MBA & MS in Applied Economics

Set Yourself Apart as a Business Economist

The Master of Science in Applied Economics (MS-APEC) and Master of Business of Administration (MBA) prepare leaders who, armed with a thorough understanding of both applied economics and business, are ready to innovate, create, and inspire.  This dual degree provides tremendous benefits to students who will be:

  • Managers need to have the skills and knowledge of how to harvest, process, and analyze data to extract important insights as they relate to business, environmental and resource economics, food systems, and development and trade.
  • Supervisors who understand the intersection between both roles in a corporation.
  • Leaders who are trained in high-level management and leadership competencies that extend across these sectors

The APEC/MBA degree combines the strengths of two existing programs from the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota; creating unique learning opportunities for students that allow them to employ their skills and knowledge to areas outside the traditional single-degree career paths.

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More Information About APEC-MBA

Candidates must apply for both programs and be admitted separately in order to pursue the dual degree. Candidates may apply for both programs at the same time or current APEC students may apply to the Full-Time MBA Program during their first year of study in the APEC program.

MBA Application Dates - Fall Start

RoundSubmission DeadlinesDecision Notification
Round 1October 1November 15
Round 2December 1February 1
Round 3February 1March 15
Round 4 April 1May 15

Deadlines that occur on a weekend or holiday are extended through the next business day. We will review applications beyond our final round deadline on a case-by-case basis.

 

GRE/GMAT: Students who are applying concurrently for a Full-time MBA/dual degree program in which the respective partner program does not require a standardized test this year can apply for a GMAT/GRE waiver. Applying for the waiver does not guarantee it will be granted and the Admissions Committee may still require the applicant to complete MBA Math, submit additional materials or take the GMAT/GRE. Receiving a waiver does not guarantee admission.

MBA Admissions Requirements APEC Admissions Requirements

Students enrolled in the dual APEC/MBA program have the benefit of bolstering one degree with the other. Students in the APEC program will gain more extensive business skills that will give them an advantage in this arena as they are competing against other candidates that may not have a similar background in both applied economics and business. Likewise, students in the MBA program will learn how to further harvest, process, and analyze data as it relates to applied economics along with a background in agricultural, commodity markets and/or other food markets. A dual APEC/MBA degree will allow students with both degrees to function at the highest level of leadership in organizations both big and small.

Learn More About MBA Career Services

APEC-MBA students pay the tuition and fees at the school through which they are registered each semester. Scholarships are awarded separately by each program and are applied when a student is enrolled in that designated program.

All applicants admitted to Carlson are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. 

MBA Tuition & Financial Aid APEC Tuition & Financial Aid

Program Structure

APEC

Fall Semester

  • Applied Microeconomics
  • Methods of Economic Data Analysis
  • Graduate Seminar

Electives (choose 1):

  • Commodity Marketing
  • Food Marketing Economics
  • Global Trade

Spring Semester

  • Applied Macroeconomics

OR

  • Methods for Economic Data Analysis II
  • Graduate Seminar

Electives (choose 1):

  • Futures and Options
  • Business Economics and Strategy
  • Agricultural Cooperative

Summer 

  • Any Course or Internship Requirements

MBA

Fall Semester

  • Financial Management
  • Financial Accounting
  • Marketing Management
  • Supply Chain & Operations
  • Strategic Management

Spring Semester

  • Leading Others
  • Competing in a Data-Driven World
  • Business Ethics *
  • Leadership Development *
  • Global Experience *
  • Enterprise
  • Electives

Summer 

  • MBA Internship

*class can be taken in year 2 or year 3

MBA & APEC

Fall Semester (MBA)

  • Business Ethics *
  • Leadership Development *
  • Global Experience *
  • Electives

Spring Semester (APEC)

  • Master's Paper: Plan B Project
  • MBA Classes

*class can be taken in year 2 or year 3

NOTE: Depending on when you complete your global requirement, you can also do your MBA classes in the Fall and your HRIR classes in the Spring

To complete in this time frame students will carry a very demanding course load, but with a credit reduction benefit of a dual degree program.  At the end of three years, students will have completed a minimum number of 77 credits.  Students who complete the degrees separately would have to complete a minimum of 95 credits.  

Credit Distribution

To complete in this time frame students will carry a very demanding course load, but with a credit reduction benefit of a dual degree program.  At the end of three years, students will have completed 76 credits.

MBA = 52
HRIR= 24
Transfers= 18 total

Full-Time & Part-Time MBA Programs

Email: ftmba@umn.edu
Phone: 612-625-5555

Full-Time MS-APEC Program

Email: apecdgs@umn.edu
Phone: 612-625-3777
Website: Master of Science in Applied Economics Degree Information