Curriculum | MSM
In This Section
Customize Your MSM Degree with a Flexible Curriculum
The business world is agile, innovative, and full of opportunity. Your master’s degree should be the same.
The two-semester MSM program builds your business foundation and lets you tailor your career path with a specialization in Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Operations, or Strategy. A specialization requires 4 content area courses (24 units).
A Data Informed, Human Driven Approach to Business
The Intelligent Future℠ needs intelligent leaders. What better place to become one than Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business, the birthplace of the data-informed, human driven approach to decision-making?
Our curriculum reflects our analytical approach to business and provides students with exposure to emerging technologies. Here, you’ll be challenged with practical applications of your studies through project-based work.
Since every industry is tied to business, I see “business” as my gateway to exploring any field. Through my entrepreneurial and internship experiences, I realized the need to strengthen my quantitative analytical skills, which led me to join the Tepper School. I’m interested in the technology industry, and Carnegie Mellon is globally renowned for its expertise in computer science. Carnegie Mellon fosters creativity and Tepper School students often collaborate with School of Computer Science peers to establish tech startups.
Claudia (Shiyu) Zhang
MSM Class of 2025
MSM Specialization Areas
As a part of the Entrepreneurship specialization, you will choose from courses like Commercialization and Innovation, New Product Management, Lean Entrepreneurship, Funding Early Stage Ventures, Franchising, and Marketing for Entrepreneurship.
Want to further your knowledge in Finance? While all MSM students take a core course in Finance, if you choose to specialize in Finance, you’ll take a deeper dive into Finance with courses like Corporate Finance, Investment Analysis, Debt Markets, Sustainable Finance, Venture Capital, and Energy Finance.
All MSM students will take core Tepper Marketing courses which cover the fundamentals of creating, communicating, and delivering value to customers. In addition, Tepper Marketing courses teach students to leverage analytical techniques and skills in order to drive and make informed decisions. With a Marketing specialization, you’ll have the opportunity to take additional courses like Marketing Research, Pricing Strategy, Marketing in the Age of Sustainability, and Marketing for Entrepreneurship.
As part of the Operations specialization, you’ll have the opportunity to take additional courses like Six Sigma, Demand Management, Operations Research, Supply Chain, and Service Management.
As part of the Strategy specialization, you’ll have the opportunity to take additional courses like Organizational Learning and Strategic Management, Technology Strategy, Commercialization and Innovation Strategy, and Engagement & Inclusion and a Strategic Competitive Advantage.
MSM Curriculum
- Managing People and Teams
- Finance I
- Probability & Statistics
- Accounting I
- Experiential Learning
- Operations Management
- Marketing Management
- Early Career Presentation Skills
- Elective
- Experiential Learning
- Optimization
- Managerial Economics
- Elective
- Elective
- Elective
- Elective
- Elective
- Elective
Apply to MSM
In This Section
Do you want to light the spark of The Intelligent Future℠? Start Your Application Today.
We give equal consideration to every aspect of your application — goals, background, accomplishments — in order to determine if the Tepper MSM program is a good fit for you.
Your Tepper MSM application will contain a variety of components that provide the admissions committee information to assess your candidacy for our program. Through our review process, we do not assign specific weights to the various parts of the application.
Note to All MSM Applicants: To safeguard the integrity of the admissions process, Carnegie Mellon University routinely uses a third-party company, Re Vera, to conduct verification procedures of all candidates who accept our offer of admission.
MS in Management Admissions Deadlines
| Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline | October 14, 2025 | January 15, 2026 | March 4, 2026 | May 12, 2026 |
| Decision | December 10, 2025 | March 4, 2026 | April 30, 2026 | June 18, 2026 |
| First Deposit | February 9, 2026 | April 21, 2026 | May 26, 2026 | June 30, 2026 |
| Second Deposit | May 12, 2026 | May 12, 2026 | X | X |
Note for international applicants: Round 3 is the final round that you can apply for the full-time program.
MS in Management Application Instructions
Start by reviewing the application components below.
We ask you to provide a bit of personal, professional, and educational information to get to know you better. We suggest that you create your essay and goals and then sit down to complete the online form.
You'll only need about 30 minutes to complete the entire online application form. We provide a time estimate at the top of each page in the online application.
Note to All MSM Applicants: To safeguard the integrity of the admissions process, Carnegie Mellon University routinely uses a third-party company, Re Vera, to conduct verification procedures of all candidates who accept our offer of admission.
Upload a copy of your resume. The purpose of this document is to provide a snapshot of your education and professional achievements in your career. Use a standard (i.e. Times New Roman or Arial), 12-pt. font for your 1-2 page resume.
Pro Tip: It is important to include month and year for starting and ending dates for each position held. If this key information is not included, we will ask for an updated resume, which may delay your application.
Successful applicants will hold a four-year, bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or an equivalent degree from a foreign country. You will provide details of your education for each institution that you attended. Additionally, admission to the MSM program requires candidates to have taken one semester of college-level math. Those who do not meet this requirement will be required to successfully complete Tepper’s Calculus Fundamentals course prior to matriculation.
You will upload transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs you have attended or are attending. These may be copies of transcripts that you already have in your possession. However, these cannot be web transcripts. A web transcript is anything obtained from an online student portal, downloaded from your student record, or retrieved online.
Transcripts uploaded during the application process are considered “unofficial.” What makes a transcript "unofficial" is that you have it in your possession instead of us receiving it in a sealed, stamped envelope directly from your university.
Pro Tip: View a sample of a web transcript that you should avoid submitting.
All candidates are required to upload legible, scanned/digitized copies of their unofficial transcripts and degree certificates which include the following:
- University Transcripts: All transcripts are copies of actual university transcripts (not web transcripts), usually on watermarked paper with a seal, etc.
- Degree Name: If you earned a degree, the name is on the transcript (i.e. Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, etc.).
- Degree Conferral Date: If you earned a degree, the date the degree was awarded is on the transcript.
- Degree Certificate: If you earned a degree and the degree name/conferral date are not on the transcript, you must upload a copy of your degree certificate which includes this information. This cannot be a provisional certificate; it must be final. Still unsure what to submit? See sample degree certificates.
