Masters in Management

In the CU Denver MS in Management program, you’ll gain the expertise to manage interpersonal dynamics, design effective organizations, lead change initiatives, and manage human resources. With a career-focused approach, this degree equips you to take on leadership roles in your organization or excel in nearly any professional setting to drive successful outcomes.

Unlike an MBA, which covers a broad range of business functions such as accounting and finance, the Master’s in Management program specializes in the human and organizational aspects of business. You’ll delve deeply into topics such as organizational change, leadership, and strategy, gaining advanced knowledge to lead with confidence.  

Taught by industry-expert faculty who conduct high-quality research, publish in top journals, and bring extensive real-world experience, this program offers a balance of theoretical insight and practical application. With a fully online curriculum, you have the flexibility to build your degree around your schedule and career needs.  

Graduates of the program also benefit from lifelong access to CU Denver’s Business Career Center, a team with over 10 years of experience in recruiting and advising. With connections to more than 300 business partners, the Business Career Center provides exclusive opportunities to network with industry leaders. Services include:  

- Career workshops: Refine your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job search strategies.  
- Individual appointments: Get personalized guidance to explore your career path, review your resume, or participate in mock interviews.  
- Career events: Develop networking skills and connect with hiring managers from top companies.  
- Job announcements: Receive monthly updates on job and internship opportunities tailored to your degree in fields like project management, business analytics, and marketing management.  

The CU Denver MS in Management program positions you to lead and innovate in a variety of professional settings, providing the skills, network, and flexibility to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape.

The Masters in Management and Organization curriculum consists of 30 hours of core, specialization and elective courses.

Core courses (12 hours)

Begin your degree by building a strong foundation of leadership and organizational structure and change. Course topics include:

Specializations (optional - 9 hours)

Dive deeper into topics that matter most to your career. We offer three specializations, or you can choose courses that best align with your career goals. 

Electives (9 hours)

Explore other business courses relevant for your success. If you do not choose a specialization, you will complete 18 hours of electives. 

Specializations require 9 hours of related coursework. A specialization is not required. You can also select from electives in a self directed path.

Leadership and Change Management

Leading a team effectively is no small task. Concentrate on honing your skills so you’re ready to make your people your biggest competitive advantage. Course topics include:

• Visionary leadership
• Leadership development
• Bargaining and negotiation
• Business ethics and CSR
• Business strategy lab
• Sustainable change leadership

Business Strategy and Innovation

You’ll develop and implement strategic plans and learn how to effectively identify, design, and implement organizational change initiatives. Course topics include:

• Strategic management
• Business strategy lab
• Sustainable change leadership
• Bargaining and negotiation
• Business model development and planning

Managing for Sustainability

Companies are embracing social and environmental responsibility as a core business strategy. Learn about what businesses are facing in a world where resources are scarce, social safety nets are declining, and customers are concerned about a company’s investment in corporate responsibility. Course topics include:

• Business ethics and corporate social responsibility
• Marketing and sustainability
• Supply chain management
• Global climate change

Tuition

The cost of tuition for the Masters in Management degree is different for in-state and out-of-state students.

Residents of western states may qualify for in-state tuition. The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) requires students to maintain current residency of WRGP state until degree completion.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students. As a current student, you can apply for scholarships every semester. Some awards are based on program and course enrollment.

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit all application materials. Interviews are not a part of the admission process. To receive priority admission, we must have received your online application and all other required materials including transcripts and GMAT/GRE (if required by program) by the deadline.

You can check your admission status online through the account you created for the online application. You will receive a final decision by email within two to three weeks from the submission of all materials.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must have completed an undergraduate program at an accredited United States college or its equivalent in another country.
• No work experience or formal business education is required for admission, however, you may have to provide a GMAT or GRE score if you do not have enough work experience, see below.

The GMAT/GRE is not required for this program

The MS Management program does not require GMAT or GRE scores for their degree program as part of the graduate admissions requirements. The requirements are a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better from a US accredited four-year undergraduate institution or the successful completion of a graduate degree, and five or more years of full-time professional work experience.

However, if you received your bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of less than 3.25 or have less than 5 years of professional work experience, you will be asked to submit a statement that outlines other indicators of exceptional motivation, such as solid upper-division performance, GMAT or GRE scores, and other relevant professional experience. The MS Management admissions committee may require a minimum GMAT or GRE score for students that do not automatically qualify by GPA and prior work.

How Decisions Are Made

The admissions committee considers each candidate’s entire record of achievement. This is demonstrated through:

No work experience or formal business education is required for admission. However, professional experience strengthens your application. Candidates with less work experience can show potential through academic and experiential success.

For any questions, please contact our admissions team at bschool.admissions@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-8200.