Massry School of Business

Interim Dean
Kevin J. Williams, Ph.D., University of South Carolina

Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Advising and Engagement
Jason Cotugno, M.S., University at Albany

Academic Advisor
Krystal Greiner, M.S., University at Albany

Director of Accounting Programs
Mark Hughes, Ph.D., University at Albany

Director of Student Services & Academic Coordinator, Digital Forensics Program
Damira Pon, M.S., University at Albany

Professors
Na Dai, Ph.D., University of Kansas
Sanjay Goel, Ph.D., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Janet Marler, Ph.D., Cornell University
Nilanjan Sen, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Hany A. Shawky, Ph.D., Ohio State University
David M. Smith, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Collins Fellow)
Giri Kumar Tayi, Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University
William Wales, Ph.D., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Associate Professors
Lisa Baranik, Ph.D., University of Georgia
Rita Biswas, Ph.D., Texas A&M
Matthew Crayne, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
Dennis Caplan, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Seok-Joo (Andrew) Chang, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
Suraj Commuri, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Guy Fernando, Ph.D., Syracuse University
Ingrid Fisher, Ph.D., University at Albany       
Ioannis Kareklas, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
Jungwon Kuem, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
William Riccardi, Ph.D., Florida International University
Eliot H. Rich, Ph.D., University at Albany       
Kinsun Tam, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
Yvonne Wang, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
Wei Zhang, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Associate Professor, Practice
Raymond K. Van Ness, Ph.D., Union Institute & University

Assistant Professors
Devipsita Bhattacharya, Ph.D., University of Arizona
Sukwoong Choi, Ph.D., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Zhuojun Gu, Ph.D., University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)
Yeasung Jeong, Ph.D., Auburn University
Pranay Jinna, Ph.D., Emory University
Sreya Kolay, Ph.D., University of Rochester
Aleksandra Kovacheva, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Xiao Li, Ph.D., University of Arizona
Bilian Lin, Ph.D., The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Xuecong Lu, Ph.D., University of Montreal
Prinkle Sharma, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
Lee Spitzley, Ph.D., University of Arizona
Hillary Wiener, Ph.D., Duke University

Visiting Assistant Professors 
Nimrod Dvir, Ph.D., University at Albany
Srishti Gupta, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
Sarah Vizer Thorrick, CPA, University of New Orleans
Emannuel Udoh, Ph.D., University at Albany

Lecturers
Margaret Adkins, J.D., Albany Law School
Fabio R. Auffant II, M.S., Champlain College
Robert Downey, M.B.A., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Jennifer Boll, J.D., Harvard Law School
Marisa Lester, M.S., University at Albany
Thomas Monaco, M.B.A., Fordham
Kenneth Moore, M.S., University of Southern California 
Michelle Moshier, M.S., University of Hartford
Heidi Reale, M.B.A., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Ethan Sprissler, M.S., University at Albany

Adjuncts (estimated): 30-33

The Massry School of Business at the University at Albany offers degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels that prepare students to enter managerial and professional careers. All programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The School is one of only four public universities in New York State to have AACSB accreditation in business administration and supplemental accreditation in accounting.

All Massry School of Business courses are preceded by the prefix letter B.

At the undergraduate level, the school offers Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in accounting, business administration, digital forensics, and an interdisciplinary studies major with a concentration in financial market regulation. The B.S. degree is granted only to students who have been formally admitted to the School prior to taking their upper division courses in business.

At the graduate level, the School offers a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), a Master of Science in Accounting (M.S.), a Master of Science in Business Analytics (M.S.), and a Master of Science in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity (M.S.). The full-time M.B.A. has a two-year option open primarily to non-business undergraduates as well as one year program for students with an undergraduate degree in business from an AACSB accredited institution. In addition, the School participates in the Information Science Ph.D. in cooperation with other academic units. Information on this graduate program is available in the Graduate Bulletin.

The Massry School of Business at the University at Albany has developed a national reputation for the quality of its undergraduate programs.

Majors in Accounting or Business Administration

Application and Admission in effect for students matriculating in Fall 2024 and thereafter.

The following guidelines have been developed as a means of selecting the best-qualified students to study accounting or business administration.

Initial Admission of Freshmen to the Massry School of Business

All students admitted to the University whose basis of admission is “FRESHMAN” can be admitted to the Massry School of Business as Accounting or Business Administration majors by declaring their major as “School of Business.” To remain a Business major during the freshman and sophomore years, each student must meet the retention standards set by the School. These standards require students to maintain a 3.00 overall average at the University at Albany and at least a 3.00 average for the designated admission core courses taken at the University.

