Dean's Welcome

Thank you for your interest in our School of Management.

If you earn your degree at Boston University School of Management, you’ll undoubtedly benefit from our high rankings—The Financial Times has named BU the # 1 MBA program in the U.S. for alumni career progress, twice in the past four years. Yet, I encourage you to look beyond rankings for a moment. Instead, study what the School stands for, because what you’ll get as a student here surpasses imagery:

• Learning both the science and the art of management from a world-class faculty
• The global scope of one of the country’s most international universities
• Location at the heart of Boston, a leading center of high-technology research & entrepreneurship
• A rigorous curriculum fusing the art, science, and technology of business

At Boston University School of Management, our greatest distinction arises from this fusing of the art, science, and technology of business, a comprehensive approach essential for effective organizational leadership.

The Science of Business

Business schools have long focused on “management science”—the quantitative disciplines of finance, accounting, statistics, operations, etc. Businesses use these quantitative tools for decision making and management “control”—as in establishing budgets and assigning performance objectives. Such controls are essential but far from sufficient. What’s missing is an understanding of the limitations of the measurement systems, namely “the art of business.” This is an area difficult to teach—and historically under-addressed by business schools—and yet it’s vitally important for effective organizational leadership.

The Art of Business

Contemporary business leaders must have an ability to think beyond the data analyses, to probe potential outcomes not predicted by the numbers. They need to “think horizontally” across an organization, anticipating consequences and using informed intuition in combination with rigorous quantitative analysis. They must have a “feel” for a business, well-honed interpersonal skills, and an ability to envision possibilities—all part of the “art” of business integrated in all our curricula.

In organizations, when individuals are measured and rewarded on personal functional performance, they have little incentive to prioritize team results. Business schools have always engaged students in “teams.” But, like many corporate teams, they’ve been simply “groups.” Unless group members have a measurable, personal stake in each other’s success, they’re not a team. As part of our training in the art of business, members of our student teams have a clear, measurable stake in each other’s learning (because individual grades are affected). Helped by the GE Foundation over a decade ago, our School of Management created the Center for Team Learning as a resource for students and faculty. One corporate recruiter observed, “your faculty has made a science of the art of teaming.”

The Technology of Business

Technology is changing how business is conducted as profoundly as did the industrial revolution. Students at Boston University School of Management study with our world-class Information Systems faculty—ranked #2 in the world by Financial Times. In addition, the School offers a one-of-a-kind MBA experience known as the MS-MBA. (Approximately half of our full time MBA students are enrolled in the MS-MBA program.) This intensive program trains aspiring CEOs and entrepreneurs by combining a full, uncompromised MBA program with a Master of Science degree in Information Systems. We think of it as the next-generation MBA program.

Summary

The role of business builders and leaders is, in the final analysis, to improve the lives of others. Effectively led organizations are a boon to their communities and, by extension, to the world. At Boston University School of Management, we take very seriously our responsibility to train and educate leaders who will beneficially impact all those touched by their work. We do that through a unique and demanding curriculum.

And we do it in the heart of Boston, one of the world’s hubs of entrepreneurship and technical innovation. Boston University itself is globally-focused, with a dynamic international student body.

These are the invaluable advantages afforded by an education at Boston University School of Management. We welcome you to visit and learn more.

Wishing you all the best,

Louis E. Lataif
Allen Questrom Professor and Dean
Boston University School of Management

Read more about Dean Lou Lataif