- Grading Scale: Include for every university so we know what the grades mean. Often on the back of the transcript; otherwise, contact the university to obtain. Still unsure what to submit? See sample grading scales.
- Official Translation: If the transcript is not in English, upload both the transcript in the original language and the official translated copy so that we can read it.
Pro Tip: If your uploaded transcript doesn’t include all the required information, we will need to contact you to send the missing items, and your application may be delayed.
Pro Tip: Official transcripts (those sent directly by the degree-granting institution) are not required during the application process. Should you be admitted, you will be required to submit official transcripts later.
The Tepper School accepts the GMAT (both new and previous editions), GRE (both new and previous editions), and Executive Assessment (EA). Successful candidates submitting an EA score will have extensive quantitative academic coursework and/or will have professional experience in a STEM-related field. One of these tests is required regardless of previous advanced academic work or professional experience.
We accept both in-person and online versions of the GMAT, GRE, TOEFL and IELTS.
Once we receive the official score, we will update your application checklist accordingly.
Request that the official score is sent to us using the following instructions:
- GMAT and Executive Assessment: Send official score to Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business
- GRE Program Code: Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business: 4883
Pro Tip: GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years and must be valid at the time you submit your application.
Pro Tip: If you have taken the GMAT/GRE more than once, report the highest overall score from any one testing date when completing the online application.
Our Tepper MSM program is focused on the success of our students in the classroom and in employment outcomes. The application process allows us to assess readiness of candidates and provide guidance in improving future academic and career outcomes.
We believe standardized exams are one way that business programs gauge academic readiness; however, while many Tepper MSM applicants will submit a GMAT/GRE/EA score, we also recognize there are multiple ways to demonstrate academic readiness. This is the reason we offer a test waiver option.
The Tepper MSM test waiver is an option for students who meet certain qualifications (exceptional quantitative coursework). Liberal Arts candidates with degrees in Humanities and Social Sciences would not be eligible for a waiver and would need to demonstrate necessary quantitative skill-set via the required coursework and by submitting an official GMAT or GRE test score.
Here is some guidance on our test waiver option:
- Waivers will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
- Waivers are evaluated on the basis of academic readiness for the Tepper MSM.
- If you are granted a waiver by the Admission Committee, it does not signal admission to the Tepper MSM.
- The admission decision will be based on a holistic review of the application.
- Even if you are granted a waiver, the admissions committee may require or recommend additional academic preparation prior to the start of the program that will improve your academic outcomes.
- Applying with a test waiver will not affect your eligibility for scholarship.
Upon submission of your application, the waiver request will be reviewed, and you will receive a response to the waiver request via email within 10 business days of the application deadline. Please note, only complete applications will be reviewed for test waivers.
Candidates are required to demonstrate a level of competence in English to meet the admissions requirements of the university. You are required to take a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exam unless:
- You attended an undergraduate institution, earning a bachelor’s degree, where the sole language of instruction was English.
- You earned a graduate degree where the sole language of instruction was English. (Although not required, we do recommend that you take the English Language Proficiency exam.)
You must request that the official score be sent from the testing agency to our program for us to verify the score entered into the application. Request that the official score be sent to us using the following codes:
TOEFL Program Code: Institutional Code = 2074; Organization: Carnegie Mellon University, Graduate Business Organization
- Pro Tip: The recommended TOEFL score is 25 on each section of the Internet-based test. Reading: 25, Listening: 25, Speaking: 25, Writing: 25
IELTS Program Code: Select Carnegie Mellon and the Tepper School of Business
- Pro Tip: The recommended IELTS score is 7 overall and 7 in each band. Listening: 7, Reading: 7, Writing: 7, Speaking: 7, Overall Band: 7
Duolingo Program Code: Select Carnegie Mellon University – Tepper School of Business
- The recommended Duolingo English Test (DET) score is 120 overall.
Pro Tip: TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years and must be valid at the time you submit your application.
Pro Tip: If you earned a degree from a non-U.S. institution, your academic documents should state that the sole language of instruction for the entire university was English in order to be eligible for a TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo waiver. If your academic documents don’t include this, you should upload an official letter from the University Registrar indicating English as the mode of instruction for the entirety of the degree.
There is one required essay (maximum 500 words) for all Tepper MSM applicants. You are now able to choose which essay question resonates most with you and how you can present your best application. Please choose 1 of the following 2 questions. We do not have a preference on which question you answer. Here are the 2 options:
- At Tepper, we value leaders who can make confident decisions when facing complexity and uncertainty. Tell us about a time when you had to take action without having all of the answers. How did you navigate the situation and what was the outcome?
OR
- The Tepper School of Business is committed to helping students reach their full potential by supporting their professional and personal transformation. How do you hope to transform, both professionally and personally, during your time in the program? Please describe your development goals and steps you plan to achieve them.
There also is an optional essay for additional information about your candidacy that you may wish to share with the admissions committee. Use this essay to convey important information that you may not have otherwise been able to convey. This may include unexplained resume gaps, context for recommender selection, etc. However, do not feel obligated to complete the optional essay.
We know this is an important component of your decision to attend business school. We take it seriously as well. Please describe your post-MSM career goals.
It would be helpful to consider the following information in your response:
- You have up to 2 minutes to respond to this question.
- Please be as specific as possible. If you have not yet identified specific companies, that is okay. Just tell us what interests you for your next role or company. What about the industry, company, or functional role is appealing to you?
- If you have any criteria you are using to evaluate career opportunities, please share those as well. We may have great opportunities to add to your list.
- How does this post-MSM career goal relate to your long-term career plan?
We require just one recommendation and ask you to select someone who can speak to your strengths in a professional setting and/or your leadership skill - ex: supervisor, professor, coach, mentor, etc. If you select a professor, make sure they've had you in class recently.
We use the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation (LOR). The Common LOR is intended to save you and your recommender valuable time by providing a single set of recommendation questions for each participating school. This allows your recommender to use the same answers for multiple letter submissions, alleviating the workload of having to answer different questions for each school multiple times. You benefit because it makes the ask for several different letters to be written on your behalf much easier.
