D'Amore-McKim School of Business

D'Amore-McKim School of Business is the business school of Northeastern University, located in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1922, it is recognized for integrating rigorous classroom study with its signature experiential learning model, prominently featuring cooperative education (co-op). The school offers a comprehensive portfolio of programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and executive education, with a strong focus on emerging fields like analytics, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

History

The school traces its origins to 1922, when the College of Business Administration was established within Northeastern University, then primarily a commuter school serving the Boston area. Its early curriculum was heavily influenced by the Lowell Institute and focused on practical, industry-relevant education. A transformative moment came in 1962 with the launch of its cooperative education program for business students, embedding real-world work experience directly into the degree path. In 2012, the school was renamed following a landmark $60 million gift from alumni Richard D'Amore and Alan McKim, founders of Advent International and Clean Harbors, respectively. This gift, one of the largest ever to a U.S. business school at the time, catalyzed significant expansion in faculty, research, and global programs. Under the leadership of former dean Raj Echambadi and current dean David De Cremer, it has continued to emphasize innovation in areas like artificial intelligence in business and digital transformation.

Academics

The school provides a wide array of degree programs anchored by its experiential model. Undergraduate students pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations ranging from finance and marketing to supply chain management and business analytics. All undergraduates complete at least one cooperative education work placement, often with corporate partners like Fidelity Investments, PwC, or Wayfair. Graduate offerings include a full-time and part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA), specialized master's degrees in fields such as finance, accounting, and innovation, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program. A distinctive feature is the MS in MBA/Master of Science in Finance (MSF) dual-degree. The school also houses several executive education formats, including an Executive MBA and custom programs for organizations like The Boston Company and Liberty Mutual. Its curriculum is consistently ranked by publications such as U.S. News & World Report and Financial Times.

Campus and facilities

The school is primarily housed in the Hayden Hall and Dodge Hall buildings on Northeastern University's main campus in Boston's Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood. A major modernization project, the EXP building, opened in 2022 to provide cutting-edge collaborative and experiential learning spaces. Key facilities include the Alfred J. West Jr. Trading Room, a live financial data lab with terminals from Refinitiv, and the 360 Huntington Fund, a student-managed investment portfolio. The Michael and Laura Zak Center for Entrepreneurship offers incubator space and mentorship, while the Sherman Center for Engineering Entrepreneurship Education facilitates cross-disciplinary projects with the College of Engineering. The school also maintains a presence at Northeastern's Toronto campus and through its Charlotte location, supporting its graduate and executive programs.

Centers and institutes

Research and industry engagement are driven by several specialized centers. The Center for Emerging Markets focuses on strategies for doing business in developing economies, led by scholars like Ravi Ramamurti. The Social Enterprise Institute promotes initiatives at the intersection of business and societal impact. The Healthcare Policy and Research center analyzes trends in the healthcare industry, while the D'Amore-McKim Analytics Institute spearheads research in data science and business intelligence. The Center for Family Business, in partnership with organizations like Ernst & Young, provides resources for family-owned enterprises. These centers often collaborate with Boston-area institutions such as Massachusetts General Hospital and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on applied research projects.

Notable people

The school's community includes distinguished alumni, faculty, and benefactors. Notable alumni encompass business leaders like Stephen R. Karp (founder of New England Development), Paul T. Dacier (former executive vice president of EMC Corporation), and Wendy Estrella (vice president at Google). Influential former and current faculty include innovation scholar Tucker J. Marion and finance expert Harlan Platt. The school is named for major benefactors Richard D'Amore, co-founder of Advent International, and Alan McKim, founder and CEO of Clean Harbors. Other notable supporters include Michael J. Zak, namesake of the entrepreneurship center, and the late alumnus Alfred J. West Jr., who endowed the trading floor.