University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management

The Carlson School Full-Time MBA is a two-year program. Experiential learning, through the required Enterprises and International Experience, is the hallmark of the program. Students gain an effective grounding in fundamental business knowledge across all management functions and a broad spectrum of industries. Students have the flexibility to take electives that best meet their career goals and build functional skills that will differentiate them in the job market.

The Carlson School Enterprises bring classroom theory to life. A requirement for all students, the Enterprises are consultancies led by a professional director with academic involvement and oversight and staffed by students. Unlike typical case projects, clients pay the Carlson School competitive consulting fees in return for real-world results. The Enterprises challenge students with high-profile business projects that demand in-depth strategic planning, problem-solving, presentation and bottom-line results. Students are supported and guided by a team of directors with deep experience in each enterprise area.

Funds Enterprise – Includes opportunities to manage assets distributed between small-cap growth and fixed income funds while analyzing industries and making portfolio recommendations.

Consulting Enterprise – This consultancy provides business solutions to clients and focuses on strategy, supply chain and operations, and technology.

Brand Enterprise – Equipped to provide all the services of a professional marketing and brand consulting firm, this Enterprise addresses brand and marketing challenges faced by Fortune 500 companies, new businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

Ventures Enterprise – Students in this Enterprise work with entrepreneurs, researchers, and business experts to assess new technologies and startup opportunities, and to develop business plans, financial projections, and marketing analyses.

The international experience called the Carlson Global Discovery Program takes place during the latter half of fall semester of year 2 with a two week required international trip in January. Multiple sections will exist with each section going to a different international location. Common themes will guide each group and students will engage in a half-day forum that involves a comparative analysis of different regions.