Clarkson University’s Reh School of Business

What You Need To Know About The Clarkson MBA

Since graduating its first class in 1976, Clarkson has invited both business and non-business students to join their innovative and entrepreneurial MBA program. Clarkson’s MBA focuses on real world practical application of business knowledge, building leaders with a strong emphasis on work ethic, and upward mobility as described in their founder’s motto: “A workman who needeth not to be ashamed.”

Clarkson’s main campus is in the town of Potsdam, nestled between the Adirondack Mountains and the St. Lawrence Seaway in northern New York. The area is renowned for its beautiful fall foliage and wide variety of year-round sporting opportunities including vast nature trails and activities such as, snowshoeing, skiing, and canoeing.

“What I love most about the Reh MBA program is the sense of community it fosters,” says Joshua LaFave, Director of Graduate Business Programs. “An MBA is about more than the skills and experience you gain. It’s the people you meet, the networks you build, and the connections that will stay with you after you graduate. Clarkson does everything we can to foster that community, from student community engagement across programs to our regular alumni events and career services. Fortune 500 companies know to come to Clarkson because our alumni work there now.”

Clarkson University’s 1-year MBA is a fast-paced 9-month program, designed to be completed as quickly as possible, or on 12, 18, or 24-month calendars as fits students’ needs. In total, the program is 14 classes or 38 credits, and the approximate incoming class size is typically around 35.

The curriculum was designed to cover every aspect of business management, preparing students from business, engineering, or other backgrounds to manage and lead the complex interlocking parts of a modern company. Ten core business-based courses are broken up into two 7-week segments in the first semester. The remaining four elective courses and capstone course are taken in the spring. Tracks are available in Entrepreneurship, Supply Chain Management, Environmental Management, and Data Analytics.

Prospective students can expect to submit transcripts from all institutions attended, GMAT/GRE scores or an equivalent exam, a resume or C.V., a brief statement of purpose essay, and 3 letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources. Clarkson also has an international experience for all students enrolled in the MBA program. Students can choose between a number of two-week experiences typically over spring break or a full semester abroad.