Ithaca College

What you'll study

This programme builds a broad foundation in business fundamentals before focusing on management and operations. You take core courses in accounting, finance, marketing and business law alongside specialised modules that cover operations strategy, supply chain management, project management and organisational behaviour.

• Core business subjects: Financial and managerial accounting, corporate finance, marketing principles, business law and ethics, strategic management.
• Management and operations modules: Operations management, supply chain and logistics, quality management, project management, process improvement, service operations.
• Quantitative and analytical skills: Business statistics, data analysis for managers, operations research, decision models and use of relevant software tools.
• Capstone and experiential learning: Team-based consulting projects with real clients, an experiential capstone in operations strategy, and a required internship or cooperative placement.
• Electives and breadth: Options to study entrepreneurship, human resource management, sustainability in operations, international business and electives from other departments to tailor your pathway.

Programme structure typically combines general education requirements, a set of core business courses, concentration-specific classes, electives and experiential elements such as internships and a capstone project. Class sizes are generally small to enable close interaction with faculty and applied project work.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a high school diploma or recognised secondary-school qualification. Successful candidates normally present a competitive academic record with strong performance in quantitative courses such as mathematics. Typical application materials include official transcripts, a personal statement or essay, and at least one letter of recommendation.

Standardised test policies may be flexible; applicants should check the college's current guidance to see whether SAT or ACT scores are optional or recommended. Transfer applicants are considered and may receive credit for previous college-level coursework.

International applicants must provide evidence of secondary credentials equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma and demonstrate English language proficiency through tests such as TOEFL or IELTS unless exempted. Additional requirements may apply for international credential evaluation and visa documentation.

Career prospects

Graduates with a concentration in Management and Operations enter a wide range of roles across industries. Common entry-level positions include operations analyst, supply chain coordinator, production supervisor, project coordinator, management trainee and business analyst. Employers include manufacturing firms, retailers, logistics providers, healthcare organisations, consulting firms and service companies.

With experience, alumni progress to roles in operations management, supply chain leadership, process improvement and programme management. The degree also provides a strong foundation for graduate study such as an MBA or specialised master’s in supply chain, operations research or business analytics. The programme’s emphasis on internships and applied projects helps students build industry contacts and practical experience valued by employers.

Why study at Ithaca College

Ithaca College offers a personalised learning environment with small class sizes, close faculty mentoring and an emphasis on experiential education. The college supports applied learning through internships, client-based projects and community partnerships in the Finger Lakes region and beyond.

Students benefit from career services focused on business placements, active student organisations related to entrepreneurship and professional development, and opportunities to combine business studies with minors or electives across the college. The campus setting and industry connections provide a practical platform for launching careers in management and operations or continuing to advanced study.