University of Rochester

What you'll study

The programme combines core business foundations with specialised study in management and operations. You will build quantitative skills in statistics, optimisation and data analysis alongside courses in accounting, finance and marketing to ensure a broad managerial perspective. Typical modules and themes include:

• Core business foundations — financial and managerial accounting, corporate finance, marketing fundamentals and business law.
• Management and organisational behaviour — leadership, organisational design, human resource management and negotiation.
• Operations and supply chain — operations management, supply chain strategy, process improvement (Lean/Six Sigma concepts), inventory and logistics management.
• Quantitative and analytical methods — statistics for business, data analysis, optimisation and decision models, forecasting and simulation.
• Business analytics and information systems — data visualisation, databases, programming for analytics and applications of analytics to operational problems.
• Strategy and capstone — competitive strategy, operations strategy and an integrative capstone or project that applies tools to real organisational problems.

Students typically complete a mixture of lectures, case studies and project-based work. The programme encourages experiential learning through team projects, internships and partnerships with local and regional employers. Electives and cross-disciplinary options allow students to combine operations expertise with fields such as economics, computer science, engineering or entrepreneurship.

Entry requirements

Successful applicants demonstrate a strong academic record with particular strength in quantitative subjects. Typical expectations include:

• A competitive high-school diploma or equivalent with solid grades in mathematics; coursework in economics, statistics or computer science is advantageous.
• Evidence of analytical ability shown through coursework, test scores or equivalent qualifications.
• Supportive letters of recommendation and a personal statement that outline motivation for studying business and experience working in teams or on projects.
• Some applicants strengthen their application with relevant extracurriculars such as business clubs, internships, volunteer roles or small entrepreneurial ventures.

Applications are considered holistically; meeting minimum academic standards does not guarantee admission. International applicants should demonstrate English language proficiency according to the university’s published requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles that require both managerial judgement and quantitative rigour. Common entry-level positions include operations analyst, supply chain analyst, business analyst, project coordinator and management trainee. With experience, alumni move into roles such as operations manager, supply chain manager, management consultant, product operations lead and senior analytical roles that shape process and strategy.

The combination of operations expertise and analytics also provides a strong foundation for careers in logistics, manufacturing, healthcare operations, retail operations, and technology firms. Many graduates pursue further study, including specialised master’s degrees in business analytics, supply chain management or an MBA.

Why study at University of Rochester

The University of Rochester’s approach emphasises rigorous analytics and interdisciplinary learning, making it suitable for students who want a quantitative edge in business. Students benefit from a close-knit undergraduate environment, opportunities for faculty-led research and access to experiential learning through internships and corporate partnerships in the region.

Collaboration across departments enables students to pair operations training with courses in data science, economics or engineering. Career services and alumni networks support recruitment into internships and graduate roles, while small-class formats and project-based courses provide frequent interaction with faculty and practical, hands-on experience.