To remain a Massry School of Business major in Accounting or Business Administration, students must also have satisfactorily completed all seven of the admission core courses by the end of four semesters at the University. (Note: all core courses must be taken on an A–E basis.) These core courses are: (1) B ACC 211 (2) B ITM 215 (3) A MAT 108 or A ECO 320 (4) B FOR 200 (5) B LAW 220 (6) A PSY 101 and (7) B BUS 100. In addition, students must have completed a total of at least 56 degree applicable credits by the end of four semesters at the University to remain a School of Business major.

Students’ records will be evaluated after their third and fourth semesters to determine that all of the above retention standards have been met.

Students not meeting these standards by the end of their fourth semester at the University at Albany are not guaranteed admission to the Massry School of Business.

Students in the Massry School of Business who have attained junior standing (i.e., 56 degree applicable credits) and who have met all the retention standards shall be eligible to enroll in the upper division School courses. 

Direct Admission as Freshmen

A select group of freshmen will be offered admission to the Massry School of Business Accounting or Business Administration majors without any additional conditions beyond those for continuing enrollment at the University. Such admission will be based on a review of the student’s performance in high school as reflected in grade point average (HSGPA), performance on school-based tests such as Regents exams, scores on the SAT or ACT national exams, competitive rank in class, and similar metrics.

Students must complete the same set of business core courses during their first two years that are required of all students in order to begin the upper division sequence of business courses in the junior year. The business core courses must be completed with an average grade of at least C (2.00).

Direct admission as freshmen to the Massry School of Business represents an act of confidence in a cadre of well-prepared students, and it is expected that these students will perform at the highest academic levels at the University at Albany. Students must meet University at Albany requirements for good academic standing to retain their enrollment in the Massry School of Business.

Direct Admission students who are academically dismissed by the University prior to declaring the Business Administration or Accounting major relinquish their direct admit status. If granted readmission by the University’s Committee on Academic Standing, the student will need to seek an alternate major or apply to the Massry School of Business at the end of the semester in which they complete the business core courses and obtain junior standing (at least 56 credits).    

Initial Admission of Transfers with Sophomore Standing or above to the Massry School of Business

All students whose basis of admission is “TRANSFER” can be admitted to the Massry School of Business by declaring their major as either Accounting or Business Administration at the time of their application to the University as long as they will have met the following criteria:

Students must have completed a total of at least 32 degree applicable credits by the end of the spring semester preceding their summer or fall admission to the University, or by the end of the fall semester preceding their spring admission to the University. They must also have a final cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher and have completed elsewhere a minimum of three of the designated admission core courses with at least a 3.00 average prior to matriculation.

To remain a Massry School of Business major, students must achieve a minimum overall GPA at the University at Albany of at least a 2.50 by the end of their first semester. They must also complete all remaining core courses with a minimum 3.00 average by the end of their second semester at this University. (Note: all core courses must be taken on an A–E graded basis.) Additionally, they must have achieved 56 degree applicable credits by the end of two semesters at the University.

Subsequent Admission to the Massry School of Business

Students who did not declare their major as “School of Business” by the deadlines stated above but whose basis of admission is “FRESHMAN” or whose basis of admission is “TRANSFER” with fewer than 32 degree-applicable credits may directly apply (or reapply) for admission to the Massry School of Business Accounting or Business Administration major once they have attained junior standing (i.e., 56 degree applicable credits) and have satisfactorily completed all seven of the admission core courses. These courses are: (1) B ACC 211 (2) B ITM 215 (3) A MAT 108 or A ECO 320 (4) B FOR 200 (5) B LAW 220 (6) A PSY 101 and (7) B BUS 100.

(Note: all core courses must be taken on an A–E graded basis.)

Other “TRANSFER” students who were admitted with 32 or more degree-applicable credits but who were not initially admitted to the Massry School of Business may still be considered for admission within the following guidelines:

a. Students who can demonstrate that their previous transfer record would have qualified them for admission had they applied initially to the Massry School of Business will be admitted under the conditions and criteria described above for other sophomore or junior transfers.

b. Students who do not initially qualify for admission as a transfer student to the Massry School of Business may apply directly to the Massry School of Business in the semester in which they will have completed 56 credits and all seven core courses. Applications are available in the Office of Student Services in BB 201 on May 1st, June 1st, or December 1st and are due in that same office prior to the end of final exams for a fall, spring, and summer session.

Appeals

Special Admissions: Students not admissible by any of the established criteria but who believe they have extenuating circumstances may write a letter of appeal to the School. Contact the Massry School of Business Office of Student Services, BB 201, for the procedure.