A $125 application fee is required of all applicants. This fee can be paid online using a credit card at the time of submission.
Once you have completed your online application, if you have any supporting documents, they should be uploaded directly to your application via your application status page in the application portal.
If you have submitted all the application components, it isn’t necessary to send anything else to us at this point. Upon admission, you’ll need to send your official transcripts/academic documents. These details will be included in the admission letter, so no need to worry about it now.
Following submission of your application, you may be invited to interview with a member of our MSM Admissions team. Our evaluative interviews are by invitation only and are required.
We begin to invite applicants to interview within one week of the application deadline. However, you may receive an invitation any time prior to the decision notification date.
How We Conduct Admissions Interviews
At the Tepper School, the Admissions team conducts behavioral interviews. The behavioral interview technique is used to review a candidate’s specific experiences and behaviors in an attempt to predict his or her potential for success at the Tepper School.
We are particularly interested in learning about candidates' skills and perspectives on teamwork, leadership, success, and failure. To prepare, we suggest that you:
- Reflect on and clarify your short-term goals and your transition plan.
- Think about specific questions related to how you might advance toward your future goals.
- Identify specific examples when you have worked in a team, led a team, were challenged, succeeded, or learned something new.
Special Instructions
We welcome applicants from around the globe and encourage non-U.S. citizens to apply to the Tepper School MSM program.
If you are an international candidate, please see below for important information related to studying in the United States.
Certification of Financial Resources
As an applicant from a foreign country, you will be required to verify financial resources equal to the total cost of tuition and living expenses for the duration of the program. If admitted, students will be required to submit the following forms with appropriate supporting documentation in order to obtain a valid visa for entering the United States.
- Graduate Student Financial Statement including official documentation such as personal bank statements and letters of support from any sponsoring organizations.
- If sponsored by an employer or other third party, an Affidavit of Support including official documentation such as bank statements and verification of sponsor support.
Visa Regulations
Visa regulations can be quite complex, and it is the applicant’s responsibility to be aware of the regulations. Carnegie Mellon University has a foreign student advisor to assist applicants in visa matters, and we strongly recommend that you use this service.
The contact information for any applicant who would like to contact our foreign student advisor is:
Office of International Education
Carnegie Mellon University
Cyert Hall, First Floor Atrium
Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
412-268-5231
Email: oie@andrew.cmu.edu
The United States' visa-granting authority in the country of origin, ordinarily the United States Embassy, requires proof that sufficient funds are available to a student to cover both years of study before he/she is granted either the student visa (F-1) or an exchange visa (J-1).
Master of Science in Management
Not sure what your next career move should be? The MSM program at the Tepper School gives you the business fundamentals to pursue that next stage with confidence and clarity.
In This Section
Why Choose the MS in Management Program at Carnegie Mellon?
The Tepper School’s Master of Science in Management (MSM) degree program lays the foundation of your business knowledge.
With an emphasis on experiential learning and practical application, the MSM builds your fluency in business, leadership, and teamwork. In just nine months, you’ll graduate prepared to stand out in your industry of choice.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the role, functioning, and structure of a business
- Work successfully as part of a diverse team
- Communicate effectively and persuasively, verbally, in writing, and in presentations
- Apply analytics to business problems
- Have a depth of knowledge in a specific business problem
Key Features of the MSM Degree Program
- Nine months to completion: This two-semester, broken out into four minis, on-campus degree program accelerates your career path for fast workplace reentry and includes executive coaching.
- Five specializations: Specialize in Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Operations, or Strategy. All offer a strong emphasis on experiential learning and job search prep.
- STEM designation: STEM program graduates may be able to apply for a 24-month extension to their post-completion Optional Practical Training.
- Faculty expertise: Benefit from learning from and working alongside seasoned researchers and practitioners across business disciplines.
MS in Management Program Details
The MSM program at the Tepper School strengthens your quantitative skills and big-picture thinking through project-based work and a market-aligned curriculum.
The unique STEM designation for the MSM program gives you an advantage in the global business world. Employers worldwide immediately recognize this valuable designation. Combined with the backing of a Carnegie Mellon University credential, you will graduate with a competitive edge for any path you pursue.
The MSM degree program exposes you to core concepts in management, accounting, finance, marketing, and operations management. Through hands-on learning, you’ll build upon your undergraduate education, elevating your communication, leadership, presentation, and project management skills. Together, the MSM curriculum positions you as a savvy business professional primed for success across sectors.
Customize your MSM experience by choosing from five specializations in entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, operations, or strategy.
The Tepper School’s Masters Career Center (MCC) offers personalized coaching and job search support tailored to MSM students. You’ll work one-on-one with a career counselor who helps you strengthen your resume, prepare for interviews, and build a strategy to connect with employers in your target industries. With access to the Tepper School’s global alumni network, you’ll be equipped to launch your career in business analytics.
After completing the MSM program and two years of work post-graduation, you become eligible to apply for the Accelerated Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Tepper School.
The accelerated MBA is the same as a Tepper School MBA — you will join the incoming cohort and have all the same advantages. The Accelerated MBA simply streamlines redundant coursework to reduce tuition.
“The Tepper School is a place where your ideas, feelings, and interests will be heard, discussed, and understood, with access to faculty and mentors who are always willing to support and guide you on your journey!”
Jana Elbanna, Class of 2025
MS in Management Program Admissions and Financial Aid
The MS in Management program at the Tepper School is designed for recent graduates and early professionals with up to three years of work experience. Applicants with more experience are encouraged to consider the Tepper School MBA.
We take a holistic approach to admissions, giving equal weight to every part of your application. Strong candidates demonstrate leadership, communication, critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and teamwork. Applicants from any undergraduate major are welcome as long as you have completed at least one college-level math course.
Graduates of the MSM program who gain two or more years of professional experience are eligible to apply for the Tepper School’s Accelerated MBA.
All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, and additional resources are available on our Tuition and Scholarships page.
MSM Class Profile - Class of 2026
Undergraduate Majors Most Represented
Engineering | Business | Economics
37
Class Size
The size of the MSM cohort means you will receive highly personalized attention and develop close relationships with your professors and classmates.
