The exterior of the Carlson School of Management with the Minneapolis skyline behind it.

Minnesota Carlson Launches Professional MBA Program

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

In January 2027, Minnesota Carlson will launch its new Professional MBA program, a redesign and merger of the school’s Online MBA and Part-Time MBA programs that maintains flexibility for working professionals while equipping them with today’s in-demand business skills.

To inform the extensive program update, a committee analyzed student input, market and employer voices, and benchmarked the competitive MBA landscape. The comprehensive research entailed reviewing 160,000 job postings, conducting dozens of interviews with corporate and business school leaders, surveying alumni, studying enrollment data and institutional and industry reports, and more — all to determine how to reshape the program to match how students want to learn and what employers want them to know. This drove curriculum changes in five key areas:

  • Leadership development
  • Durable interpersonal and problem-solving skills
  • AI and technology management
  • Transformative experiential learning
  • Role- and industry-based specializations

Through the new experiential learning requirement, students pick from a menu of hands-on courses ranging from a consulting project or the Medical Industry Leadership Institute Global Valuation Lab, to new product design and business development.  

Key Takeaways

Redesigned MBA Program: Carlson merges Online and Part-Time programs into the new Professional MBA launching Jan 2027.  

High-Impact Curriculum: Extensive research drives new focus areas in AI management, leadership, hands-on learning, and more.

Flexibility: Students can take courses online, on campus, or both, and also build connections via new in-person residencies.
 

 

“Our comprehensive research shows employers want business leaders who are savvy with AI and other emerging technologies, while also adept at critical thinking to navigate complex situations,” said Professor Mary Zellmer-Bruhn, associate dean of graduate programs. “The Professional MBA program thoughtfully incorporates hands-on learning experiences where students enhance and apply skills that prepare them to tackle the business challenges of tomorrow.”

The restructured 52-credit program (largely consisting of two-credit, seven-week courses) is designed to be completed in two to four years. Students can also tailor their education through specializations — such as finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, AI and analytics, and more — to help support career advancement or pivot to a new field.

The new program offers added flexibility. Students can choose to take courses in person, online or a mix of both. Additionally, there are three new required in-person residencies. These short-term, immersive experiences were intentionally designed to offer community building with peers, engagement with the Carlson Business Career Center, networking with employers, as well as international education opportunities.

“The Professional MBA program provides a more cohesive student experience by combining continued course flexibility with the new residencies,” said Phil Miller, assistant dean of MBA & MS programs. “It creates meaningful connections with classmates and our campus community while also providing greater opportunities to tap into Minnesota Carlson’s unique partnerships within the thriving Twin Cities business landscape and the school’s global network.”

The Professional MBA program builds off a legacy of strong alumni outcomes from Carlson’s previous Online and Part-Time MBA programs for working professionals. 68% of students who graduated from these programs in 2025 made a significant job change and received a 40% average salary increase from program start to completion.

Carlson’s Online MBA and Part-Time MBA programs will sunset in place of the Professional MBA program. Current students will remain under the degree requirements that were in place when they started their MBA program. New available required course options will change in spring 2027.

The application to start the Professional MBA in January 2027 for the spring semester is now open. Apply today.

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