The newly designed Marquette MBA curriculum is inspired by discussions with students, alums, faculty and most importantly, the business community. We have streamlined the curriculum by integrating courses across all of the functional areas of business. Our program focuses on business literacy, strategic decision making and leadership. Our Jesuit tradition means all of this is rooted in an ethical and global perspective.

Students take courses that make sense for their background and for their career path.  Those who don’t have a business undergraduate degree will take two integrated business essentials classes where they will learn the language and functional areas of business and how to apply these concepts to their work place challenges.  All MBA students will take classes in decision making, ethical perspectives, strategy and leadership.  Students then have the flexibility to further explore issues in-depth by completing advanced core and elective courses in particular functional cross-disciplinary areas. While a specialization is not required, students have a number of areas of specialization to choose from. Students are encouraged to take classes that are not in their comfort zone.  We want students to challenge themselves and explore new areas.

Quick facts about the new curriculum

Total credits      33-39 credits including 12 to 15 credits of electives.
Average time to completion 2 years
Delivery format      Most of our classes are taught in a face to face environment, but students have opportunity to take online or hybrid/blended classes. 
Class times     Typically one night a week from 5:30-8:15
  • Curriculum Overview
  • Learning Outcomes
  • Specializations

For a graphical layout of requirements, see the MBA Program Flowchart

This newly designed curriculum streamlines courses through integrated content giving students the coverage they need in a more efficient way.

Students take courses that make sense for their background and for their career path.  Those that don’t have a business undergraduate degree will take two integrated business essentials classes where they will learn the language and functional areas of business and how to apply these concepts to their work place challenges. 

All MBA students will take classes in decision making, ethical perspectives, strategy and leadership.  Then students have the flexibility to further explore issues in depth by completing advanced core and elective courses in particular functional areas such as finance, marketing, human resources and more. While a specialization is not required, students have a number of areas of specialization that they can choose. Students are encouraged to take classes that are not in their comfort zone.  We want students to challenge themselves to explore new areas with new challenges.

Business Essentials   9 credits
Accounting, Economics and Finance  4.5 credits
Marketing, IT and Supply Chain     4.5 credits
   
Decision Making Courses 4.5 credits
Quantitative Analysis*    1.5 credits
Business Analytics                                          3 credits
   
Ethics and Organizations 3 credits
Concepts for Ethical Business Practice       1.5 credits
Corporate Social Responsibility     1.5 credits
   
Strategy 6 credits
Strategic Management Introduction  3 credits
Enterprise Risk Management     1.5 credits
Strategic Management Capstone 1.5 credits
   
Leadership 4.5 credits
Leading People and Change 1.5 credits
Leading Innovation and Creativity   1.5 credits
Leadership Coaching and Development 1.5 credits
   
Electives 12-15 credits


Students fulfill their electives by completing advanced core and elective courses in particular functional areas. While a specialization is not required, students have a number of areas of specialization that they can choose.

*NOTE: Students may be waived from Quantitative Analysis with proper undergraduate or graduate credit from an accredited school within the last 10 years with a grade of B or better.

Course descriptions are available in the Graduate Bulletin.

As one of many methods of assuring that the goals of our educational mission are successfully met, the college regularly and systematically engages in the assessment of a variety of competencies. As part of this assurance of learning, each program defines and collects data on learning outcomes; statements of the knowledge, skills and attitudes that we want our graduates to possess. We use them for continuous improvement and they are the criteria on which organizations such as AACSB evaluate our accreditation. The following is a list of the current Learning Outcomes in our MBA, EMBA and joint MBA programs.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive MBA (EMBA)

1. Perform the fundamental activities of business.
2. Communicate effectively in a business setting.
3. Navigate the global strategic issues facing a corporation.
4. Apply ethical reasoning to business situations.
5. Understand and apply business analytics in business decision making.

Specializations consist of 12 credits in a designated area of study.

  • The areas of Specialization are: Economics, Finance, Human Resources, International Business, Management Information Systems, Marketing and Operations and Supply Chain Management.
  • Specializations consist of 12 credits in a designated area of study as indicated below.
  • A maximum of 3 credits may double count between two specializations.  The remaining 9 credits must be unique to each specialization.
  • All courses applied toward a specialization must be taken at Marquette University.
  • The grades for courses applied toward a specialization must be “B” or better.
  • GSM courses not listed here, do not apply toward a specialization, but may be taken as electives.
  • Students are not required to specialize.

Course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.

For specifics on each of our specializations below, see our specialization list.

  • Economics
  • Finance
  • International Business
  • Marketing