Saint Francis University

Shields School of Business

Preparing ethical leaders for careers in finance, accounting, management, analytics, marketing, communications, criminal justice, and more.

Focused on Values-Based Leadership

The Shields School of Business

The Shields School of Business offers high-caliber, professional education blended with an integrated liberal arts foundation, all grounded in Franciscan ethics and values.

Located in Schwab Hall, you’ll find our business school’s culture is dynamic, engaging, relationship-oriented, and focused on learning by doing. We believe that professional education should not be limited to what takes place in the classroom and what is written in textbooks. Education needs to be “experienced” in a much deeper and more realistic manner inside and outside the traditional classroom. Our leaders today are destined to become the leaders of tomorrow!

Shields School of Business College of Distinction

Degree Programs in the Shields School of Business

With accredited undergraduate, graduate, and online degrees, the Shields School of Business affords your every opportunity to obtain a high-caliber, student-centric, and values-based business education. Dedicated faculty, staff, and accomplished alumni will mentor you every step of the way, preparing you for careers in finance, accounting, management, analytics, marketing, communications, criminal justice, and more.

Choose your Program

High-caliber, professional education blended with an integrated liberal arts foundation, all grounded in Franciscan values.

Accounting
Business Administration
Business Analytics
Communications
Criminal Justice
Finance
Global Business Management/International Business
Management
Management Information Systems
Marketing
Online and In-Person
MBA Specializations (Master of Business Administration )
- Accounting
- Finance
- Health Care Management
- Human Resource Management
- Information Systems & Project Management
- Leadership and Ethical Management
- Marketing
- Sports Management

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FACULTY

A personalized approach to learning and leading

The Shields School of Business faculty provide an advantageous mix of accomplished practitioners and academicians experienced in teaching adult learners. They teach subjects within their areas of professional expertise and represent the best blend of theoretical and practical knowledge appropriate to professional graduate education. Guest speakers and site visits augment the instruction in several courses to enrich the value of the program.

Dr. Randy Frye
Dean, School of Business

814.472.3041
Email Dr. Randy Frye

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

What sets the Shields School of Business apart from the rest?

Fast Track: Undergraduate students have the option to complete their masters degree (MBA degree, MHRM degree, Online MBA or Online MHRM) within five years. Double majoring is also possible within four years.
Personal Touch: Small class sizes and interactive online tools allow our award-winning faculty to advise each student with care and concern for their success.
Out-Of-Classroom Opportunities: Prestigious internships, Spring Break in London, and our nationally-ranked ENACTUS team are just a few of the real-world experiences available to students.
Top Notch Facilities: After a multimillion dollar renovation, Schwab Hall is poised to be a treasured academic facility for generations to come.

Mission Statement of the Shields School of Business

The Saint Francis University School of Business seeks to enable students and graduates to know more, do more, and be more. The School of Business will graduate students who have the knowledge, skills, love of learning, confidence, drive, and ethical and moral values needed to be spiritually fulfilled in life and successful in professional careers.

The scope of our mission is to serve the educational and developmental needs of a broad constituency, from traditional-age students desiring enrollment in undergraduate business programs; to working professionals who desire executive development opportunities that come with the Masters of Business Administration and the Masters of Human Resource Management Programs; to the aspiring entrepreneur who plans to begin a business; and to existing businesses that want to grow, expand, and reach new markets.

An Ancient stone wall hosting a hooded and pious Saint Francis gazing towards heaven. Sparsely garnished conifers glow green in the sunlight.

The Shields School of Business at Saint Francis University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view our IACBE member status page.

Accredited Degrees Offered:

List of Accredited Business Degrees at SFU

Student Achievement/Career Placement Results:

IACBE Public Disclosure of Student Achievement Form Summary Results

Blog

Success Profile Erika Ellison

Marie Young, University Communications & Marketing | 06/02/2025

From student-athlete to emerging business professional and Army officer, 2nd Lt. Erika Ellison is a Saint Francis University graduate whose career journey is rooted in discipline, ambition, and a desire to serve. A native of Washington State, Erika came to SFU to play lacrosse—and left five years later with not only two degrees but also a clear sense of direction.