.5
Average Work Experience
The MSM is designed for early-career professionals seeking a business foundation grounded in real-world application.
3 .33
Average GPA
While the majority of students come from engineering, business, or economics, we welcome students from most academic backgrounds.
73 %
International Students
27 %
Domestic students
Request Information
The Master of Science in Management degree program at the Tepper School of Business establishes your foundation in core business fundamentals. It ensures you graduate confident, skilled, and ready to pursue your career with purpose and integrity.
Curriculum | MSPM
In This Section
Designed By Product Managers, For Product Managers
It is a common assumption that a management or technology degree is needed to become a successful product manager. In reality, great product managers have skills that reach far beyond business and technology.
Our curriculum was designed by product managers, for product managers. In this program, you will learn how to creatively solve problems, allowing you to stand apart as a manager who is able to find solutions to any issue. In addition to teaching technology, business, and leadership, we go a step further by incorporating design and a modern focus on AI.
An Award-Winning Degree as Great as the Sum of Its Parts
Imagine not being part of one great school, but two.
As an MS in Product Management student, you’ll be trained by multiple world-class institutions:
#2 Computer Science School
#1 Human-Computer Interaction Institute
#15 Tepper School of Business
Of course, all of the above share in Carnegie Mellon’s renowned reputation globally.
Gain Practical, Hands-On Experience
Our program helps individuals get started in the industry by providing practical, hands-on experience that takes your resume to the next level.
Internships
During the summer semester, you will participate in an internship program that will provide you with valuable experience and the opportunity to practice what you have learned in your coursework. This is your opportunity to truly impress and gain hands-on experience.
Capstones
During the fall semester, you will put your problem-solving skills to work for real clients through our capstone program. Sponsor companies are chosen from an array of industries including healthcare, robotics, finance, e-commerce, non-governmental organizations, cybersecurity, advertising technology, big data, big tech, and more.
Personalized Coaching
True leaders are not born—they are made. A key feature of the MS in Product Management curriculum is access to personalized leadership coaching through the Tepper School’s Accelerate Leadership Center (ALC).
- Are you struggling with conflict on a team project?
- Are you unsure of how to persuade your boss during your internship?
- Do you need advice on how to clearly present an idea?
The ALC will empower you to show up as a confident, adaptable, and empathetic leader through an array of services such as one-on-one coaching, leadership development workshops, and emotional intelligence assessments.
I would recommend the ALC to every person at Tepper. ALC helps make you a much better person and this helps you fulfill your leadership potential. They start by working on EQ and buiId up to whatever it is that you need to work on.
Shubham Lalwani
MSPM 2023
Curriculum Map
The MS in Product Management program is a one-year program that begins in January.
The curriculum is designed to provide the skills most desired by employers of product managers: Business, Technology, Design, and Leadership.
Spring Semester
January - May
Mini Semester
Jan-Mar
Mini Semester
Mar-May
Summer Semester
May-Aug
Fall Semester
August - December
Mini Semester
Aug-Oct
Mini Semester
Oct-Dec
×
Download the Curriculum Map here Find Full Course Descriptions
From my 20+ years experience, software product managers tend to have three voices running around their heads that shape how they approach the craft: the General Manager, the Scientist, and the Artist.
Joff Redfern
Menlo Ventures, Atlassian, and LinkedIn.
Personalize Your Development
The MS in Product Management program features a wide array of electives to choose from, so you can select a path that suits you and your career goals.
- Negotiations
- Writing for Managers
- Commercialization & Innovation Strategy
- Data Mining
- The Sustainable Business
Course Details Subject to Change.
*Students will take a core design course each semester. Past examples include Digital Service, Innovation, Service Design, and Design of AI Products.
In addition to coursework, students have access to the Masters Career Center and Accelerate Leadership Center for career preparation, coaching, and career goals.
Take The Next Step To Becoming A Product Manager. Connect With Us Today.
Apply to MSPM
In This Section
Are you ready to ignite your product management career?
We give equal consideration to every aspect of your application — goals, background, accomplishments — in order to determine if the Master of Science in Product Management (MSPM) program is a good fit for you.
Your MSPM application will contain a variety of components that provide the admissions committee information to assess your candidacy for our program. Through our review process, we do not assign specific weights to the various parts of the application.
How to Prepare for the Admission Process
The standard admissions expectations for the Tepper School's masters programs will apply, such as transcripts, recommendations, essays, and exams with optional waivers. For MSPM, additionally, we encourage applicants to approach the application process with a focused product perspective.
As you apply, think like a product manager! Make sure that you understand what product management is all about. Check out PM interview prep books and blogs, and become active in product communities. Review your own accomplishments, resume, and portfolio from a product perspective. Consider your incoming strengths and those skills you most want to practice and improve. Be ready to discuss why you’re motivated to advance as a product manager. Show confidence in your skills, accomplishments, and future, while maintaining the humility of an apprentice who is eager to learn.
If you have doubts about whether to take the GMAT or GRE, then it is best to do so. If your past academic and professional accomplishments speak for themselves, then you may find that requesting a waiver is the better path.
If you are unfamiliar with coding or it has been a long time since you practiced, then an introductory or refresher course would be an excellent way to prepare.
MS in Product Management Admissions Deadlines
*Basecamp and classes begin in January 2026.*
| Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline | May 6, 2025 | July 7, 2025 | September 1, 2025 | September 29th, 2025 |
| Decision | July 9, 2025 | September 4, 2025 | October 15, 2025 | Rolling according to application submission |
| First Deposit | August 10, 2025 | October 5, 2025 | November 9, 2025 | Rolling according to application submission |
We have rolling admissions until December 1 . However, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
MS in Product Management Application Instructions
Start by reviewing the application components below.
We suggest that you create your essay and goals before completing the online form.
You'll only need about 30 minutes to complete the entire online application form. We provide a time estimate at the top of each page in the online application.
Note to All MSPM Applicants: To safeguard the integrity of the admissions process, Carnegie Mellon University routinely uses a third-party company, Re Vera, to conduct verification procedures of all candidates who accept our offer of admission.
