Richard J. Wehle School of Business

Richard J. Wehle School of Business

Shawn O'Rourke, PhD, Interim Dean; Laura A. McEwen, Associate Dean and Director, Graduate Business Programs; Sara Vescio, Executive Director of the Women’s Business Center; Jennifer M. Patrick, Director of Executive Education and Leadership Development, James T. McCarthy, Director of Internships and Career Development.

Bagen Hall 205 | 2001 Main Street | Buffalo NY 14208 | 716-888-2160 | Fax: 716-888-2145 
Visit us on the Richard J. Wehle Business School webpage

OUR MISSION

The Richard J. Wehle School of Business (WSB) develops career ready-business leaders who are prepared to make ethical business decisions that reflect the interests of multiple stakeholders.

With our partners in the Western New York business community, we emphasize immersive, experience-based learning activities that reflect the interconnected and global nature of business.

Faculty are committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and professional engagement with an emphasis on improving and informing business practices.

In accordance with our Jesuit tradition, we are committed to educating the whole person, to using our skills in the service of others, and to a business work ethic of doing more and going beyond what is expected. 

OUR VISION

Leveraging our national rankings in accounting and finance, we will be recognized as the premier business school in Western New York by combining innovative learning activities involving real business problems with intensive leadership development rooted in Jesuit values.  We will be recognized as thought leaders in the transformation of business in our region, and we will be a provider of choice among our alumni and the business community for continued professional development.

OUR LEARNING GOALS

We are committed to developing professionals who have depth of expertise in business functions combined with breadth of leadership and professional skills for success in today's dynamic business environment.  Our graduates will:

  • Understand ethical behavior and sustainability concepts.
    • Canisius graduates will be able to identify principled and ethical solutions to business problems.
    • Canisius graduates will be able to assess the potential social, economics, and environmental impact of business decisions on relevant stakeholders.
  • Make well-informed business decisions by demonstrating the ability to identify and solve business problems and explain meaning of results.
    • Canisius graduates will be able to interpret data, employ quantitative reasoning, and apply appropriate analytical tools to derive data-driven decisions.
    • Canisius graduates will be able to evaluate and incorporate contextual information in the decision-making process [and generate positive solutions].
  • Understand how functional areas of business impact business strategy.
    • Canisius graduates will understand how functional areas impact business strategy, and give examples as to how decisions in these areas can be structured to improve organizational performance and positively impact all stakeholders.
  • Be career-ready professionals who are prepared to lead.
    • Canisius graduates will articulate career goals, prepare a professional resume, demonstrate behavior-based interviewing techniques, and develop a professional network.

AACSB Accreditation

The Richard J. Wehle School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB).  Accreditation by AACSB is the hallmark of excellence in management education, and has been earned by less than five percent of the world's business programs. It represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Programs receiving AACSB International accreditation have superior faculty, high-caliber teaching, and meaningful interaction between students and faculty. All students majoring in business are required to participate in assessment exercises appropriate for meeting accreditation requirements.

Academic Programs & Departments

The Richard J. Wehle School of Business offers curricula leading to premium undergraduate degree programs.  You can view a complete listing of the undergraduate business and dual-degree programs by clicking on the Programs tab at the top of this page. Students can earn dual majors using two or more business majors or a combination of business and non-business majors from outside the Wehle School of Business.

Our Majors are:

  • Accounting
  • Accounting Systems and Analytics
  • Economics (BA & BS)
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing 
  • Sport Management - NON AACSB ACCREDITED

Beta Gamma Sigma

The Wehle School of Business at Canisius University houses a chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma.  Beta Gamma Sigma is the premier honor society recognizing academic achievement in business education.  Lifetime members of the Society have earned the right to be considered the "Best in Business." Juniors and Seniors must rank in the top 10% of the class, and graduate students who graduate in the top 20 percent are eligible for membership.

