MBA Specializations
Customize Your MBA to Your Unique Goals
In the Carlson School of Management MBA programs, you'll gain an effective grounding in fundamental business knowledge — from theory to practical strategy — across all management functions and a broad spectrum of industries. In addition to your core courses in the Full-Time MBA or Part-Time MBA, you can choose a specialization or combine electives to customize the program to your interests.
Our specializations offer an exciting avenue for students to hone their expertise in specific career sectors. You'll immerse yourself in fundamental business knowledge, spanning all management functions and diverse industries. With over 100 elective courses across multiple specializations, you have the power to tailor your MBA to suit your one-of-a-kind aspirations.
- No matter your specialization, you can graduate in an average of 2 years (Full-Time MBA) or an average of 3.5 years (Part-Time MBA).
- You have the option to complete a specialization or pick electives across functional areas that interest you.
- The MBA can be completed in online, on-ground, and hybrid formats.
Explore Our Specialized MBA Options
In a Carlson MBA program, you have the freedom to pursue a wide variety of electives and specializations to develop a solid functional expertise in leading career sectors that interest you. Specializations are optional to pursue but provide a great way to showcase your expertise.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
A specialization in entrepreneurship is an ideal choice for students who wish to launch their careers in consulting or new business creation, or who simply want to catapult their career to the next level.
- The New Venture Track
- The Corporate Innovation Track
Finance
A finance emphasis provides students with the essential knowledge about corporate finance and financial markets necessary for obtaining and succeeding in various financial career.
Food & Agribusiness
Take advantage of the thriving food and agribusiness environment at the University and in the Twin Cities region and learn about the future of food from farm to fork.
Information Systems and Digital Transformation
Gain the necessary skills to leverage IT to create efficient organizations characterized by standardized business processes and integrated data. Graduate prepared for increasingly compliance and security intensive environments.
Management
An emphasis in management provides students with vital knowledge and understanding of how to analyze the changing competitive landscape faced by organizations and leadership skills to develop and implement action plans.
- General Management
- Organizational Management
- Strategic Management
Marketing
The marketing specialization provides highly sought-after skills and competencies to succeed in the dynamic and diverse field of marketing.
Medical Industry Leadership Institute (MILI)
Students can complement their education with a medical industry specialization. By completing the specialization, students are automatically enrolled as a MILI Affiliate.
Supply Chain & Operations
A specialization in supply chain and operations provides skills in managing the flow of raw materials, finished goods, information and services to deliver maximum value to the consumer.
Sustainable Environmental, Social, and Governance Management
The Sustainable Environmental, Social, and Governance (SESG) Management specialization equips students to address climate, environmental, and social justice challenges by connecting them with organizations for real-world problem-solving. The program fosters creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship to develop solutions across various sectors. Students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle environmental, social, and governance issues locally and globally in Minnesota. This specialization is jointly sponsored by the Carlson School of Management, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and the Institute on the Environment (IonE).
Choose Classes to Customize Your Program
With an extensive menu of elective courses to choose from within the Carlson School and across the University of Minnesota, you will have the opportunity to personalize your pathway to meet your unique academic and career goals. Through the Elective Petition Process, you can petition up to eight credits of courses from across the University of Minnesota Twin Cities to count towards your MBA electives. Please note that MBA students are not eligible to complete official minors or certificates. Some common options for petitions include:
Stay Connected
We’d love to hear from you. Fill out the form, and we’ll be in touch shortly to learn more about your goals and how we can help.
Disclaimer
Specializations are optional to pursue and are not listed on transcripts or diplomas.