Course Progression Restrictions

Students must earn a grade of C or higher in B ACC 311 to enroll in B ACC 312.

Degree Requirements for the B.S. in Accounting for students matriculating Fall 2024

A combined major and minor program with a minimum of 77 credits as follows:

  • A ECO 110 Principles of Economics I: Microeconomics (3)
  • A ECO 111 Principles of Economics II: Macroeconomics (3)
  • A ECO at 300 level or above where A ECO 110 and 111 are prerequisites, excluding A ECO 320, 496, and 497 (3)
  • A MAT 106, 112, 118 or equivalent Calculus (3-4)
  • A MAT 108 or A ECO 320 Statistics (3)*
  • A PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)*
  • B ACC 211 Financial Accounting (3)*
  • B ACC 222 Cost Accounting Systems for Managerial Decisions (3)
  • B ACC 301 Financial Accounting Analytics Lab I (1)
  • B ACC 302 Financial Accounting Analytics Lab II (1) 
  • B ACC 311 Financial Accounting Theory I (3)
  • B ACC 312 Financial Accounting Theory II (3)
  • B ACC 381 Accounting Information Systems (3)
  • B ACC 403 Auditing Analytics Lab (1) 
  • B ACC 411 Financial Accounting Theory III (3)
  • B ACC 440 Survey of Taxation (3)
  • B ACC 461 Auditing (3)
  • B BUS 100 Survey of Business (1)* 
  • B BUS 300 Accounting and Communication (1)
  • B FIN 300 Financial Management (3)
  • B FIN 301 Corporate Financial Policy and Strategy or B FIN 375 Money and Capital Markets or A ECO 350 Money and Banking (3)
  • B FOR 200 Information Security for Business (3)*
  • B ITM 215 Information Technologies for Business (3)*
  • B ITM 330 Improving Business Performance with Information Technologies (3)
  • B LAW 220 Business Law (3)*
  • B LAW 321 Law of Business Organization (3)
  • B MKT 310 Marketing Principles (3)
  • B MGT 341 Behavioral Foundations of Management (3)
  • B MGT 481W Strategic Management (3)

*Seven Admission Core Course Requirements 

Degree Requirements for the B.S. in Business Administration for students matriculating Fall 2024

The programs in business administration, combining a major-minor sequence, are designed for students planning careers in management science, information systems, business analytics, marketing, and finance, or a combination of these areas.

A combined major and minor program with a minimum of 63-69 credits as follows:

  • A ECO 110 Principles of Economics I: Microeconomics (3)
  • A ECO 111 Principles of Economics II: Macroeconomics (3)
  • A ECO at 300 level or above where A ECO 110 and 111 are prerequisites excluding A ECO 320, 496, and 497 (3)
  • A MAT 106, 112, 118 or equivalent Calculus (3-4)
  • A MAT 108 or A ECO 320 Statistics (3)*
  • A PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)*
  • B ACC 211 Financial Accounting (3)*
  • B ACC 222 Cost Accounting Systems for Managerial Decisions (3)
  • B BUS 100 Survey of Business (1)*
  • B BUS 310 Business Communication (1)
  • B FIN 300 Financial Management (3)
  • B FOR 200 Information Security for Business (3)*
  • B ITM 215 Information Technologies for Business (3)*
  • B ITM 330 Improving Business Performance with Information Technologies (3)
  • B LAW 220 Business Law (3)*
  • B MKT 310 Marketing Principles (3)
  • B MGT 341 Behavioral Foundations of Management (3)
  • B MGT 481W Strategic Management (3)

*Seven Admission Core Course Requirements

Approved Concentrations:

