Seton Hall Leads the Way in Business Education, Stackable Credentials and Internationalization

Through its commitment to microcredentials, upskilling and internationalization, Seton Hall’s Stillman School of Business and its Continuing Education and Professional Studies division stand out as prime examples of how higher education is evolving. Deans Joyce Strawser and Mary Kate Naatus emphasized the importance of flexibility and global awareness in the ever-changing business landscape in articles this month on the news platform ROI-NJ.

Dean Joyce Strawser, Ph.D., of the Stillman School of Business underscored the significance of offering bite-sized learning opportunities that can lead to more comprehensive education. "Sometimes, people, especially working professionals, come in and don’t want to make a huge commitment at that moment, but just want to acquire a specific subset of knowledge, give their résumé a boost, and move on — and that’s fine," Strawser shared. She explained that Seton Hall’s certificates and microcredentials allow learners to explore specific areas, with many eventually choosing to roll over credits into advanced degrees like an M.B.A. "Even for those who start small, it’s nice to have the opportunity to continue learning if they choose to," she added, highlighting how flexibility is key to Seton Hall’s success in meeting the needs of today’s professionals.

On the broader trend of upskilling and microcredentials, Strawser noted that companies and learners alike are responding positively to this model. "We’ve seen many professionals opt for standalone certifications in areas like customer experience and transformative leadership," she said, "and often, they transition into degree programs once they see the value of further education." This approach mirrors national trends across New Jersey’s business schools, which are increasingly focused on providing modular learning opportunities tailored to busy professionals. For more on this, read here.

Dean Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D., assistant provost and dean of the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies, highlighted Seton Hall’s push toward internationalization and its commitment to preparing students for a global business environment. "One of the things in particular we’re looking to do is internationalize our campus and attract more international students to our graduate programs" Naatus said. A key example is the university’s shift of programs, such the Stillman School’s M.S. in Business Analytics and the College of Arts and Science’s M.S. in Data Science, from fully online to a hybrid format with a significant in-person component, designed to better engage international students who need to be physically present in the U.S. "To register and participate in these programs, students need the majority of their classwork in-person, and we’re working to ensure that our offerings reflect that need," Naatus explained.

In addition to expanding international student participation, Naatus is also keen on increasing graduate student involvement in study abroad opportunities. "When they do participate, it really helps them make connections with students that go deeper than usual interactions when you are going to class and working on projects together," she said. These transformative experiences not only foster cross-cultural understanding but also allow students to build a global network.

Learn more about Seton Hall’s global focus highlighted in ROI-NJ here.

Categories: Business, Education, Nation and World