Onlines MBA Residency Options
As a busy working professional, you don't want to leave value on the table as you complete your degree. A residency program is a great way to maximize that value by enrolling in a unique face-to-face experience that combines academic learning and the opportunity to build a professional and personal connection with fellow classmates and the Carlson MBA community. A residency, simply put, is an enhanced MBA experience that provides access to industry leaders, faculty, career and student life programming.
Take the time and opportunity to increase your knowledge and experience through skills-based, signature and industry-focused courses in our Residency programs.
Online MBA Orientation
Orientation is a required immersive 3-day program from a Thursday - Saturday at the start of the program focused on providing student with the essential tools and resources for academic success. Students will have the opportunity to meet fellow classmates, mingle with career and student life staff, learn about University of Minnesota services as a graduate student, and plan their degree completion process.
Orientation will occur in August for candidates beginning the Fall semester and Spring orientation will occur in January.
Residency Options
Online MBA students have the choice of residency options to suit your needs in learning and flexibility. Students are required to complete a residency in addition to orientation prior to graduation, though students are welcome to complete more if they desire.
The Leadership & Personal Development Residency Program is not your typical MBA class. It is an enhanced experience that provides access to industry leaders, faculty, career, and student life programming over a week. The course combines networking, team building, career center workshops, and, of course, academics.
The in-person residency program not only fulfills a graduation requirement but also has been cited by previous students as one of the highlights of their academic experience.
“This class is a MUST TAKE. It’s the most impactful course to better understand yourself and your personal leadership capabilities. I’ve used what I learned in this class at least weekly since completing it. I’d argue it should be a core requirement. It’s definitely one you’d regret not taking!”
Coming out of the residency, you will be equipped with self-knowledge and tools that improve your confidence and capabilities to lead projects and teams across various roles and situations. Below is a mock course schedule for the week of residency.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Networking Dinner and Kickoff | ||
| Monday | Professional Development | Class Lecture | Happy Hour or Special Topics Dinner |
| Tuesday | Class Lecture | Interactive Class Workshop | Evening Programming or Small Group Dinners |
| Wednesday | Professional Development | Free Afternoon | Free Evening |
| Thursday | Class Lecture | Interactive Class Workshop | Networking Happy Hour and Farewell Dinner |
| Friday | Class Lecture |
Pre-work components: Completion of pre-course readings and pre-course modules
Post-work components: Completion of final class modules and main course deliverable assignment
Week-long residencies will likely occur in May/June, August, or January.
Online MBA students are welcome to register for the catalog of courses offered in the Part-Time MBA program. These can include weeknight evening courses or weekend condensed option courses.
MBA Course Formats:
2 Credit courses:
- A-term: first seven weeks of the semester, two-credit core or elective courses, meeting once a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 5:45 - 9:05 pm.
- B-term: last seven weeks of the semester, two-credit core or elective courses, meeting once a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 5:45 - 9:05 pm.
- Condensed: two-credit core or elective courses, meeting three full days. This course may meet for three consecutive weeks, every other week for three weeks or three times in two weeks. The timing of the condensed course offerings change each semester. We now have some condensed courses that meet 4-5 times for half-days.
3 Credit courses:
- All three-credit courses are core course, meeting once a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 5:45 - 9:05 pm.
4 Credit courses:
- All four-credit courses are elective course, meeting once a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 5:45 - 9:05 pm.. In summer, our 4 credit courses will meet twice a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 5:45 - 9:05 pm.
Global Enrichment Programs
These elective, intensive study abroad programs, allow you to explore many facets of a key business topic, expanding on a foundation started here at the Carlson School and continued abroad. Programs are taught entirely in English and offered between academic semesters. Past students have visited local and multinational firms in diverse locations such as the UK and India, while others have completed consulting projects for companies including 3M, Thomson Reuters, and Lenovo. Graduate Fellowships are available for Global Enrichment sessions, which have taken students to China, Austria, Poland, Costa Rica and beyond.
Global Immersion Programs
Global immersion programs give students the chance to dive deeply into a culture and study alongside other international students at partner universities throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania. All courses are taught in English, and you'll find a range of classes from both the host university's full catalog and more specialized business offerings. For more detailed information, please see the Education Abroad page. Graduate Fellowships are available for these unique education experiences in China, Belgium, Costa Rica, and more.
Unable to Travel Abroad?
Choose an extensive on-campus or online course for an in-depth exploration of international business, such as:
- MGMT 6305 International Environment of Business
- IDSc 6465 Global Sourcing of IT
- OMS/SCO 6081 Global Operations Strategy
- MKTG 6072 International Marketing (Online Only - does not count toward residency requirements)
- MILI 6997 - MILI Global Valuation Lab