The College of St. Scholastica MBA Program

The College of St. Scholastica, located in Duluth, Minnesota, is an independent private college with a strong tradition of liberal arts education and professional preparation. Founded by the Benedictine Sisters in 1912, the institution has always been committed to combining intellectual rigor with values-based education. Over the decades, St. Scholastica has developed into a recognized leader in higher education, particularly in the Midwest, with programs that emphasize academic quality, ethical leadership, and service to others.

Among its graduate-level offerings, the Master of Business Administration program holds a prominent place. Known for its high quality, the MBA at St. Scholastica is designed for students who want to develop broad knowledge across the field of business, acquire strong technical and analytical skills, enhance their leadership capabilities, and gain the tools needed to manage change effectively in complex organizations. The program provides flexibility by allowing full-time students to complete it in less than two years, while part-time students can finish in under three years.

The college also offers a unique dual degree option that pairs the MBA with a Master of Arts in Management, combining the technical “hard” skills of business administration with the interpersonal “soft” skills required for managing people effectively. This combination reflects St. Scholastica’s holistic approach to leadership development.

In this guide, we will explore the College of St. Scholastica’s MBA program in detail. We will examine the structure of the program, the significance of the dual MBA-MAM degree, the faculty’s role in shaping the student experience, the integration of values into the curriculum, and the outcomes for graduates. We will also look at the rankings and recognition the college has received, its accreditation, and its reputation in higher education.

The Mission and Identity of St. Scholastica

The College of St. Scholastica operates within the Benedictine tradition, which emphasizes the values of community, hospitality, respect, stewardship, and love of learning. These values are not peripheral but central to the way education is conceived and delivered at the college. Students are encouraged to pursue excellence not only in academics but also in personal growth, ethical responsibility, and service to others.

In the MBA program, this mission is reflected in the curriculum’s focus on both technical skills and leadership development. Business education is not approached as a purely profit-driven endeavor but as an opportunity to prepare leaders who can contribute to the well-being of their organizations, their communities, and society as a whole. The Benedictine values provide a guiding framework for decision-making, strategic planning, and organizational leadership, ensuring that graduates are grounded in ethical principles as they navigate the complexities of modern business environments.

Structure of the MBA Program

The MBA at St. Scholastica is structured to provide both breadth and depth of knowledge. The curriculum covers all major areas of business administration, including accounting, finance, marketing, management, operations, and strategic planning. Core courses are designed to build a foundation in these disciplines, while elective courses allow students to explore specialized interests and career goals.

One of the defining features of the program is its flexibility in scheduling. Students who attend full time can complete the program in less than two years, making it an efficient pathway to a graduate credential. Those who choose to pursue the program part time can complete it in less than three years, which allows them to balance their studies with professional and personal responsibilities.

The curriculum emphasizes not only knowledge acquisition but also application. Students engage in projects, case studies, and simulations that mirror real-world business challenges. This applied learning approach ensures that graduates are not only able to understand business theory but also capable of implementing strategies and solutions in practical settings.

Dual MBA-MAM Degree

One of the most distinctive offerings at the College of St. Scholastica is the dual MBA-MAM degree. While the MBA focuses on the “hard” skills of business such as finance, economics, analytics, and operations management, the Master of Arts in Management emphasizes the “soft” skills that are equally critical for effective leadership. These include communication, team building, conflict resolution, and the ability to motivate and inspire others.

By combining these two degrees, students graduate with a balanced skill set that prepares them for the full spectrum of leadership challenges. In today’s dynamic and diverse workplace environments, technical expertise alone is not enough. Leaders must also understand human behavior, organizational culture, and interpersonal dynamics. The dual degree provides this comprehensive preparation, making graduates uniquely qualified for roles that require both analytical precision and relational effectiveness.

The dual program also highlights the college’s holistic approach to education, which values both measurable outcomes and intangible qualities like empathy and collaboration. This combination resonates with employers who increasingly seek leaders capable of blending business acumen with people-centered leadership.

Faculty and Academic Excellence

The faculty at St. Scholastica’s MBA program play a central role in shaping the educational experience. Professors bring a combination of advanced academic credentials and real-world professional experience to the classroom. Many have backgrounds in corporate leadership, consulting, or entrepreneurship, which allows them to enrich their teaching with practical insights.

Faculty members are not only instructors but also mentors. They take time to guide students through academic challenges, career decisions, and leadership development. This close faculty-student interaction is facilitated by the program’s relatively small class sizes, which foster a sense of community and allow for personalized attention.

The teaching approach is highly interactive, emphasizing collaboration, discussion, and application. Faculty encourage students to analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and develop solutions that are both innovative and ethical. This interactive learning environment reflects the Benedictine value of community, where learning is seen as a shared journey rather than a solitary pursuit.

