Manage your own success
Breadcrumb
Credit hours: 30
Full-time, part-time
Online and evening class options
Fully online option
Start terms: fall, spring, summer
GMAT/GRE Optional
Lead your team to the next level
This degree prepares you for leadership roles in both public and private sector organizations. Our students are professionals who challenge themselves to become stronger leaders ready to make the big decisions. Dive deep into one of four specializations that allow you to tailor your degree or customize the program to fit your needs.
specializations to
tailor your degree
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Classes offered in
the evening and online
Top ranked faculty leading
the field in their research
"Probably the most powerful impact of completing the MS was the feeling of confidence that it gave me to be able to put myself forward for roles that I would not have felt I was prepared for prior to graduation."
– Christine Devaud '01
In our MS Management and Organization program, you’ll understand how to manage interpersonal dynamics, effectively design organizations, and manage human resources and lead change. A career-focused group, our students are looking to take a leadership role in their organizations to drive change.
Unlike an MBA which covers a number of different business functions, such as accounting and finance, this degree specializes in the human and organizational aspects of business. You'll dive deeper into topics such as organizational change, leadership, and strategy.
No matter if you’re taking lectures on campus or participating online, you’ll be taught by a mix of expert faculty who do high-quality research and have extensive work experience in diverse organizations. CU Denver management faculty have consistently published in top journals for their research.
You'll have full access to our Business Career Center team for life. With over 10 years of recruiting and advising experience, they'll help you navigate your way through the corporate recruiting process. Our connections to over 300 business partners provide exclusive opportunities to network with industry leaders. Their services include:
- Career workshops – perfect your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job search process
- Individual appointments – explore what your personal career path looks like, review your resume, or schedule a mock interview
- Career events – hone your networking skills and meet hiring managers from top companies
- Job announcements – monthly emails with the latest job and internship opportunities specific to your degree
The MS 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:
- Leading individuals and teams
- Leading organizational change
- Designing effective organizations
- Managing people for competitive advantage
Specializations (optional - 9 hours)
Dive deeper into topics that matter most to your career. We offer four 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. Please note that not all specializations can be completed entirely online.

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
We also offer this degree entirely online. The online program has the same requirements as the on-campus program and is taught by the same professors. You can blend campus courses, hybrid courses, and fully online courses to fit your schedule.
For the MS Management degree, the core classes are all offered online. However, not all specializations can be completed entirely online. The following specializations can be completed entirely online.
- Leadership and Change Management
- Managing for Sustainability
- General Track
MS Management
Collaborate effectively, leverage teamwork, and demonstrate leadership skills within diverse business teams and different business settings.
Develop human resources and make managerial decisions that support employee development and organizational success.
Evaluate external and internal environmental characteristics and their impact on organizational design and management decisions.
Analyze how management decisions and organizational design align with an organization’s goals and strategy.
Analyze how to lead in various organizational contexts to meet organizational and stakeholder goals, including organizational change.
Analyze ethical dilemmas within their legal and social contexts and make decisions in the best interest of employees, the organization, and other key stakeholders.
Apply effective professional communication skills to business situations.
These objectives are assessed in relevant courses across the curriculum using term papers and exam questions.
Careers in Management
Management is an extremely versatile major that prepares students for careers in nearly all corporate, public sector, and non-profit organizations. Students who complete a management degree acquire the necessary perspective and skills to work toward leadership positions in almost any professional setting. Examples of typical management career paths are below. In addition, with carefully selected and focused electives, you can tailor your management major to pursue any of the careers below within specific spheres of interest such as healthcare, technology, or sustainability.
Examples of management career paths:
- Banking and Investment Services
- Consulting
- Entrepreneurship
- Personnel/Talent Recruiting
- Personnel/Talent Coaching and Development
- Human Resources
- Sales and Client Development
Visit our Careers page for more detailed information on the resources available.
Tuition
The cost of tuition for the MS 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.
Prospective students (not yet admitted):
Newly Admitted and Continuing Students:
You can apply for additional scholarships every semester of enrollment. Some awards may be specific to individual programs or enrollment in specific courses. Certain specializations including risk management and insurance, commodities, and entrepreneurship have additional scholarship opportunities.
Dual degree options for Master of Science programs include all of our MBA programs and all Business School Master of Science programs. We design a specific degree plan so you get through both programs as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. The amount of credits in each dual degree depends on the amount of overlap between degree programs. Eligible Master of Science programs include:
- MS Accounting
- MS Business Analytics
- MS Finance and Risk Management
- MS Global Energy Management
- MS Information Systems
- MS International Business
- MS Management
- MS Marketing
If you are applying for both degrees, you will only need to submit one online application and pay one application fee. Be aware that you must meet specific admission standards for each degree. For more information about dual degree options and the application process, please contact BSchool.Admissions@ucdenver.edu.
Application Checklist
$50 domestic, $75 international application fee
Online application
Official transcripts from each college or university attended
Essay responses
Resume
GMAT/GRE optional
English language proficiency—international applicants only
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:
- Academic transcripts
- Essay responses
- Work experience
- Extracurricular and community activities
- Letters of recommendation if applicable
- GMAT/GRE scores if applicable
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.
International Students
International graduate applicants must have their academic credentials evaluated by either Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES). If you have already had an international credential evaluation from another company, please contact CU Denver International Admissions at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu to determine whether it meets our requirements.
To meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) criteria, you must showcase your proficiency through different exemptions or an English Language Proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo).
To determine English Language Proficiency (ELP), you must complete one of the following criteria. Please note for Business School graduate programs the minimum TOEFL score requirements of 83 (IBT) or 560 (PBT).
Plan to submit materials early to expedite processing. Deadlines apply to all required documents.
Fall
Domestic Applications
- Priority: April 15
- Final: July 15
International Applications
- Priority: March 15
- Final: May 15
Spring
Domestic Applications
- Priority: October 15
- Final: December 15
International Applications
- Priority: September 15
- Final: October 15
Summer
Domestic Applications
- Priority: February 15
- Final: April 15
International Applications
- Priority: January 15
- Final: March 15
Our Business Career Connections (BCC) office connects top Denver employers to our students. They know what recruiters are looking for and have a wealth of resources that you have access to as a student and alumnus.
As a student, you’ll have access to a number of high-profile guest speakers. Past speakers have included executives from across the country representing companies including:
- Amazon
- Ball Aerospace
- Kaiser Permanente
- Neurotech