  • Entrepreneurship/Finance Concentration (18 credits): B FIN 301, B FIN 333, B FIN 375, B FIN 404, B MGT 400, B MGT 460.
  • Entrepreneurship/Information Systems and Business Analytics Concentration (21 credits): B FIN 301, B FIN 404, B ITM 322, B ITM 331, B ITM 415, B MGT 400, B MGT 460.
  • Entrepreneurship/Marketing Concentration (21 credits): B FIN 301, B FIN 404, B MGT 400, B MGT 460, B MKT 351, 3 credits B MKT 300-level or 400-level elective, 3 credits B MKT 400-level elective.
  • Finance/Information Systems and Business Analytics Concentration (18 credits): B FIN 301, B FIN 333, B FIN 375; B ITM 322, B ITM 331, B ITM 415.
  • Finance/Management Concentration (18 credits): B FIN 301, B FIN 333, B FIN 375; B MGT 430, 6 Credits B MGT 400-level electives.
  • Finance/Marketing Concentration (18 credits): B FIN 301, B FIN 333, B FIN 375; B MKT 351, 3 credits B MKT 300-level or B MKT 400-level elective, 3 credits B MKT 400-level elective.
  • Financial Analyst Honors Program Concentration (21 credits): B ACC 313 (or B ACC 312); B FIN 380, B FIN 400, B FIN 410, B FIN 436, B FIN 485, B FIN 490Z.
  • Information Systems and Business Analytics Concentration (15 credits): B ITM 322, B ITM 331, B ITM 415, B ITM 416, B ITM 434.
  • Management/Information Systems and Business Analytics Concentration (18 credits): B ITM 322, B ITM 331, B ITM 415; B MGT 430, 6 credits B MGT 400-level electives.
  • Marketing Concentration (15 credits): B MKT 312, B MKT 351, 3 credits B MKT 300-level or 400-level elective, 6 credits B MKT 400-level electives.
  • Marketing/Information Systems and Business Analytics Concentration (18 credits): B ITM 322, B ITM 331, B ITM 415; B MKT 351, 3 credits B MKT 300-level or B MKT 400-level elective, 3 credits B MKT 400-level elective.
  • Marketing/Management Concentration (18 credits): B MGT 430, 6 credits B MGT 400-level electives; B MKT 351, 3 credits B MKT 300-level or 400-level elective, 3 credits B MKT 400-level elective.
  • Note: In order to complete concentrations in a timely manner it is necessary to follow specific course sequencing. For more detailed information on concentrations, consult Undergraduate Student Services in the School of Business.

Financial Analyst Honors Program

This program is a concentration within the Business Administration major designed to provide committed students of finance with the opportunity for a special educational experience in small seminars where they can develop their analytical and communication skills.

School of Business students may continue in the Honors Program at the end of the first semester of the junior year so long as they have achieved a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.50 for:

  1. all courses taken through the first semester junior year
  2. B ACC 313.

NOTE: Students will be allowed to advance register for second semester junior year courses with the understanding that if they do not meet the minimum qualification for retention in the Honors Program, they will receive notice by letter or email informing them of their non-retention in the Honors Program and will be deregistered for courses in the program.

Maintenance of a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 overall and a 3.50 in all courses required in the Honors sequence is required to remain in the program.

Required Honors Program courses for the concentration are:

B ACC 313 (or B ACC 312); B FIN 380, B FIN 400, B FIN 410, B FIN 436, B FIN 485, B FIN 490Z.

Financial Analyst Honors Program Sequence:

Fall semester junior year:

  • B ACC 313 Financial Statement Analysis
  • B FIN 300 Financial Management (Required of all School of Business students)

Spring semester junior year:

  • B FIN 380 Investment Valuation and Analysis
  • B FIN 400 Financial Case Problems
  • B FIN 410 Fixed Income Securities Market

Fall semester senior year:

  • B FIN 490Z Financial Analysis Seminar and Thesis

Spring semester senior year:

  • B FIN 436 International Financial Management
  • B FIN 485 Derivatives and Risk Management

During the Financial Analysis Seminar and Thesis course, students will be required to present oral and/or written progress reports on their ongoing research and critique each other’s work. Each student must submit his or her senior honors thesis to the Finance faculty for review and eventual acceptance.

NOTE: Students who drop or are dropped from the Financial Honors Program at the end of their junior year will be allowed to use any completed courses in Finance toward a combined concentration in Finance/ISBA, Finance/Management, Finance/Entrepreneurship or Finance/Marketing after consultation with the School of Business undergraduate advisement personnel.

Students who successfully complete the courses in the Financial Analyst Honors Program and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 will be awarded the Bachelor of Science with Honors in Financial Analysis, and they will be recognized formally at the School of Business recognition ceremony in May. Students whose cumulative GPA is below 3.50 will be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Financial Analysis (without honors). 

Major in Digital Forensics

The undergraduate curriculum in Digital Forensics is designed to nurture the development of students who are able to think critically, perform high-level analysis, adapt to changing environments through innovation and exploration, and have a deep understanding of the technical, legal, financial and socio-psychological influences that are related to the practice of digital forensics and investigation of cyber-crime.

The curriculum is structured with four components: foundational principles, core competencies, concentration, and capstone. The first two components are designed to integrate the dissemination of fundamental principles with the cultivation of the critical skill set necessary for advance undergraduate coursework and interdisciplinary research. The remaining two components expand on these foundational skills to develop the topical expertise, technical depth, and independent analytic abilities that are essential to a well-rounded undergraduate educational experience.