Upload a copy of your resume. The purpose of this document is to provide a snapshot of your education and professional achievements in your career. Use a standard (i.e. Times New Roman or Arial), 12-pt. font for your 1-2 page resume.
Education Requirements
Students are required to hold a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution.
While there are no additional educational requirements, if you have questions about our typical class profile and experience, contact our admissions team at mspm@cmu.edu.
Transcripts
Transcripts uploaded during the application process are considered “unofficial.” What makes a transcript "unofficial" is that you have it in your possession instead of us receiving it in a sealed, stamped envelope directly from your university.
All candidates are required to upload legible, scanned/digitized copies of their unofficial transcripts, not web transcripts*, and degree certificates which include the following:
- University Transcripts: All transcripts are copies of actual university transcripts (not web transcripts), usually on watermarked paper with a seal, etc.
- Degree Name: If you earned a degree, the name is on the transcript (i.e. Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, etc.).
- Degree Conferral Date: If you earned a degree, the date the degree was awarded is on the transcript.
- Degree Certificate: If you earned a degree and the degree name/conferral date are not on the transcript, you must upload a copy of your degree certificate which includes this information. This cannot be a provisional certificate; it must be final. Still unsure what to submit? See sample degree certificates.
- Grading Scale: Include for every university so we know what the grades mean. Often on the back of the transcript; otherwise, contact the university to obtain. Still unsure what to submit? See sample grading scales.
- Official Translation: If the transcript is not in English, upload both the transcript in the original language and the official translated copy so that we can read it.
View a sample of a web transcript that you should avoid submitting.
*A web transcript is anything obtained from an online student portal, downloaded from your student record, or retrieved online.
Please ask your GMAT, GMAT Focus, or GRE testing agency to send us your official score, so we can verify what you provide on your application.
A couple of important points:
- GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years. Yours must still be valid when you submit your application.
- Request that the official score be sent to us using the following codes:
- Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) - Select Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School Master of Science in Product Management
- Graduate Record Examination Tests (GRE) Program Code 4883
If you wish to apply for a GMAT/GRE waiver, you must do the following:
Submit a letter to the admissions committee (via an upload in your application) that addresses the following:
- Please discuss your undergraduate GPA scores and any other degree GPA. For a waiver to be granted we are only seeking those with exceptionally high GPA achievement.
- Please also share any remarkable academic achievements we should be aware of.
- Please share with us if you have an advanced master’s degree. Is it in a STEM-related area? Are there particular courses that demonstrate your capability in succeeding in the MSPM curriculum?
- Please share if you have recognized certification in product management, e.g. ISPMA, Pragmatic Institute, AIPMM, Certified Scrum Product Owner, Certified Product Manager (280 Group), Certified Innovation Leader Credential, ProductSchool, Black Bolt Product Management, etc.
Also:
- Please highlight if you have 10 or more years of professional working experience. Please be specific about your roles and job content relative to a role in product management.
- Please share if you had held the role of product manager and for how many years. Please describe the job and role beyond what is on your resume/CV and be specific about your accomplishments in this role that are relevant to the MSPM degree.
Test Courses:
Test waiver applicants may need to complete the following coursework and show proof of completion:
- CS50: Introduction to Computer Science
- Introduction to Python: Fundamentals
- Become a Product Manager
- Introduction to Finance, Accounting, Modeling and Valuation
Upon submission of your application, the waiver request will be reviewed, and you will receive a response to the waiver request via email within 10 business days of the application deadline. Please note, only complete applications will be reviewed for test waivers.
Candidates are required to demonstrate a level of competence in English to meet the admissions requirements of the university. You are required to take a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exam unless:
- You attended an undergraduate institution, earning a bachelor’s degree, where the sole language of instruction was English.
- You earned a graduate degree where the sole language of instruction was English. (Although not required, we do recommend that you take the English Language Proficiency exam.)
You must request that the official score be sent from the testing agency to our program for us to verify the score entered into the application. Request that the official score be sent to us using the following codes:
TOEFL Program Code: Institutional Code = 2074; Organization: Carnegie Mellon University, Graduate Business Organization
- The recommended TOEFL score is 25 on each section of the Internet-based test. Reading: 25, Listening: 25, Speaking: 25, Writing: 25
IELTS Program Code: Select Carnegie Mellon and the Tepper School of Business
- The recommended IELTS score is 7 overall and 7 in each band. Listening: 7, Reading: 7, Writing: 7, Speaking: 7, Overall Band: 7
Duolingo Program Code: Select Carnegie Mellon University – Tepper School of Business
- The recommended Duolingo English Test (DET) score is 120 overall.
TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years and must be valid at the time you submit your application.
If you earned a degree from a non-U.S. institution, your academic documents should state that the sole language of instruction for the entire university was English in order to be eligible for a TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo waiver. If your academic documents don’t include this, you should upload an official letter from the University Registrar indicating English as the mode of instruction for the entirety of the degree.
There are two required essays (maximum 500 words) for all Tepper MSPM applicants:
- The Tepper community is dynamic and unique with students who strive to be collaborative, supportive and inclusive. Please provide an example of when you experienced or created an inclusive environment and how you will use that experience to help members of the community reach their full potential.
- Share a time you made a mistake at work. Provide context that you feel would adequately describe how you felt when this occurred, what you did when you realized the mistake and what, if anything, did you learn from this experience.
Optional essay: Use this essay to convey any important information you may have otherwise not been able to communicate. This may include unexplained resume gaps, your reason for selecting the recommender you chose, or if you are applying again, how your candidacy has improved since your last application.
We know this is an important component of your decision to attend business school. We take it seriously as well. Please describe your post-MSPM career goals and why you chose them as your goals.
It would be helpful to consider the following information in your response:
- You have up to 2 minutes to respond to this question.
- Please be as specific as possible. If you have not yet identified specific companies, that is okay. Just tell us what interests you for your next role or company. What about the industry, company, or functional role is appealing to you?
- If you have any criteria you are using to evaluate career opportunities, please share those as well. We may have great opportunities to add to your list.
- How does this post-MSPM career goal relate to your long-term career plan?
