In today’s constantly shifting global economy, staying current and “in the know” is no simple feat. Even if you are already working within a profession, game-changing ideas are emerging daily and are contingent upon crosscurrents from many different fields. Yeshiva University is addressing this explosion with four graduate programs that enhance already completed bachelors degrees and offer new and exciting specialties. As of September 2020, the Sy Syms School of Business is offering four graduate programs: master’s of business administration (MBA), master’s in accounting, master’s in taxation, and a new master’s in real estate. Due to the COVID-19 health pandemic, Fall 2020 classes will be offered online.
Guiding Sy Syms in these new ventures is Dean Noam Wasserman, who assumed the position in mid-2019. Dean Wasserman has taken a holistic approach to the graduate offerings, pioneering an effort to introduce common courses into each program that has resulted in all programs providing an integrated and well-rounded business education. Dr. Wasserman served as a Professor of Entrepreneurship at Harvard University Business School for 13 years prior to which he was a chaired professor and founding director of a center at the University of Southern California. He is the author of two Amazon #1 bestsellers in management and entrepreneurship titled “The Founder’s Dilemma: Anticipating and Avoiding Pitfalls That Can Sink a Startup” and “Life Is a Startup: What Founders Can Teach Us About Making Choices and Managing Change.” Wasserman earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, a BSE in computer science and engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BS from the Wharton School. He is the father of eight, and grandfather of three, and participates in a daily Daf Yomi.
Members of the vast alumni network of Yeshiva University, many of whom are industry pillars and pioneers, and some of the most prominent deal makers of New York City and the world, are active advisers on these four programs, offering courses, seminars, webcasts, and in-person visits and tours. They are committed to providing business connections to students upon their completion of the programs and in their search for employment opportunities.
The master’s of business administration (MBA) is a 48-credit, two-year part-time program. Rigorous courses are taught by successful, experienced, full-time faculty who are thought-leaders in their fields. In addition, guest speakers from many different industries guest lecture and speak with students. Sunday classes will be offered to accommodate weekday work schedules. Small classes allow for personalized attention, where connections are forged with leaders in the business industry. The MBA program focuses on entrepreneurship, leadership, and business ethics. A firm foundation in marketing, finance, strategy, data and accounting is offered through the courses. The MBA prepares you for the next step, whether it be a career start, a career change or the launch of something completely new and innovative.
The master’s in accounting is a 30-credit program designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in accounting or another business discipline and who wish to become a CPA in New York State. The program facilitates an easy transition from an undergraduate accounting program to the CPA exam and professional practice. Classes are geared to the schedule of working professionals. Renowned full-time professors bridge theory with real-time business practice. As students include professionals from every business sector, lifelong business connections are forged through the program.
The master’s in taxation, a 30-credit, one-year course, given two nights per week, trains students to master the discipline that shapes Fortune 500 decisions. With a world-renowned faculty with years of corporate experience and a powerful network of alumni, the MS in taxation is a crucial step in preparing yourself for the world’s top firms and prestigious positions. The program works toward the 150-hour requirement for the New York State certified public accountant (CPA) exam. The curriculum incorporates topics including corporate federal income taxation, state and local taxation, taxation of flow-through entities, tax practice and procedure, and research in contemporary topics. Classes are conveniently held two nights per week to accommodate working schedules.
The newest addition to the four graduate programs is the Mitzner Master of Science in Real Estate degree, launching this fall. The MSRE is a 36-credit program that can be completed in 11 months through a compact, full-time program or over the course of two years as a part-time student. The program will enable you to master the essentials of hard asset development, deal-making, financial modeling, analytics and quantitative evaluation, along with important legal, accounting and tax requirements. Courses will cover capital markets, valuation and market analysis, real estate law, urban economics, management and organization, real estate entrepreneurship, sustainable design and architecture, and urban design. A cornerstone of the new program is the real estate practicum, a project that allows students to utilize skills learned in the program and create a development simulation. Students design and build their development from concept through implementation with the opportunity to pitch their proposals to industry titans.
Despite the pandemic and uncertain economy, now, more than ever, is a great time to invest in yourself. A graduate business degree will provide you with skills and tools that will future-proof your career," said Dean Wasserman.
The Sy Syms School of Yeshiva University is well aware of the negative impact of COVID-19 on household finances. They are inviting interested candidates for their new graduate courses to contact Carl Liekham, director of recruitment and admissions, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss available scholarship opportunities for the fall semester.
By Pearl Markovitz
