaluate solutions, and lead AI-enabled transformation.
Necip Doganaksoy, Ph.D., professor and director of the master of science in business analytics program, said the new certificate is designed for working professionals, managers, and career changers who want to turn the potential of AI into meaningful business value.
“The program prepares them to bridge the gap between emerging AI technologies and practical business applications, identify opportunities, and lead AI-driven organizational change. We emphasize a human-centered approach in which AI enhances human capabilities, supports better decision-making, and is adopted responsibly and ethically.”
A Master of Science in Digital Marketing and Marketing Communications has been approved by the New York State Education Department, with a launch tentatively planned for fall 2027.