Cynthia Smith, a CPA, was looking for a graduate school business curriculum that would build on the skills she already had.

When she heard about the innovative courses at Quinnipiac’s College of Professional Studies, she was impressed.

“I had done a lot of reading about organizational leadership and the curriculum seemed to be right on target to what the business needs of today are,” she said. “I’ve always had people reporting to me or working on projects for me, and the curriculum was very tied in to that.”

As she became more involved, she discovered the course of study touched even further on skills she needs to apply every day in her position in financial systems analysis for an Ivy League university.

“It wasn’t just about finances or looking at numbers, it was managing human resources, how to work well with others and harness those energies,” she said. “For me it was more a growth opportunity, a way to expand in different areas and build on what I know.”

It helped, she said, that the program was accelerated and designed to fit her schedule.

“I didn’t want to take three or four years trying to do things at night and be tied down to being in a classroom at a certain time,” she said. “What I really liked was that it was a hybrid. You still have that personal connection with instructors and peers in your cohort, but you’re not limited by time and space.”