STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT APPROVES AND REGISTERS MBA PROGRAM AT SUNY NEW PALTZ

NEW PALTZ — SUNY New Paltz has received approval and registration from the State Education Department (SED) to offer a Master of Business Administration (MBA). SUNY New Paltz is the only public institution between Albany and New York City to offer the MBA. The University will begin to offer the program in January 2000. It was approved by the SUNY Board of Trustees at their September 22 meeting.

SUNY New Paltz president Roger W. Bowen said, “The MBA will empower New Paltz to have the same positive impact in the economic arena that it has enjoyed for so long in providing school teachers to the state and nation. I am very grateful to the SUNY Trustees and the State Board of Regents for the confidence they have expressed in the campus by permitting us to offer this prestigious degree. Students and employers will benefit enormously from the infusion of sophisticated business expertise which this will produce for the region.”

“SUNY New Paltz strives to provide graduate programs that can advance the careers of residents of our region,” noted David Lavallee, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “The new MBA program will not only fulfill this important mission but will help expand our local economy as well.”

State Assemblyman Kevin Cahill said, “I am extremely pleased that the State Education Department has recognized the need for outstanding master’s curriculum in business administration at SUNY New Paltz. Our potential for further economic development is enhanced with the availability of this program. I am certain that many people in our community will take advantage of this educational opportunity, and I was pleased to work closely with President Roger Bowen and the dedicated SUNY educators, especially Dr. Hadi Salavitabar, to make this degree program a reality.”

The New Paltz MBA degree is a 36-57 credits program. The degree includes 21 credits of foundation courses that can be waived for those who have educational background in the area of business, 21 credits of core courses, nine credits of concentration requirements, and 6 credits of electives.

“We have already received a large number of inquiries and applications for our MBA program,” said Hadi Salavitabar, Director of the university’s business programs. “For years we have had numerous inquiries from individuals throughout the Hudson Valley and Connecticut, hoping such an offering would soon be available. A number of these students have enrolled in our master of science in business program. I am very delighted for our students and the community that we now can offer such a quality program at an affordable price in the Mid-Hudson area.”

“The MBA will be one of the university’s most flexible offerings,” said Salavitabar. “It will be tailored for both full and part-time students. It is our plan to offer both a weekend MBA and an evening MBA. We also plan to offer an executive MBA at an off-campus location.”

Salavitabar went on to state that “the SUNY New Paltz business program has a dedicated full-time faculty that is comprised of experienced educators, holding doctoral degrees, professional certifications and expertise in one or more areas of specialization. The faculty’s on-going relationship with industry and businesses brings the complex realities of business into the classroom.”

Taylor Thompson, Chairman of the SUNY New Paltz Business Advisory Council, stated, “We are very pleased that the State Board of Education has approved the new MBA so that we may move forward rapidly to satisfy the need for MBA graduates in the Hudson Valley.” The Council is ready with eighteen experienced Directors and four operating committees to provide Hadi Salavitabar with vital information and contacts with the business community.”SUNY New Paltz is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The Business Program is seeking additional accreditation from AACSB – The International Association for Management Education. To date, only about 330 schools world-wide hold this valuable credential. Committed to achieving this goal, the university has successfully been approaching the end of second year in the candidacy process.

Prospective students may contact the Department of Business Administration at (845) 257-2930 or e-mail: businessprograms@newpaltz.edu for further information and/or registration in the program.