Sevin Yeltekin, Dean, Professor of Business and Economics, Simon Business School-University of Rochester

Simon Business School, established approximately 70 years ago, is a comprehensive business school serving a diverse range of students and professionals. We offer a variety of programs, including a full-time MBA program, as well as executive and professional MBA programs designed for working professionals. Additionally, we have specialized master’s programs in areas such as finance, marketing, analytics, business analytics, artificial intelligence in business, and accountancy. We also provide part-time specialized master’s programs in fields like medical management and business analytics with AI.

Our academic offerings extend to a robust PhD program, supporting about 50 students annually, and an undergraduate business program in collaboration with our colleagues in the arts and sciences. Simon is a fully accredited institution, deeply rooted in research, with a faculty comprising approximately 75 full-time and 25 part-time members. The majority of our full-time faculty are research-focused, and we take a management science approach to business education, emphasizing analytics and economics. Simon Business School is proud to host the largest group of master’s students on the University of Rochester campus.

It’s also worth noting that Rochester, located in upstate New York, is a wonderful place to live. The city offers an affordable cost of living, beautiful summers, and accessible amenities that contribute to a tight-knit and welcoming community, ideal for both professional and personal growth.

Our success lies in our research-driven approach, underpinned by analytics and economics. Rather than focusing solely on specific job functions such as marketing or operations, we equip students with foundational knowledge on how markets operate, how incentive structures are created, and how data can be leveraged for predictive insights and strategic design. These timeless, industry-agnostic skills enable our graduates to adapt seamlessly across various industries and roles.

Our curriculum is highly innovative and consistently refreshed to remain cutting-edge. For instance, over the past 18 months, we’ve integrated artificial intelligence into much of our coursework, ensuring our students are proficient in leveraging this transformative technology. Simon was also the first business school to certify its entire MBA and subsequent specialized master’s programs as STEM-designated. This forward-thinking approach has set a benchmark for other leading institutions. Innovation, agility, and an entrepreneurial spirit define our identity.

Our full-time MBA program admits approximately 100 students per year, creating a close-knit cohort of around 200 students across two years. This diverse group represents a range of demographics, socioeconomic backgrounds, and prior professional experiences.

The program emphasizes building a robust foundation in economics and analytics while allowing students to specialize in areas such as finance, marketing, strategy, and entrepreneurship. Students enhance their learning through internships, experiential opportunities such as global immersions and U.S.-based tracks, and projects with corporate partners. The program fosters a supportive community that encourages both professional and personal development.

Our executive MBA (EMBA) and professional MBA (PMBA) programs cater to working professionals. The EMBA is designed for individuals with around 10 years of experience who are preparing to take on senior management or C-suite roles. We also offer an international EMBA program in partnership with the University of Bern, allowing students to study in Switzerland and spend a month at our Rochester campus.

The PMBA program, by contrast, is more localized and cohort-based, conducted in-person during evenings or weekends to accommodate busy schedules. Both programs emphasize flexibility while fostering networking opportunities that are critical to MBA success.

In addition, we provide specialized master’s programs such as the Master’s in Medical Management for healthcare professionals and a one-year intensive program in business analytics and artificial intelligence. These programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of their respective fields.

Our faculty are highly accessible and deeply invested in teaching and mentoring. They bring either extensive industry experience or cutting-edge research into the classroom, ensuring that our students receive the most relevant and current knowledge. Many of our faculty members are leaders in research fields such as corporate finance, investments, strategy, accounting, and marketing analytics.

Rather than relying solely on traditional textbooks, classes incorporate the latest research, providing students with an engaging and dynamic learning experience. This approach equips our graduates with insights that are not only academically rigorous but also practically applicable.

The core message is that Simon Business School prepares students to thrive in an unpredictable future through an education deeply rooted in analytics, economics, and research. Our emphasis on foundational skills—understanding markets, analyzing data, and solving complex problems—combined with a supportive, innovative community, creates an environment that fosters both professional achievement and lifelong connections.

Over the next two to three years, we aim to become the institution of choice for individuals who are both intellectually curious and professionally ambitious. Whether through full-degree programs or certificate offerings, Simon will continue to be recognized as an innovative, community-oriented institution with exceptional student support at its core.