Integration of Values in Business Education

What sets St. Scholastica apart from many other business schools is its intentional integration of values into the MBA curriculum. Rooted in the Benedictine tradition, the program emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership, social responsibility, and service.

Students are taught to consider not only the profitability of business decisions but also their impact on employees, communities, and the environment. Courses encourage critical reflection on issues such as sustainability, corporate governance, and ethical dilemmas. By embedding these considerations into the curriculum, the program prepares leaders who can make balanced decisions that promote long-term organizational success and social good.

This values-based approach also helps graduates differentiate themselves in the job market. Employers increasingly value leaders who can uphold integrity and accountability in addition to delivering results. The integration of ethics and leadership development at St. Scholastica ensures that MBA graduates are prepared to meet these expectations.

The Student Experience

The student experience in the MBA program at St. Scholastica is characterized by flexibility, support, and community. Many students are working professionals who value the program’s part-time and full-time options. The ability to complete the degree in under three years part time allows them to pursue graduate education without disrupting their careers or family responsibilities.

Students benefit from a supportive learning environment where collaboration is encouraged and relationships with faculty and peers are strong. The small class sizes create a sense of community that mirrors the college’s Benedictine values of respect and hospitality.

The program also provides opportunities for experiential learning, including projects, internships, and networking events. These experiences allow students to apply classroom knowledge in practical settings while building connections with business leaders and organizations.

Career Outcomes for Graduates

Graduates of St. Scholastica’s MBA program are prepared for leadership roles across a wide range of industries. Many pursue careers in corporate management, nonprofit administration, health care leadership, and entrepreneurial ventures. The dual MBA-MAM degree is particularly valuable for graduates seeking positions that require both technical expertise and people-centered management.

The program’s emphasis on leadership, change management, and ethics prepares students for roles that involve guiding organizations through complexity and transformation. Whether advancing within their current organization or transitioning to a new career path, graduates emerge with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.

Employers recognize the value of St. Scholastica graduates for their combination of strong analytical abilities, ethical judgment, and interpersonal skills. This distinctive profile sets them apart in a crowded field of MBA graduates.

Rankings and National Recognition

The College of St. Scholastica has received recognition for its academic quality and distinctive offerings. Twin Cities Business Magazine ranked the college’s MBA program among the top 20 MBA programs in Minnesota in its B.I.G. Book of Business Lists. This recognition underscores the program’s strong reputation within the state’s business community.

The college has also been included in the Princeton Review’s “Best in the Midwest” section of its 2009 Best Colleges: Region by Region publication, placing it among 158 institutions recommended for academic quality in the region.

The Washington Post identified St. Scholastica as one of the nation’s 100 “hidden gems” among U.S. colleges and universities, highlighting its strong academic reputation and unique offerings despite not being a household name nationally.

In 2007, U.S. News & World Report placed the College of St. Scholastica 21st among Midwestern universities offering master’s degrees, further affirming its academic quality and regional significance.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a key indicator of academic quality, and the College of St. Scholastica holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. As a member of the North Central Association, the college is recognized as meeting rigorous standards for faculty qualifications, curriculum development, institutional governance, and student services.

This accreditation ensures that the MBA degree is respected and recognized by employers and other academic institutions. It also provides assurance to students that their investment in graduate education is backed by a credential that meets national standards of quality.

The Value of a St. Scholastica MBA

The MBA program at St. Scholastica offers significant value for students seeking both professional advancement and personal growth. Its comprehensive curriculum provides broad knowledge across business disciplines, while the dual MBA-MAM option ensures that graduates are prepared with both technical and interpersonal skills. The flexibility of the program allows students to balance education with their professional and personal responsibilities, making it accessible to a diverse range of learners.

Beyond the acquisition of skills, the program provides a transformative experience grounded in the Benedictine values of community, respect, stewardship, and ethical responsibility. This integration of values into business education sets St. Scholastica apart from many other institutions and ensures that graduates are prepared to lead with integrity and purpose.

Conclusion

The College of St. Scholastica’s MBA program represents the institution’s commitment to providing top-quality graduate education that combines intellectual rigor, professional preparation, and ethical responsibility. With options for full-time and part-time study, the program offers flexibility for working professionals while maintaining high academic standards.

The dual MBA-MAM degree exemplifies the college’s holistic approach to leadership development, combining the technical “hard” skills of business administration with the “soft” skills required for managing people effectively. This unique offering, combined with the program’s focus on ethics and change management, positions graduates to thrive in today’s complex business environment.

Rankings and recognition from respected organizations affirm the quality of the program, while accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission ensures its credibility. Ultimately, the MBA at the College of St. Scholastica is more than just a degree; it is a pathway to professional success and personal growth, equipping graduates to lead with competence, integrity, and vision.