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Russell Sage College and the Association of School Business Officials of New York (ASBO New York) have entered into an agreement that provides a tuition discount and deferred tuition payment options to its nearly 3,000 members on the college’s School District Business Leader (SDBL) and MBA to SDBL programs.
As part of a Workforce Development Partnership agreement with Russell Sage, ASBO New York members enrolled in the SDBL or MBA to SDBL programs will receive a 10% discount on tuition.
“This substantial discount significantly reduces the cost of education, saving participants thousands of dollars over the course of their degree journey,” said Russell Sage President Matthew Shaftel. “There is a critical need for school business officials throughout the state, and Russell Sage is committed to partnering with incredible organizations like ASBO New York to address this shortage.”
In addition to the tuition discount, upon signing an agreement approved by both parties, students may defer the remaining tuition until up to four weeks after the completion of each term. This flexibility allows students to plan and save for their educational investment, while also aligning the timing of employee tuition reimbursement benefits, eliminating the need to pay tuition upfront.
Both programs are offered online, so students can enroll from anywhere in the state.
“We are thrilled to partner with Russell Sage in providing prospective school business officials with an affordable opportunity to obtain their certification. Now, more than ever, the school business profession is in need of talented and capable individuals, and programs like Russell Sage’s SDBL is a vitally important entry into the profession,” said ASBO New York Executive Director Brian Cechnicki.
ASBO New York’s membership includes school business officials and staff from school districts and BOCES around the state, including students in School District Business Leader graduate programs and companies doing business with schools. ASBO New York supports the professional growth of its members, serves as the leading resource on school finance, and advocates to ensure quality education for all students.
Russell Sage’s 24-credit School District Business Leader advanced certificate program is offered online with an in-person internship and can be completed in 19 months to two years. Currently at $645 per credit before the tuition discount for ASBO New York members, it is among the most competitively priced programs in New York.
The SDBL to MBA program at Russell Sage provides an option for students who seek SDBL certification but do not have the required 60 graduate credits. Russell Sage’s Flex MBA is the most flexible MBA program in the region, empowering students to choose how they take their graduate classes each week – in person, via livestream, or online on their own time. This is unlike other MBA programs that require students to commit to one format.
The 36-credit Flex MBA program can be completed in three years if taken part-time, and is also among the most affordable MBA programs in the region at $725 per credit before the tuition discount for ASBO New York members.
MBA students at Russell Sage learn through case studies, engaging discussions, and a capstone project with businesses, nonprofits, or government agencies.
“We’re thrilled to strike this new partnership between Russell Sage and ASBO NY,” said Deborah Shea, program director and assistant professor of educational leadership, who previously led the popular SDBL, School Building Leader (SBL) and School District Leader (SDL) programs at The College of Saint Rose, which closed in 2024. “I love bringing school business leaders into our online courses as guest speakers to increase networking opportunities, but I find we learn so much from our students, too. We’re eager to welcome ASBO members’ expertise into our courses.”