Shields School of Business in Schwab Hall

Saint Francis University

Shields School of Business

Preparing ethical leaders for careers in finance, accounting, management, analytics, marketing, communications, criminal justice, and more.

Focused on Values-Based Leadership

The Shields School of Business

The Shields School of Business offers high-caliber, professional education blended with an integrated liberal arts foundation, all grounded in Franciscan ethics and values.

 

Located in Schwab Hall, you’ll find our business school’s culture is dynamic, engaging, relationship-oriented, and focused on learning by doing. We believe that professional education should not be limited to what takes place in the classroom and what is written in textbooks. Education needs to be “experienced” in a much deeper and more realistic manner inside and outside the traditional classroom. Our leaders today are destined to become the leaders of tomorrow!

College of Distinction business banner

Degree Programs in the Shields School of Business

With accredited undergraduate, graduate, and online degrees, the Shields School of Business affords your every opportunity to obtain a high-caliber, student-centric, and values-based business education. Dedicated faculty, staff, and accomplished alumni will mentor you every step of the way, preparing you for careers in finance, accounting, management, analytics, marketing, communications, criminal justice, and more.

Business

Choose your Program

High-caliber, professional education blended with an integrated liberal arts foundation, all grounded in Franciscan values.

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FACULTY

A personalized approach to learning and leading

The Shields School of Business faculty provide an advantageous mix of accomplished practitioners and academicians experienced in teaching adult learners. They teach subjects within their areas of professional expertise and represent the best blend of theoretical and practical knowledge appropriate to professional graduate education. Guest speakers and site visits augment the instruction in several courses to enrich the value of the program. 


 

Dr. Randy Frye
Dean, School of Business

814.472.3041
Email Dr. Randy Frye

Business students studying data
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

What sets the Shields School of Business apart from the rest?

  • Fast Track: Undergraduate students have the option to complete their masters degree (MBA degree, MHRM degree, Online MBA or Online MHRM) within five years. Double majoring is also possible within four years.
  • Personal Touch: Small class sizes and interactive online tools allow our award-winning faculty to advise each student with care and concern for their success.
  • Out-Of-Classroom Opportunities: Prestigious internships, Spring Break in London, and our nationally-ranked ENACTUS team are just a few of the real-world experiences available to students.
  • Top Notch Facilities: After a multimillion dollar renovation,  Schwab Hall is poised to be a treasured academic facility for generations to come. 

Mission Statement of the Shields School of Business

 

The Saint Francis University School of Business seeks to enable students and graduates to know more, do more, and be more. The School of Business will graduate students who have the knowledge, skills, love of learning, confidence, drive, and ethical and moral values needed to be spiritually fulfilled in life and successful in professional careers. 

 

The scope of our mission is to serve the educational and developmental needs of a broad constituency, from traditional-age students desiring enrollment in undergraduate business programs; to working professionals who desire executive development opportunities that come with the Masters of Business Administration and the Masters of Human Resource Management Programs; to the aspiring entrepreneur who plans to begin a business; and to existing businesses that want to grow, expand, and reach new markets.

An Ancient stone wall hosting a hooded and pious Saint Francis gazing towards heaven. Sparsely garnished conifers glow green in the sunlight.
IACBE logo

 

 

Saint Francis University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), located in Lenexa, Kansas.

 

Accredited Degrees Offered:

List of Accredited Business Degrees at SFU

 

Student Achievement/Career Placement Results:

IACBE Public Disclosure of Student Achievement Form Summary Results 

Blog

Early wins for New AMA chapter at SFU

Tom Schellbach, Communications Major | 03/11/2024
A new chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) at Saint Francis University, established by SFU Marketing students with the assistance of Assistant Professor of Marketing Kim Flanders, is off to a great start.

Leadership Development Series 2023

University Communications & Marketing | 09/28/2023
Altoona workshop series set for business leaders and managers Saint Francis University Shields School of Business & The Francis in the Marketplace Employee Training and Development Institute present the Fall 2023/Winter 2024 Leadership Development Series.   The series consists of four high energy leadership workshops aimed at fueling employee engagement, unleashing workplace productivity, and enabling organizations to attract and retain the best employees. Sessions are open to all managers and leaders who wish to create a more productive and meaningful workplace.  Fall 2023/Winter 2024

Finance alum named among Forbes Top Next-Wealth Advisors

University Communications & Marketing | 08/25/2023
Andrew Krout, a 2013 SFU alumni in Finance, has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors: Best in State for 2023. Andrew is a Wealth Advisor and Co-Chief Investment Officer at DeGroote Financial Group in Boston.

International association names SFU Criminal Justice 'Program of the Year'

Dominique Yeo, SFU Communications Major | 05/02/2023
SFU's Criminal Justice Program has been awarded the 2023 CJ Program of the Year by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) on March 18. The ACJS is an international association established to foster professional and scholarly activities in the field of criminal justice.

Qualities of an Effective Leader

University Communications & Marketing | 04/06/2023
Employers are having a hard time finding leaders who possess the soft skills needed to be successful. Join us as we evaluate eight qualities of an effective leader.

Planning Your HR Career Path: A Guide to Advancement

University Communications & Marketing | 03/23/2023
The competencies required of advanced HR professionals have grown increasingly complex. Join us as we outline what you’ll need to move forward in your HR career path.

Editor & Publisher names SFU alumna on "25 under 35" list

Shields School of Business | 02/24/2023
Editor & Publisher named Saint Francis University Alumna Anna Baughman to it's 2023 list of “25 Under 35” inspired, passionate, and innovative young news media professionals for her work as the editor at Morrisons Cove Herald, Inc. in Martinsburg, PA.

SBDC Success Stories

SBDC | 02/13/2023
From a clothing boutique and BBQ restaurant to a wellness center and hair salon, the SBDC has aided small business owners across the region post-pandemic.

Social Media Strategies Winners Selected

University Communications & Marketing | 12/07/2022
Abby Zambruno and Riley Smith were selected as the winners from Dr. Rhodes' Social Media Strategies course collaboration with University Communications and Marketing.