Please select two people familiar with your work and/or leadership skill. We prefer that you select supervisors, but you can also include professors, coaches, mentors, or coworkers. Please give us their email contact information on your application, and we’ll reach out to them with a request to submit their letters online.
We use the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation (LOR). The Common LOR is intended to save you and your recommender valuable time by providing a single set of recommendation questions for each participating school. This allows your recommender to use the same answers for multiple letter submissions, alleviating the workload of having to answer different questions for each school multiple times. You benefit because it makes the ask for several different letters to be written on your behalf much easier.
A non-refundable $125 application fee is required of all applicants. This fee can be paid online using a credit card at the time of submission.
Once you have completed your online application, if you have any supporting documents, they should be uploaded directly to your application via your application status page in the application portal.
If you have submitted all the application components, it isn’t necessary to send anything else to us at this point. Upon admission, you’ll need to send your official transcripts/academic documents. These details will be included in the admission letter, so no need to worry about it now.
Admissions interviews are granted at the discretion of the admissions committee after an initial review of your application. You will receive additional information about the interview process at the time of the invitation.
Special Instructions
We welcome applicants from around the globe and encourage non-U.S. citizens to apply to our Masters of Science in Product Management (MSPM) program.
Applications from international candidates are accepted through all application rounds, but we encourage international candidates to submit their applications in Round 1 or Round 2.
Certification of Financial Resources
As an applicant from a foreign country, you will be required to verify financial resources equal to the total cost of tuition and living expenses for the duration of the program. If admitted, students will be required to submit the following forms with appropriate supporting documentation in order to obtain a valid visa for entering the United States.
Graduate Student Financial Statement including official documentation such as personal bank statements and letters of support from any sponsoring organizations.
If sponsored by an employer or other third party, an Affidavit of Support including official documentation such as bank statements and verification of sponsor support.
Visa Regulations
Visa regulations can be quite complex, and it is the applicant’s responsibility to be aware of the regulations. Carnegie Mellon University has a foreign student advisor to assist applicants in visa matters, and we strongly recommend that you use this service.
The contact information for any applicant who would like to contact our foreign student advisor is:
Office of International Education
Carnegie Mellon University
Cyert Hall, First Floor Atrium
Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
412-268-5231
Email: oie@andrew.cmu.edu
The United States' visa-granting authority in the country of origin, ordinarily the United States Embassy, requires proof that sufficient funds are available to a student to cover both years of study before he/she is granted either the student visa (F-1) or an exchange visa (J-1).
Admissions Events
We offer several ways for you to connect with us virtually and get to know our MS in Product Management program.
Admissions Office Hours
Throughout the recruitment cycle for the MSPM program we offer Admissions Office Hours so that you have an informal space to have your questions answered. This year, Office Hours will be held by one of our current students so you can really get a sense of what the program is like.
Schedule an Office Hours Appointment
Information Session
Want to learn more about Carnegie Mellon's MS in Product Management program? What support and resources can you take advantage of during your journey? Sign up to learn insights about curriculum, recruiting, and navigating a successful transition into the MSPM program. Information Sessions are led by an Admissions Officer.
Register for MSPM Information Session
Application Workshop
Take the first step to getting your MS in Product Management at Carnegie Mellon with our virtual application workshop. An Admissions Officer will share insights about our application components and tips for submitting your strongest application.
Register for MSPM Application Workshop
Ask Me Anything with Current Students
What better way to learn about Carnegie Mellon's MSPM program than hearing directly from a current student? Join us for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) with current MSPM students. Ask your questions to get honest answers about the CMU MSPM student experience. No pre-developed questions are required to attend.
Master of Science in Product Management
The MS in Product Management is a one-year interdisciplinary program that includes the perfect combination of business, technology, design, and leadership skills—offered jointly by the Tepper School of Business and the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University
In This Section
In addition to coursework, the MS in Product Management provides students with hands-on experience, an internship, and a capstone project. Graduates often cite the integration of design and user experience as uniquely valuable takeaways of the program. The MS in Product Management is more in-depth than certificate programs and specifically focused in contrast with other degree programs.
MSPM equips you with the skills and experience product managers need.
- Learn and develop the skills every product manager needs and every employer wants
- Gain valuable hands-on experience through interactive studio classwork, internships, and capstone projects with corporate sponsors
- Learn from great faculty, coaches, and staff who understand what product managers need both in the classroom and beyond
Education and Experience that Employers Want
Carnegie Mellon’s MS in Product Management curriculum combines business, technology, and design with practical experience. Students study core concepts and apply them through projects, internships, and team-based learning. The result is a degree built around the skills employers look for when hiring product managers.
- Business fundamentals for product managers. Understand markets, strategy, and finance to make informed decisions.
- Team management and communication. Learn to lead cross-functional teams and build alignment across business and technical groups.
- Technology and artificial intelligence. See how data and new tools shape products and business models.
- Human-centered design. Use HCI and UX/UI methods to design products that meet real user needs.
Carnegie Mellon University is...
# 1
Artificial Intelligence School*
*2025 US News & World Report
# 2
Computer Science School*
*2025 US News & World Report
# 1
Human-Computer Interaction Institute**
**EduRank 2025
Your Career, Your Path
We understand that no two careers unfold the same way. That is why at the Masters Career Center (MCC), you work one-on-one with a certified career coach who understands your strengths, ambitions, and passions. Together, you create a personalized strategy that fits your path, whether you know exactly where you want to go or are still exploring your options.
From your first day in the program to long after graduation, we provide the resources, connections, and insights to help you navigate your career journey with confidence. Our dedicated career coaches, employer partnerships, and exclusive networking opportunities ensure that you are prepared to succeed in a rapidly evolving job market.
A joint degree between the School of Computer Science and the Tepper School of Business , this program provides a deep dive into the user-centered design, technical skills, and business acumen needed to be a successful product manager.
- $152,500 Average Base Salary*
- $85,000 - $214,000 Starting Salary Range*
- 84% Percentage of Received Offers*
*By six months after graduation for the Class of 2024, according to MBACSEA reporting standards.
The Masters Career Center provides guidance, coaching, and resources while you plan your product management career.
- Build a tailored career plan that reflects your strengths, goals, and vision for success in product management.