Professional Student Organizations

The WSB sponsors a number of professional student organizations that provide a range of professional development opportunities for students preparing for careers in business. These organizations host workshops, seminars, networking events and tours of local businesses. Many of the student groups engage in community-based projects, using their business skills to help others and create a positive impact on the local economy. Some of the groups participate in competitions with other colleges from across the country. These competitions give students an opportunity to develop their skills and gain national recognition. The professional student organizations in the Wehle School of Business have been recognized by a number of external industry groups for their exceptional programming, leadership and success in competitions. Students are encouraged to become active in a professional student group early in their college career. Current student groups include:

  • Accounting Society
  • APICS - The Premier Professional Association for Supply Chain Management
  • Golden Griffin Fund (GGF)
  • Society for Economics & Finance
  • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

External Business Programs

The Women's Business Center

Located in Science Hall, the Women’s Business Center (WBC) empowers entrepreneurs to succeed through education, connections and community by developing leaders, fostering opportunities and building collaboration. The WBC was established by the Richard J. Wehle School of Business in 2003 to support the success of entrepreneurs and small business owners with a focus on women in Erie County and the surrounding region including Buffalo, Rochester, Jamestown and Niagara Falls. The WBC provides services in small business development: training, counseling, coaching, and networking. Networking serves as a major component of all programs to ensure that every participant has made appropriate connections with business and community resources.  Faculty and students at Canisius frequently connect with area entrepreneurs and small businesses through programs offered by the Women’s Business Center.  These connections often result in mutually beneficial relationships that contribute to the economic strength of the local and regional economy. For additional information and a listing of WBC programs and upcoming events, visit the official WBC website

Undergraduate Majors & Departments

Majors Department
Accounting (120 Hr.) & Professional Accounting (150 Hr.) Accounting
Business Wehle School of Business
Accounting Systems and Analytics Accounting
Economics Economics/Finance
Finance Economics/Finance
Management Management & Marketing
Marketing Management & Marketing
Sport Management Sport Management

In addition, dual majors are available in these areas or in combination with other majors outside the Wehle School of Business.  

Undergraduate Minors & Departments

Minors Department
Business Management Minor (for majors outside the Wehle School of Business) Management & Marketing
Economics Minor Economics & Finance
Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management Minor Management & Marketing
Human Resources Management Minor Management & Marketing

The Wehle School of Business also offers graduate programs that lead to the degrees of Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Business Administration – Accounting (MBAA), Master of Business Administration in Professional Accounting (MBAPA), a Master of Science in Finance, a Master of Science in Business Analytics, a Master of Science in Sport Administration, and a Master of Science in Sport Product Development.  These degrees are described in the Graduate Catalog.

BS/BA and MBA or MBA in Professional Accounting (MBAPA) Dual Degree Program

Contact: Laura McEwen, Associate Dean and Director of the Graduate Business Programs
Bagen Hall 205B | 2001 Main Street | Buffalo NY 14208 | 716-888-8280 | mcewenl@canisius.edu

For additional information, contact wsbadvise@canisius.edu 

Program Description

Canisius students only.

This program enables qualified students in most majors to earn an undergraduate degree and a Master  in Business Administration (MBA) within a five-year period or an MBAPA in six years. During the first three years, students take courses to fulfill their core curriculum and major-area requirements, saving electives for their senior year. In their senior year, students complete their undergraduate requirements and use free electives to take a series of introductory graduate courses. They complete the MBA requirements in the fifth year.  Students with AP credits or transfer credits may be able to complete the program in less than five years.

BS/BA Dual Degree Admission

Application is made by students in the spring semester of their junior year. Admission to the program will require meeting current MBA admission standards. 

Learning Goals and Objectives

OUR LEARNING GOALS

We are committed to developing professionals who have depth of expertise in business functions combined with breadth of leadership and professional skills for success in today's dynamic business environment.  Our graduates will:

  • Understand ethical behavior and sustainability concepts.
    • Canisius graduates will be able to identify principled and ethical solutions to business problems.
    • Canisius graduates will be able to assess the potential social, economics, and environmental impact of business decisions on relevant stakeholders.
  • Make well-informed business decisions by demonstrating the ability to identify and solve business problems and explain meaning of results.
    • Canisius graduates will be able to interpret data, employ quantitative reasoning, and apply appropriate analytical tools to derive data-driven decisions.
    • Canisius graduates will be able to evaluate and incorporate contextual information in the decision-making process [and generate positive solutions].
  • Understand how functional areas of business impact business strategy.
    • Canisius graduates will understand how functional areas impact business strategy, and give examples as to how decisions in these areas can be structured to improve organizational performance and positively impact all stakeholders.
  • Be career-ready professionals who are prepared to lead.
    • Canisius graduates will articulate career goals, prepare a professional resume, demonstrate behavior-based interviewing techniques, and develop a professional network.