Designed exclusively for Binghamton University students in the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, the Harpur/STEM MBA 4+1 program is compatible with most Harpur undergraduate majors, and allows students to complete their first year of MBA coursework during their senior year.
The program option allows you to earn an undergraduate degree and an MBA from Binghamton University in only five years, saving you one year of graduate tuition.
Program Highlights:
- Apply as a junior and begin taking graduate courses during your senior year
- Increase your marketability and earning potential
- Save time and money on your path to earning a graduate degree
- No prerequisite coursework required
- Customize your curriculum or declare a concentration in Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Management Information Systems and Leadership/Consulting. Learn more about our elective course offerings here.
Whether you're an economics major looking to break into the world of finance, a math student looking to dive into business analytics, or an English or psychology major who has what it takes for a career in marketing, there are several benefits associated with applying your Harpur education towards a possible career path in management.
Admissions
How does it work?
Admission to this program allows you to take the first year of MBA coursework in your senior year with those credit hours counting towards fulfilling your Harpur upper-level electives. At the end of your senior year, you graduate from Harpur College with your bachelor's degree and proceed into the second year of the MBA program as an official graduate student.
During years 1-3 students complete 94 liberal arts credits, which include Harpur College division, upper-level and writing requirements, departmental major requirements and general education requirements. Students reserve all "free" upper-level electives for senior year, which consists of the first year MBA coursework.
The Harpur/STEM MBA 4+1 program requires a two-step admissions process: conditional admission to the 4+1 program in your junior year, and formal admission to the Graduate School during your senior year.
All Harpur majors are eligible to apply for the 4+1 program except:
- Art (BA)
- Music (MusB)
Conditional Admission to 4+1 Program
You must apply for conditional admission during the spring of your junior year. The deadline is March 15. If offered conditional admission, you will be able to register for MBA courses during your senior year (also referred to the "transitional year" below), which will be considered as your upper-level Harpur requirements.
When applying, you must submit the following materials using the application form at the link below. Please reach out to to Molly Pianella (mpianella@binghamton.edu) with any questions:
- Copy of GMAT or GRE scores (Please note: While we accept GMAT and GRE scores for consideration, they are not required for our MBA program)
- Personal statement describing why you are interested in pursuing the MBA
- Current resume
- Unofficial transcript from BU Brain
- Two letters of recommendations (these can be from employers, professors or instructors). These can be sent directly to Molly Pianella at mpianella@binghamton.edu
How to apply
Apply through my.binghamton portal and click 4+1 Intent Application.
Students admitted into this program option typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or higher. Applicants with significant work experience and/or strong GMAT/GRE scores (while not required) are also considered for admission.
Formal Admission to the Graduate School
During the spring of your senior year (88+ undergraduate credits), you will formally apply to the Graduate School. Check with your department to find out if there are any special deadlines for accelerated degree program applicants. When applying, choose the "Accelerated Graduate Degree Application for Admission" option, which is located in the "Home" tab on your application through BU Brain.
Formal admission into the program is dependent on maintaining a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 of higher throughout your undergraduate coursework and a minimum of a 3.25 GPA throughout your MBA coursework during your senior year, with no grades less than a C.
Application decisions will be made after the posting of your spring grades at the end of your senior year.
Learn more about the admissions process to formally apply for an accelerated degree at the Graduate School.
Course Curriculum: Harpur/STEM MBA 4+1 program
1st-3rd Years (Harpur Academic Requirements)
You can begin preparing for the Harpur/MBA 4+1 program as early as your freshman year. All Harpur College students must complete 126 total credits by the end of their fourth year. To be eligible for the Harpur/MBA 4+1 program, all students must complete a minimum of 94 credits by the end of their junior year, which includes:
- Undergraduate major requirements
- Harpur College requirements (upper level, writing and residency requirements)
- General Education requirements
- Students who matriculated prior to summer 2021: 90 Liberal Arts and Sciences credits
- Students who matriculated summer 2021 or later: 94 Liberal Arts and Sciences credits
Visit the Harpur Advising website, or speak with your academic advisor to learn more about which majors are eligible, along with your program's curriculum requirements.
Concentrations: To complete a concentration, a minimum of four courses (sixteen credit hours) is required. Concentrations are optional. Learn more about our elective course offerings here.
4th Year (Senior/Transition Year)
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| MGMT 501: Accounting for Managers (fall only) | ECON 160: Microeconomics |
| MATH 147/148 or PSYCH 243: Statistics | MGMT 500: Management Information Systems (spring only) |
| MGMT 505: Corporate Finance (fall only) | MGMT 506: Marketing for Managers |
| MGMT 508: Organizational Behavior (fall only) | MGMT 507: Operations Management |
5th Year (Graduate Status)
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| MGMT 504: Programming for Business Analytics (fall only) | MGMT 540: Strategic Management (spring only) |
| Elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
Note: Of the six total graduate level electives, three must be technical electives.
Contact somgrad@binghamton.edu or call (607) 777-4696 with general questions. You can also contact:
Molly Pianella
Director, SOM Master's Program Admissions and Student Services
School of Management
Caroline Fuller
Advisor, SOM Master's Program
School of Management
One-Year STEM MBA Option
Harpur students may also be eligible for our One-Year STEM MBA program option, which allows students without an undergraduate degree in business to earn an MBA in only one calendar year.
Prerequisite coursework in microeconomics and statistics is required.
Interested in accounting?
The School of Management has a pathway available for Harpur students interested in pursuing a Master of Science in Accounting, allowing them to begin coursework during the senior/final year of undergrad. Please reach out to SOM Graduate Advising at somgrad@binghamton.edu to learn more.