- Identify target employers and industries where your skills and leadership potential are in demand.
- Refine your resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile to showcase your ability to lead products from concept to launch.
- Prepare for interviews, case exercises, and networking with the confidence to articulate your value as a future product manager.
- Use market insights to stay informed on industry trends and employer expectations.
- Leverage Tepper School alumni and recruiter connections to create meaningful opportunities in product management and beyond.
Your Journey Extends Beyond the Classroom
As an MS in Product Management student, you are a part of the Tepper School of Business, the School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, and Pittsburgh-area product communities. These communities each offer opportunities for learning, gaining experience, nurturing ideas, and networking. The program brings together a diverse cohort of students with varied professional backgrounds, creating a rich environment for collaboration and innovation.
We also collaborate with the MSPM student advisory committee to sponsor events that bring more to the program than academics, such as:
- Industry conferences
- Guest speakers—past guest speakers have included authors, product heads, and company directors
- Product workshops
- Product competitions and social events
Education Is a Big Investment. Does an MS in Product Management Make Sense for Me?
The MS in Product Management interdisciplinary program allows students to learn what they need to get started in their product management careers without spending a lot of time in the classroom. Our graduates work for companies that include banking, gaming, retail, and technology, and product managers work at employers all over the United States and the world.
The MSPM provides the skills, experience, and connections that help product managers advance. Product managers are well-respected, upwardly mobile, and earn attractive salaries. The one-year program and the reasonable cost of living in Pittsburgh is hard to beat.
We’re proud to support US military veterans and families through our participation in the Yellow Ribbon program which helps eligible current military personnel veterans pay for higher education.
Take The Next Step To Becoming A Product Manager. Connect With Us Today.
Carnegie Mellon University may be the best place for you to prepare for a career at the intersection of business, technology, and innovation. If this sounds right for you, request information about the MS in Product Management program today.
Part-Time Master of Science in Business Analytics
Part-Time Master of Science in Business Analytics
In This Section
Expand your quantitative acumen and advance or pivot your career in the Tepper School’s Part-Time Online MSBA program, featuring a flexible learning environment with select on-campus experiences
Why Choose the Part-Time Online MSBA?
Build the skills to turn data into decisions while you continue working. In this 20-month program, you get a proven Carnegie Mellon education built for working professionals. You study advanced analytics, machine learning, AI for business, optimization, and data-informed decision making. You also grow as a communicator and leader through the Accelerate Leadership Center.
What You Will Learn
The MSBA curriculum for part-time students offers flexibility without diluting the academic challenge and reputation of the Tepper School’s MSBA program.
- Our online learning platform facilitates an engaging and interactive virtual classroom.
- Interact with faculty who are dedicated to student success and collaborate with fellow students from across the country with diverse backgrounds.
- Combine live faculty-led sessions with asynchronous work.
- Our user-friendly interface ensures a seamless online learning experience, so you can focus on what matters.
Coursework that Tackles Today's Business Challenges
Our curriculum emphasizes advanced analytics for real-world applications. We equip you with the most sought-after skills in the field, from data mining and machine learning to statistical modeling and business intelligence. And our experienced faculty will guide you through hands-on projects and case studies — including a capstone project where you'll solve a real company’s analytic challenge and present your solution to their executives.
Enhance Online Coursework With Immersive On-Campus Experiences
Three immersive, in-person experiences on Carnegie Mellon’s Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania campus transform your online education into a comprehensive professional development journey. These strategically timed campus visits help you build lasting connections with faculty, fellow students, industry partners, and recruiting employers.
BaseCamp sets the stage for productive communication, collaborative learning, and success throughout the MS in Business Analytics program. As with each on-campus visit, students stay at the same hotel and have lunch with faculty members and each other.
During BaseCamp, faculty members provide students with a high-level overview of the MSBA program and bring in a range of Tepper School staff, including members of the recruitment team, to supply information about financial aid, career planning, and student services. Other BaseCamp activities include a company visit, campus tour, and social event in Pittsburgh.
Discover the world of analytics at Carnegie Mellon University, the birthplace of AI and data-informed management science. This immersion experience offers a window into the different ways in which Carnegie Mellon faculty and staff impact this cutting-edge field.
From applications of analytics in athletics to using analytics to manage an organization, this on-campus experience gives you insight into the expanding ways in which data and analytics are applied in the business world today. You will also have the opportunity to engage in professional development workshops with faculty and our Accelerate Leadership Center.
Prior to kicking off your semester-long capstone course, you come to campus for a Capstone Experience Weekend. During this weekend, you meet your faculty and company sponsor and gear up for your project. At the end of the semester, you present your findings to your sponsor company, marking the end of the MSBA program.
Analytics expertise is in high demand across every industry, creating exceptional opportunities for Tepper School MSBA graduates who excel at transforming data into strategic advantage. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 36% growth for data scientists and a 23% increase for operations research analysts through 2033.
MSBA graduates advance into senior roles like strategic pricing analysts, global development specialists, and business development directors across finance, tech, consulting, and manufacturing. Recent employers include:
- Bank of New York Mellon
- Capital One
- Deloitte
- EY (Ernst & Young)
- Kantar
- McKinsey & Company
- The Walt Disney Company
- Wells Fargo & Company
Our Masters Career Center pairs you with a personal coach who is an expert in your target industry. We serve a small, intentionally selected student body, which is why we can offer exceptional, tailored support for your goals.
Class Profile - Part-Time Online MSBA Class of 2027
Undergraduate Majors Most Represented
Business | Engineering | Mathematics/Physical Science
34 Students
Class Size
5 Years
Average Work Experience
3.48
Average GPA
Currently working as an Operations Manager in the retail field, I was looking to pivot my career to be more tech-focused, analyzing buyer behavior trends. The Tepper School MSBA has given me the tools, information, and resources tied to real-world situations to help propel me toward my career goals.
Kennedy Corley (she/her), MSBA 2025
Ready To Make Data Your Competitive Edge?
Full-Time Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA)
Full-Time Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA)
In This Section
Tell stories with data. Solve complex problems with analytics. And gain the confidence to share your insights as a leader at the Tepper School, the nation’s top-ranked school for business analytics.
