New UB School of Management bachelor’s degree blends tech and business

By Matthew Biddle

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Starting this fall, the University at Buffalo School of Management will offer an innovative Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Management to arm students with the business and technical skills that companies are demanding in the digital age.

The program is one of only a few nationally—and the only undergraduate program in the State University of New York (SUNY) system—with a strong focus on both management competencies and information technology (IT).

The curriculum was designed with input from alumni, recruiters and industry executives, and includes courses in cybersecurity, big data, telecommunications, IT project management, systems analysis and design, and database management.

Students will learn to solve business problems and leverage technology to deliver results for an organization. In addition, they will develop the soft skills to communicate effectively, collaborate productively and lead a team.

“In the School of Management, we continuously evaluate our programs to ensure we’re providing our students with the latest in management knowledge and experiences,” says Paul Tesluk, dean of the UB School of Management. “Our new bachelor’s degree will equip our graduates with the skills to use emerging technologies, analyze data and lead in any industry or area they choose.”

As demand soars for tech-related roles—particularly in software development, computer systems analysis and cybersecurity—the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects opportunities in this sector will grow by more than 500,000 jobs by 2026.

“This would have been my major if it existed when I was at UB,” says Stephen Cross, BS ’99, PMBA ’06, vice president and chief information officer at Merchants Insurance Group. “The new degree will give students the technical and business foundations to excel in key IT roles, and provide employers in multiple industries with qualified candidates to fill open systems, testing, security and other analyst positions.”

For more information on the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information Technology and Management program, visit management.buffalo.edu/bsitm.

Accredited by the prestigious AACSB International, the UB School of Management also offers undergraduate degree programs in business administration and accounting. In addition, this fall, the school will launch three 4+1 combined BS and Master of Science (MS) programs to provide a seamless, time-efficient way for students to earn both degrees. The 4+1 programs lead to a BS and MS in accounting; a BS in business administration and MS in finance; and a BS in business administration and MS in management information systems.