Hofstra University’s Frank G. Zarb School of Business Online MBA Program

Hofstra University, a private institution in Hempstead, New York, takes a highly hands-on approach to online graduate business education. While many online MBA students nationwide never visit their campus, those in the Frank G. Zarb School of Business Online MBA program begin and end their journey in person. Each cohort participates in two mandatory two-day on-campus residencies, one at orientation and one at the conclusion of the program, with additional optional one-day residencies available at the start of each semester.

“The residencies foster a genuine connection to the Zarb School’s physical resources and community, emphasizing that we are much more than just a virtual business school,” says Dr. Kaushik Sengupta, director of the online MBA program. Students can also choose to participate in a global practicum, a 10-day international immersion integrated into the capstone course. These experiences include hands-on Strategy Consulting projects with companies abroad and direct interactions with senior executives, often at the C-suite level. Past cohorts have traveled to Brazil, Argentina, Dubai, India, Japan, Singapore, and various locations across Europe.

Launched in 2011, the online MBA admits new cohorts each January and September. Students select concentrations in Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Strategic Business Management, and Strategic Healthcare Management. For those seeking to expand their expertise, hybrid options enable students to add extra specializations, and many do, developing broader skill sets to remain competitive in the marketplace.

“Our typical student is a mid- to senior-level professional with an average of 12 years of experience,” says Sengupta. “We also draw a strong…

Hofstra University, a private institution in Hempstead, New York, takes a highly hands-on approach to online graduate business education. While many online MBA students nationwide never visit their campus, those in the Frank G. Zarb School of Business Online MBA program begin and end their journey in person. Each cohort participates in two mandatory two-day on-campus residencies, one at orientation and one at the conclusion of the program, with additional optional one-day residencies available at the start of each semester.

“The residencies foster a genuine connection to the Zarb School’s physical resources and community, emphasizing that we are much more than just a virtual business school,” says Dr. Kaushik Sengupta, director of the online MBA program. Students can also choose to participate in a global practicum, a 10-day international immersion integrated into the capstone course. These experiences include hands-on Strategy Consulting projects with companies abroad and direct interactions with senior executives, often at the C-suite level. Past cohorts have traveled to Brazil, Argentina, Dubai, India, Japan, Singapore, and various locations across Europe.

Launched in 2011, the online MBA admits new cohorts each January and September. Students select concentrations in Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Strategic Business Management, and Strategic Healthcare Management. For those seeking to expand their expertise, hybrid options enable students to add extra specializations, and many do, developing broader skill sets to remain competitive in the marketplace.

“Our typical student is a mid- to senior-level professional with an average of 12 years of experience,” says Sengupta. “We also draw a strong population from the healthcare sector, including physicians, nurses, and administrators.” Small classes, capped at 35 students, and a cohort structure support deeper collaboration and long-term networking. Students can complete the program in 16 months full-time, or in a flexible part-time format that extends up to 60 months; most students finish in 16 to 28 months.

Career support is another key aspect of the Zarb experience. The Graduate Business Career Relations team, housed in the Zarb School, provides resume reviews, mock interviews, one-on-one coaching, employer events, executive speakers, career webinars, and corporate site visits. Students also complete a Career Leadership Assessment, combined with personalized executive coaching, a significant feature designed to enhance professional growth. To ensure the curriculum stays aligned with industry needs, alumni participate on departmental advisory boards and frequently meet with incoming cohorts during orientation.