This program will provide students with foundational technology skills in the areas of communications and networking, computer hardware, software development and database design, information security and the law. It will build core competencies in the area of data preservation, and examination and discovery in multiple areas including information security, criminal investigations, accounting and finance. The program culminates with capstone courses that consolidate the student learning in context of real problems. Overall, the program offers an academically rigorous preparation for students intending to pursue careers in digital forensics related fields as well as to pursue graduate education in the area of information security, digital forensics, and data analytics and law.

Admission Requirements

A select group of freshmen will be offered admission to the Massry School of Business Digital Forensics major without any additional conditions beyond those for continuing enrollment at the University. Such admission will be based on a review of the student’s performance in high school as reflected in grade point average (HSGPA), performance on school-based tests such as Regents exams, scores on the SAT or ACT national exams, competitive rank in class, and similar metrics. To maintain enrollment in the major, at the completion of 56 credits, these students must also have completed the following seven courses with an average grade of at least C (2.00). R CRJ 281 or A MAT 108, A PSY 101, B ACC 211, B FOR 100, B FOR 201, B FOR 203, and B FOR 205.

Students not admitted as Direct Admission may apply for the major at the time of completion of 56 credits. Eligibility criteria at that time include a cumulative GPA of 3.00 in addition to completion of the same seven courses (based on matriculation date), with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Transfer student designated courses may differ according to articulation agreements, but cumulative GPA from the transfer institution must be a 3.00.

Requirements for the B.S. in Digital Forensics

 The B.S. program in Digital Forensics requires the completion of the following courses (68-69 credits) clustered in four components:

  1. Foundational Principles courses (22 credits)
    • B FOR 100 Introduction to Information Systems (3)
    • B FOR 201 Introduction to Digital Forensics (3)
    • B ACC 211 Financial Accounting (3)
    • B ITM 215 Information Technologies for Business (3)
    • A PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
    • R CRJ 202 Introduction to Law and Criminal Justice (4) or B LAW 220 Business Law (3)
    • R CRJ 281 Introduction to Statistics in Criminal Justice (3) or A MAT 108 Elementary Statistics (3)
  2. Core Competencies courses (12 credits)
    • B FOR 203 Networking and Cryptography (3)
    • B FOR 204 Introduction to Cybersecurity (3)
    • B FOR 205 Introduction to Database Systems (3)
    • B FOR 206 Programming for Analytics (3)
  3. Concentration courses (27 credits)
    • B FOR 301 Computer Forensics (3)
    • B FOR 303 Computer and Memory Forensics (3)
    • B FOR 304 Mobile Forensics (3)
    • B FOR 305 Cyber Defense (3)
    • B FOR 306 Database Security and Forensics (3)
    • B FOR 400 Forensic Accounting and Fraud Detection (3)
    • B FOR 403 Risk Analysis and Security Policies (3)
    • B FOR 412 Cyber Incident Response and Penetration Testing (3)
    • B FOR 413 Multimedia Forensics (3)
  4.  Capstone courses (8 credits)
    • B FOR 401W Advanced Digital Forensics (4)
    • B FOR 402 eDiscovery Forensics and Moot Court (4)

Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics Certificate in Business Analytics

There is growing demand for people with skills in data management and analysis. National and international companies recognize that the application of business analytics has a positive impact on their businesses. However, a shortage of business analytics professionals that have business and/or STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) backgrounds exists. The Certificate in Business Analytics program aims to provide the skills necessary to satisfy the needs of the marketplace. The program consists of the following five courses:

  1. B ITM 215 Information Technologies for Business - introduces Excel spreadsheet analysis;
  2. B ITM 322 Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions - focuses on statistical methods, including data collection, hypothesis testing, and multiple regression analysis;
  3. B ITM 330 Improving Business Performance with Information Technologies - covers data management, database design, and structured query language (SQL);
  4. B ITM 415 Data Analytics in Business - emphasizes data management and predictive analytics;
  5. B ITM 416 Topics in Business Analytics - exposes students to analytical techniques that are not covered in B ITM 415.

The certificate is relevant to business and STEM majors wanting to make themselves more marketable in today's world.

Admission Requirements

Admissions to the Certificate program is by application. School of Business majors apply through Massry School of Business Undergraduate Student Services. Students from other schools and non-majors should contact either their Department Advisor or the ISBA Department Chair for application details. Matriculated University at Albany students must apply for the Certificate in Business Analytics through no later than the start of their Senior year.

Acceptance into the certificate program requires a 3.25 GPA and junior standing, or an equivalent achievement in an Associate's degree. To retain eligibility for the certificate, students must achieve a B or better grade in each of the courses required for the certificate. In exceptional cases this retention requirement may be waived by the department faculty or designate.