(SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – March 12, 2013) – The MBA program at SUNY Empire State College’s School for Graduate Studies has been named among the top 25 in the first-ever “Best for Vets: Business Schools 2013” survey rankings by Military Times magazine.

The college’s MBA program garnered high marks for its staff dedicated to veterans, academic support and for accepting credits for military training as recommended by the American Council on Education.

“As we launch our new MBA pathway for service members and veterans, we are honored to have earned this recognition from Military Times," said Tai Arnold, dean of the college’s School for Graduate Studies. "It is a wonderful reflection of the graduate business faculty and college staff who are dedicated to serving the military and veterans.”

“Our students are professional adults, with diverse backgrounds and experiences in business and nonprofit organizations, seeking upward mobility or career change,” said Alan Belasen, chair of business, management and leadership at the School for Graduate Studies. “The competency-based management curriculum is particularly useful in helping our students meet their growth goals.”

The magazine looked at survey responses from the School for Graduate Studies and earlier responses to a survey about the entire college. Rankings and methodology are available here.

The School for Graduate Studies recently launched Credit Where Credit is Due: Veteran and Service Member Pathway to the MBA, which offers a course specifically designed to serve veterans transitioning to civilian life and business leadership and grants graduate-level credit for relevant military training as recommended by ACE.

“The graduate business, management and leadership programs draw on academic rigor and relevant expertise with curriculum that is both relevant and accountable to the needs of veterans,” added Belasen.

The pathway project was funded by the Graduate Management Admissions Council's Management Education for Tomorrow Fund.

Through its Office of Veteran and Military Education, the college assists veterans, service members and their families to gain access to all of the education benefits, including tuition and financial aid, they have earned as part of their service to the country.

About SUNY Empire State College

SUNY Empire State College was established in 1971 to offer adult learners the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the State University of New York.

In addition to awarding credit for prior college-level learning, the college pairs each student with a faculty mentor who supports that student throughout his or her college career. Students engage in guided independent study and course work onsite, online or a combination of both, which provides the flexibility for students to learn at the time, place and pace they choose.

The college serves more than 20,000 students worldwide at more than 35 locations in New York state and online. Its 66,000 alumni are active in their communities as entrepreneurs, politicians, business professionals, artists, nonprofit agency employees, teachers, veterans and active military, union members and more. More information about the college is available here.

###

Media contact: David Henahan, director of communications

518-587-2100, ext. 2918

David.Henahan@esc.edu

518-321-7038 (after 5 p.m. and on weekends)