Students may specialize their MBA studies by aligning elective credits with a specialization. Specializations are available in the areas below.
Students may declare a specialization through communication with their advisor. Students are encouraged to contact their advisor before pursuing MBA electives to share specialization plans. Most specializations require at least one year of enrollment to complete.
Course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.
The Business and Managerial Analytics (BMAN) Specialization offers a STEM designated MBA pathway and is designed to prepare students to leverage an organization’s data to inform business decision making and risk reduction. Through analytics electives, students build industry-specific analytics knowledge and experience. Students may also choose to take electives from multiple focus areas. Students will need at least one calendar year of enrollment to complete the BMAN specialization. Please see the MBA-BMAN website for information about courses and scheduling.
The Clinical Immersion in Medical Device Design Specialization offers students with an engineering background the opportunity to 1) analyze surgical and other clinical procedures to understand how medical technology is used in the clinical environment, 2) communicate with and listen to clinicians to identify unmet clinical needs, and 3) integrate bioethical, legal, and regulatory considerations into the design and development of medical devices.
The specialization utilizes the unique aspects of the Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, blending faculty expertise and the clinical setting.
In addition to MBA admissions considerations, admission to the MBA with a Systems Engineering specialization requires a bachelor's degree in engineering and a minimum GPA requirement of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Students who do not meet the 3.000 requirement, but have completed one year of engineering work experience, will be reviewed and considered based upon a letter of recommendation from their supervisor to determine the applicant’s ability to complete advanced course work. Students will need at least one calendar year of enrollment to complete the specialization. ENGR classroom and clinical courses are often offered during business hours.
The Data Science & Artificial Intelligence Specialization offers a STEM designated MBA pathway and is designed to prepare students to enhance the business analytics foundations within the MBA core curriculum with depth of learning within data science and AI topics. Students will need at least one calendar year of enrollment to complete the specialization. COSC 5600 may be offered during business hours.
Students with prior learning in intermediate macroeconomics and intermediate microeconomics are well-prepared to pursue this quantitative specialization. Please contact your MBA advisor for approval. Students will need to pursue specialization courses within fall and spring semesters to complete the ECON specialization.
The Finance (FINA) specialization is an excellent path for professionals who want to grow within or transition into the finance sector or a finance-focused role. Students may specialize in Finance by completing 12 credits of FINA coursework. Graduate-level courses with the FINA subject code are eligible. See the bulletin MBA page for detailed information. Students will need at least one calendar year of enrollment to complete the FINA specialization.
The International Business (INBU) specialization integrates the MBA Strategic Management Introduction course (MBA 6110) and therefore may be completed through 9 MBA elective credits. International students may substitute the travel abroad requirement for an advisor-approved course. Students will need at least one calendar year of enrollment to complete the INBU specialization.
Excellent leadership is embodied in exemplary service to others, especially customers, employees and communities. To become an excellent business leader requires a balance between technical, and ethical interpersonal skills, with the latter becoming increasingly important as one achieves more leadership responsibility within an organization. The focus of the leadership specialization is to teach these skills reinforced through multiple applications to complex business situations. Students will need at least one calendar year of enrollment to complete the LEDR specialization.
The difference between firms that succeed and those that don't is often found in how effectively they market themselves. The Marketing specialization enables students to pursue diverse areas of learning and skill development within the marketing discipline. Students may specialize in Marketing by completing 12 credits of MARK coursework. Graduate-level courses with the MARK subject code are eligible. See the bulletin MBA page for detailed information. Students will need at least one calendar year of enrollment to complete the MARK specialization.
The Sport Business specialization is available to students pursuing the JD/MBA and integrates the MBA Strategic Management Introduction course (MBA 6110), The specialization may be completed through 9 LAW elective credits transferred to MBA elective requirements.
The Systems Engineering Specialization offers a STEM designated MBA pathway and prepares practicing engineers to assess and manage risk, striking a balance among competing objectives. By completing this certificate, students develop the skills and knowledge required to solve complex systems engineering problems in a variety of domains using current tools and approaches. In addition to MBA admissions considerations, admission to the MBA with a Systems Engineering specialization requires a bachelor's degree in engineering and a minimum GPA requirement of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Students who do not meet the 3.000 requirement, but have completed one year of engineering work experience, will be reviewed and considered based upon a letter of recommendation from their supervisor to determine the applicant’s ability to complete advanced course work. Students will need at least one calendar year of enrollment to complete the specialization. ENGR courses are often offered during business hours.