Celebrating Women’s History Month: A Special Event Honoring Leadership Icon Frances Hesselbein

Mitchell Jubas | 01/30/2025

Saint Francis University will host a documentary screening and panel discussion on Frances Hesselbein’s leadership legacy on March 13, 2025. Free and open to the public, the event celebrates her impact on leadership, diversity, and service.

Saint Francis University Team Sweeps Second Place in Global CEO Business Pitch for EcoPrint

Shields School of Business | 11/19/2024

Three Saint Francis University entrepreneurs took their non-profit company EcoPrint all the way to second place in the 41st annual Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) Global Conference and Pitch Fest on November 2, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. Biology-Pre-med students Caleb DeBass (Forest, VA), Carson Elbin (Needmore, PA), and Nathan Poplos (Magnolia, DE) pitched their business EcoPrint.

SFU hosts 3rd Annual First Responders Day

University Communications & Marketing | 10/28/2024

Saint Francis University welcomed First Responders from across the state on Oct. 25, 2024 for the 3rd Annual First Responders Day. It was the university's largest First Responders Day celebration, with almost 20 organizations from the fire service, law enforcement, and emergency medical services participating.

DEA Special Agent Tarentino accepting 2024 Assisi Award for Saint Francis University Alumnus Frank Tummillo killed in line of duty. Shown with SFU President Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R.

1968 alum Frank Tummillo honored with posthumous Assisi Award and criminal justice scholarship

Marie Young, University Communications & Marketing | 10/10/2024

1968 Saint Francis College alumnus Frank Tummillo who was killed in the line of duty in 1972 during an undercover narcotics investigation was honored posthumously with the 2024 Assisi Award and a criminal justice scholarship in his name thanks to the fundraising efforts of his Alphi Phi Delta fraternity brothers.

SFU students using podcasts to change the world

Rachel (Vasilko) Heckman ‘13 | 08/08/2024

Saint Francis University students Griffin Burt and Julianne “JJ” Dee started their podcasts for very different reasons, yet both are using their platform to inspire others to follow their dreams or to educate them on matters important to their communities.

IACBE reaffirms specialized business accreditation in Shields School of Business

Shields School of Business | 05/31/2024

On April 2, 2024, the Board of Commissioners of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) approved Saint Francis University’s reaffirmation of specialized business accreditation for its business-related degree programs offered through its Shields College of Business. According to a news release issued by IACBE, “The Shields School of Business at Saint Francis University has demonstrated compliance of its business programs with the IACBE Accreditation Principles through a rigorous process of self-evaluation and independent peer review. In addition, the College of

Early wins for New AMA chapter at SFU

Tom Schellbach, Communications Major | 03/11/2024

A new chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) at Saint Francis University, established by SFU Marketing students with the assistance of Assistant Professor of Marketing Kim Flanders, is off to a great start.

Leadership Development Series 2023

University Communications & Marketing | 09/28/2023

Altoona workshop series set for business leaders and managers Saint Francis University Shields School of Business & The Francis in the Marketplace Employee Training and Development Institute present the Fall 2023/Winter 2024 Leadership Development Series.   The series consists of four high energy leadership workshops aimed at fueling employee engagement, unleashing workplace productivity, and enabling organizations to attract and retain the best employees. Sessions are open to all managers and leaders who wish to create a more productive and meaningful workplace.  Fall 2023/Winter 2024

Finance alum named among Forbes Top Next-Wealth Advisors

University Communications & Marketing | 08/25/2023

Andrew Krout, a 2013 SFU alumni in Finance, has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors: Best in State for 2023. Andrew is a Wealth Advisor and Co-Chief Investment Officer at DeGroote Financial Group in Boston.

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