Saint Francis University and the University of Pittsburgh Forge an Articulation Agreement
After completing an undergraduate business degree, some enter the workforce while others continue their education by earning a graduate business degree. Saint Francis University continues to grow opportunities for students across the region to easily continue their education in an accredited graduate business degree program.
Of the many paths Saint Francis University provides, one is developing unique partnerships called Articulation Agreements with other colleges and universities. These agreements are designed to help continuing education students smoothly transition between institutions. The agreements outline how credits earned in select programs can be transferred and applied toward completing another degree in a related field to prevent duplicating coursework.
New Graduate Business Programs Articulation Agreement between SFU and UPJ
Saint Francis University and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown recently implemented a new articulation agreement that will allow Pitt-Johnstown business students to move seamlessly into one of three Saint Francis University graduate-level business programs—Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM), and Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership (MASL).
Under the agreement, students who successfully complete a 120-credit hour business program at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a 3.0 QPA or above may apply for admission to the Shields School of Business graduate programs at Saint Francis University. Qualified Pitt-Johnstown business students will have several advantages through this agreement, including waiver of the SFU application fee and accelerated pathway options.
Accepted students can enroll in the accelerated 30-credit MBA program as a 4+1 student. This special entrance accelerated pathway shaves off six additional credits (17%) of the graduate needed for the degree.
In addition, all Pitt-Johnstown students will receive white-glove concierge service and advising from the Saint Francis University Graduate Business Programs Office. This service includes individualized academic planning and related academic advising and career planning services if desired, plus an accelerated educational opportunity in the MBA program. Qualified and admitted Pitt-Johnstown business graduates would be approved for the 30-credit accelerated MBA program instead of the standard 36-credit program. Saint Francis graduate business program officials will also be available for Pitt-Johnstown campus visits to promote the program and meet potential candidates.
The five-year articulation agreement developed by Dr. Janet Grady, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, and Dr. Randy Frye, Dean of the Shields School of Business at Saint Francis University, became effective immediately upon its signing in June 2023 by the two university presidents.