Program Highlights
Degree Options
Associate in Science (AS)
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Students seeking a Business Administration degree at SUNY Cobleskill can explore a variety of degree options that are tailored to fit their career goals. Students in our Business Administration program graduate with a strong understanding of the basic components of business. Each student has the option to focus their studies on interest areas like accounting, entrepreneurship, financial services, forensic accounting, human resources, leadership, management, marketing, sports management, or sustainability.
Instruction focuses on applied learning through class projects and internship experiences to prepare students with the real-world skills they’ll need to either enter the workforce or pursue a graduate degree after graduation.
The Business Administration program at SUNY Cobleskill provides students with a flexible curriculum that emphasizes relevancy, diversity and practical application through projects and internship opportunities. The curriculum covers basic business skill areas like accounting, micro- and macro-economics, communications, marketing, and law. Applied learning projects provide plenty of opportunity for students to develop the real-world business skills critical to succeed after graduation. Students can specialize or broaden their education through elective courses.
Graduates from the BBA program will be able to:
Graduates from the AAS/AS program will be able to:
Possessing a Business Administration AAS or AS degree from SUNY Cobleskill opens opportunities for careers in a variety of business-oriented fields such as accounting, advertising and promotion, banking, entrepreneurship, financial services, government, human resources, marketing, procurement, retail, or sales. Graduates are well-prepared to join the workforce with their two-year degree.
A Business Administration degree from SUNY Cobleskill unlocks a world of possibilities for our graduates to lead rewarding professional careers in a variety of business-oriented fields. Career possibilities include work in government, non-profit, public, private, domestic, or global organizations, as well as self-employment. A broad business background also empowers graduates to enter a management track in any organization. Additionally, students who specialize through electives and internship experiences are prepared to begin careers in accounting, advertising and promotion, banking, business analysis, entrepreneurship, financial services, government, human resources, management, marketing, procurement, retail, or sales.
Graduates from our programs have pursued graduate degrees in accounting, business, and human resources at RIT, Rutgers, Sage College, and U Albany. Graduates have also started their own businesses including a meadery and a stained glass business. Recent graduates are employed by The Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown, Farm Credit, Enterprise, Game Stop, and Verizon.
A 405-hour internship is required for graduation in the BBA program. This is an opportunity for the student to get work experience applying their studies. The student can choose to do an international internship. Internships have been completed at all types of employers including Beech-Nut, Cooperstown Dreams Park, Green Wolf Brewery, McDonald's, the Congressional Award, and the United Nations, and many students have been offered employment as a result.
Noor Alsharafi '16, BBA
Intern at Marimba One
“Most importantly, I have learned how to work ethically, how to love what I do, and
how to be disciplined in my work.”
Full story on Media Hub >>
Romario Nicholas '16, BBA
Intern at United Nations Development Programme
“The internship itself provides me with resources to learn more about an organization
that promotes mobility amongst staff members in different parts of the world, which
is a path that I aim to pursue.”
Full story on Media Hub >>
Students can participate in a wide variety of study abroad programs. Our students also have the ability to complete their internships in other countries. We have had Business students study abroad or complete internships in Australia, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and Turkey.
SUNY Cobleskill has a number of articulation agreements with other universities in place, and new ones are always being pursued, that enable our graduates to be accepted into advanced degree programs. SUNY Cobleskill BBA graduates can be accepted into Rochester Institute of Technology’s Saunders MBA program, pursuing one of 15 graduate tracks at SUNY Cobleskill to reduce the time needed to earn an MBA by up to one year.
Professor Dr. Scott Ferguson joined SUNY Cobleskill’s faculty in 2008 after working for 20 years in HR Management
and 17 years as an Entrepreneur. He received an Ed. D. from St. John Fisher College’s
Executive Leadership Program. Dr. Ferguson has owned, developed, managed, and profitably
grown five small businesses. He has international experience through his education
and his global responsibilities in business. He has taught Decision Making, Entrepreneurship,
Ethics and Management, Financial Management, International Business, International
Marketing, Management, Management Communication, and Management Policies and Issues.
Additionally, he teaches a Business Plan workshop for small business owners, advises
the Business Careers Club on campus, and coaches student teams in the New York State
Annual Business Plan Competition.
fergusss@cobleskill.edu | 518-255-5462
Paul J. Gemmiti is Professor of Accounting and Financial Services and has taught a wide variety of
courses including accounting and finance courses at Siena College and The College
of Saint Rose. Paul is currently a member of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and the Financial Planning Association. His professional career included
Senior Accountant at KPMG Peat Marwick, CPAs, where he prepared tax returns for large
corporations and high net worth clients. He has consulted with several local and regional
CPA firms and has successfully operated his own tax and financial planning firm for
over thirty years. Paul has had over a dozen SUNY Cobleskill students work as interns
in his firm, many of which went on to earn their CPA or become employed in the accounting
or financial services industry.
In May 2016 Paul was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and
for many years he has been the recipient of the Faculty Appreciation Award for his
dedication to students.
gemmitpj@cobleskill.edu | 518-255-5565
Professor Katrina Pearl teaches courses in Marketing and Management. Prior to joining SUNY Cobleskill in
August 2015, she worked for Schenectady County Community College as an Assistant Professor
of Management and has several years of industry experience in accounting, finance,
and real estate. Professor Pearl teaches Principles of Marketing, Advertising & Promotion,
International Marketing, E-Marketing, Marketing Research, and Management. Her publications
include “The Influence of Culture and Implicit Beliefs on the Leadership Development
of Women in Global Higher Educational Institutions” presented at the International
Journal of Arts and Sciences Conference at Harvard University and “Faculty as Opinion
Leaders: A Major Source of Influence on Innovation Opportunity in Higher Education”
presented at The Northeast Business & Economics Association at Monmouth University.
pearlkm@cobleskill.edu | 518-255-5381
Dr. Patricia Nicelli Piatov joined the SUNY Cobleskill faculty as Assistant Professor
in 2017 and teaches marketing, consumer behavior, entrepreneurship, retailing, and
business communication. She has served as an instructor and chair of the Information
Technology Department at Jamestown Business College, and as instructor at Edinburg
University of Pennsylvania and the State University of New York at Buffalo Educational
Opportunity Center. She has consulting experience with Afloral.com, Vision Care Center,
and Mental_Floss magazine’s ecommerce group, and was a regional Business Development
Coordinator at Centimark corporation.
piatovpc@cobleskill.edu | 518-255-5732
Marcus T Browne
“I graduated with my Associate's Degree in Social Sciences and decided to work in
social development with a firm. I earned certifications and grew within the ranks
of the company, but I couldn't go any higher without a Bachelors. I decided to come
back to finish what I started in 2007. When I returned to SUNY Cobleskill, I felt
that my skills in the professional world were put to the test, and they were. I am
grateful for this as I sharpened my tools and gained new ones. SUNY Cobleskill and
its Business Program provided this opportunity.”
Quativea Campbell
"I would recommend a future college student to SUNY Cobleskill for business because
the department is great and hands-on. They will help you find an internship of your
interest or one that best fits you."
John Frith
“All of the Business Professors have either been in a Business firm or manager of
their own businesses. These professors not only teach the class but build on the lesson
by adding their personal business experience.”
Cassidy Lock
“I value, above all, the professors' passion and their investments in my education...Because
there are great professors who have wide ranges of business experiences to share.”
Sarah Mellor
“I love the learning environment here. Professors know you on a personal level and
are always willing to help. Being a transfer student, the eduction here at SUNY Cobleskill
is more hands-on than my previous school and you aren't just a number in the classroom.”