MBA: Management Specializations

Management Specializations Designed for Today's Workplaces

Choosing an MBA with a specialization in management from the Carlson School of Management will equip you with vital knowledge and understanding of how to analyze the changing competitive landscape faced by organizations. Full-Time MBA and Part-Time MBA students will graduate with the entrepreneurship skills to develop new business opportunities and implement action plans. Our graduates have the managerial knowledge to handle the challenges of innovation, manage a diverse workforce, and navigate complex landscapes within organizations. 

Choose a focus in:

  • General Management: Gain a well-rounded foundation in management that will help you in a variety of business environments
  • Organizational Management: Develop your leadership capabilities to manage teams, manage innovation and change, and manage a diverse and global workforce
  • Strategic Management: Learn skills to analyze the external environment of the firm and develop and implement strategic initiatives
format
Format

Full-Time: On-campus 
Part-Time: In-person, Online

duration
Duration

Full-Time: 2 years 
Part-Time: Average 3.5 years

work experience
Work experience

Full-Time: Average 5 years 
Part-Time: Average 6 years 

start date
Start date

Full-Time: Fall (September) 
Part-Time: Fall (September); Spring (January); Summer (June) 

Management Specialization Courses

Students complete 12 credits for a specialization. Which 12 credits you take will depend on the management specialization you choose. Please note, not all courses listed are offered every semester. Use the One Stop Class Schedule to verify each semester's course offerings and the assigned professor.

Choose 12 credits from the list that corresponds to the management specialization you're pursuing. 

General Management:

  • ENTR 6025: Introduction to Entrepreneurship - 2 credits
  • ENTR 6021: Developing New Ventures - 2 credits
  • ENTR 6023: Financing Business Ventures - 4 credits
  • ENTR 6036: Managing the Growing Business - 2 credits
  • ENTR 6037: Corporate Venturing - 2 credits
  • ENTR 6041: Initiating New Product Design - 4 credits
  • ENTR 6090: Topics in Entrepreneurship (credit varies)
  • MGMT 6004: Negotiation Strategies - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6031: Industry Analysis and Competitive Strategy - 4 credits
  • MGMT 6032: Strategic Alliances - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6033: Strategy Implementation - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6034: Strategic Leadership - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6035: Complex and Cross-Cultural Negotiations - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6041: Competing Globally - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6055: Management of Innovation and Change - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6071: Strategic Management of Technological Change - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6084: Management of Teams - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6085: Corporate Strategy - 4 credits
  • MGMT 6305: The International Environment of Business - 4 credits
  • MGMT 6402: Integrative Leadership: Leading Across Sectors to Address Grand Challenges - 3 credits
  • MGMT 6411: Corporate Responsibility - 2 credits

Organizational Management:

  • MGMT 6004: Negotiation Strategies - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6032: Strategic Alliances - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6033: Strategy Implementation - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6034: Strategic Leadership - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6035: Complex and Cross-Cultural Negotiations - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6041: Competing Globally - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6055: Management of Innovation and Change - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6084: Management of Teams - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6402: Integrative Leadership: Leading Across Sectors to Address Grand Challenges - 3 credits

Strategic Management:

  • MGMT 6004: Negotiation Strategies - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6031: Industry Analysis and Competitive Strategy - 4 credits
  • MGMT 6032: Strategic Alliances - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6033: Strategy Implementation - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6034: Strategic Leadership - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6035: Complex and Cross-Cultural Negotiations - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6041: Competing Globally - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6055: Management of Innovation and Change - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6071: Strategic Management of Technological Change - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6084: Management of Teams - 2 credits
  • MGMT 6085: Corporate Strategy - 4 credits
  • MGMT 6305: The International Environment of Business - 4 credits
  • MGMT 6402: Integrative Leadership: Leading Across Sectors to Address Grand Challenges - 3 credits

Additionally, we recommend students consider incorporating interdisciplinary courses to obtain a well-rounded business foundation. The following courses are suggested as complementary to a specialization in management. While they are not counted towards the 12 credits needed for the specialization, we believe they will be a useful complement to your education. 

  • ACCT 6102: Financial Statement Analysis - 2 credits
  • MKTG 6088: Strategic Marketing - 3 credits
  • MCOM 5515: Management Communication: Writing for Influence - 2 credits
  • MCOM 5535: Business Presentation Skills for Leaders - 2 credits
Management MBA students discussing class notes with professor

Grow Your Management Skills with an MBA

No matter your career aspirations, the Carlson School is here to support you. You can work with the Carlson Business Career Center (CBCC) to search for jobs, polish your resume, and practice your interview skills. It's a one-stop shop to help you on every step of your career journey.

A specialization in management is an ideal choice for students who wish to launch their careers in consulting, general management, new business development or simply catapult their career to the next level. Our graduates have taken jobs at the following organizations, among others:

  • 3M
  • McKinsey & Associates
  • Thomson Reuters
  • Best Buy
  • Cummins
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Boston Scientific
  • Deloitte Consulting, LLP
  • Target
  • United Health Group
Explore Careers
1.1 million

job openings are projected each year, on average, in management occupations1

$116,880

per year median annual wage for management occupations in May 20231

More Ways to Customize Your MBA

Explore our other specialization options:

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore some of our frequently asked MBA specialization questions below.

Apply to the MBA program using our online application. You will not apply to the specialization. Request information for the Full-Time or Part-Time MBA program and we're happy to answer any outstanding questions.

Generally, specializations require students to complete a track of 12-13 credits of courses within a specified subject area. Course recommendations for each specialization are outlined on the documents posted on the specialization webpage.

Yes. Choosing a specialization is not required, and you can change your pathway during your program to pursue another.

A specialization indicates your mastery of and demonstrated interest in a specific area of business, as well as your commitment to that area. Being able to tailor your degree to your goals makes you uniquely qualified for the roles you're planning to pursue after graduation.

Our graduates pursue a wide range of careers. Carlson graduates have pursued careers in consulting, general management, new business development, and more at a variety of organizations including 3M, Thomson Reuters, and Target.

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Source

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Management Occupations.