Fast-Track Your Career in Analytics Leadership
The Full-Time Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) at the Tepper School of Business is a STEM-designated program designed for recent college graduates who want a fast track to sought-after business analyst positions.
Through our nine-month program on the Carnegie Mellon University campus, business analytics master’s students learn how to solve tough business challenges by harnessing emerging technologies and using data creatively to inspire better solutions.
You’ll become part of the Tepper School’s historic legacy of innovation, just as a new era of innovation is reshaping business analytics. Our faculty and students are leading this moment through artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives that will prepare you for what’s ahead. There is no better place or time to pursue a master’s in business analytics.
Collaborate in Person, Innovate Together
Offered only on the CMU campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the full-time MSBA degree is an immersive nine-month program with on-site opportunities that will boost your career trajectory.
- Study with outstanding faculty and participate in their research.
- Spend invaluable in-person time with your cohort, building lifelong relationships and exploring our innovation hub, the Tepper Quad
- Get quality face time with employers in your experiential learning courses, where you’ll be paired with an organization to manage their large data sets and deliver a final presentation to the company executives and faculty.
- Collaborate with students from other Carnegie Mellon schools, such as the College of Engineering, on startup ideas at the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship.
- Chart your path with your one-on-one career coach at our Career Center.
Industry Validation Built In
Our STEM designation immediately signals your quantitative expertise to employers worldwide. Because our curriculum is developed in partnership with global business leaders, you’ll graduate with the knowledge and capabilities companies need most.
You’ll learn:
- Machine learning and predictive modeling for business impact
- Advanced programming in Python and R for large-scale analysis
- Executive-level, non-technical communication and stakeholder management
- Cross-functional leadership in data-driven environments
Unleash the Power of Data in an Evolving Marketplace
AI transformation has created unprecedented demand for professionals who can turn data into a strategic advantage. The numbers tell the story: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment of data scientists will grow 36% from 2023 to 2033, while operations research analyst roles are expected to increase 23% in that same period.
Tepper School MSBA graduates enter roles across diverse functions: strategic pricing analysts, global development specialists, senior data consultants, and operational excellence managers. Recent career highlights for MSBA graduates include an average base salary of $98,946 and offers from these employers:
- Bank of New York Mellon
- Capital One
- Deloitte
- EY (Ernst & Young)
- Kantar
- McKinsey & Company
- The Walt Disney Company
- Wells Fargo & Company
Our Masters Career Center provides personalized coaching and industry connections that transform your technical skills into career acceleration. You'll work one-on-one with career counselors who understand your target industry — a benefit only a smaller program like the Tepper School can offer.
Full-Time MSBA Admissions
We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and understand that choosing a graduate program is a significant decision. Our admissions team is here to guide you through every step of the process, from initial questions to final enrollment. While students join us from many fields of study, our most represented undergraduate majors are business, economics, engineering, and mathematics/physical sciences.
Whether your background is in one of these areas or you're coming from a completely different field, we evaluate each application holistically. We are excited to learn how your unique perspective will contribute to the Tepper School community.
Full-Time MS in Business Analytics Admissions Deadlines
| Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline | October 14, 2025 | January 15, 2026 | March 4, 2026 | May 12, 2026 |
| Decision | December 10, 2025 | March 4, 2026 | April 30, 2026 | June 18, 2026 |
| First Deposit | February 9, 2026 | April 21, 2026 | May 26, 2026 | June 30, 2026 |
| Second Deposit | May 12, 2026 | May 12, 2026 | X | X |
Note for international applicants: Round 3 is the final round that you can apply for the full-time program.
Class Profile - Full-Time MSBA Class of 2026
Undergraduate Majors Represented
Business | Economics | Engineering
120 Students
Class Size
1.1 Years
Average Work Experience
3.54
Average GPA
163-170
GRE Score Middle 80%
73%
International Students
27%
U.S. Citizen Students
Leveraging In-Demand Skills
In just nine months, the Full-Time Master of Science in Business Analytics at the Tepper School preps you with an analytical edge to use data to be a decisive problem solver. You'll join a tight-knit, in-person community where leading-edge study meets real-world application. Request information about the program today.
Curriculum | MSBA
In This Section
The Tepper School of Business developed the curriculum for the online Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) in consultation with global business leaders. The Tepper School determined that the greatest need is for professionals who not only have advanced analytical skills, such as machine learning and optimization, but also the appropriate business knowledge and communication skills to solve complex problems and bring value to industry.
As a STEM-designated program, the curriculum of the Full-Time MS in Business Analytics program equips students with leading-edge knowledge, skills, and experiential training in:
- Methodology, including machine learning and optimization.
- Software engineering, including large-scale data management and programming in R and Python.
- Corporate communication, including communicating with non-technical stakeholders.
- Business domain knowledge, including marketing, operations, accounting, finance, and people analytics.
When I compared the Tepper MSBA with other similar programs, the Capstone experience really stood out to me. I'm really looking forward to the hands-on experiences and opportunities to not only learn what companies are already doing but actually apply what we are learning in our courses to help find new solutions and opportunities for them.
Amina Shahzad (she/her)
Part-Time MSBA 2025
Full-Time | MS in Business Analytics Curriculum (9 months)
- Programming in R and Python
- Introduction to Probability and Statistics
- Managing People and Teams
- Business Fundamentals
- Experiential Learning
- Business Communication
- Statistical Foundations of Business Analytics
- Machine Learning Fundamentals
- Modern Data Management
- Experiential Learning
- Optimization
- Data Exploration
- Elective
- Elective
- Capstone
- Business Value for Integrative Analytics
- Machine Learning for Business Applications
- Elective
- Elective
- Capstone
Part-Time | MS in Business Analytics Curriculum (20 months)
- Programming in R & Python
- Introduction to Probability & Statistics
- Campus Experience: BaseCamp (Optional)
- Statistical Foundations of Business Analytics
- Business Fundamentals
- Modern Data Management
- Data Exploration & Visualization
- Machine Learning Fundamentals
- Business Communication
- Campus Experience: Analytics Immersion (Optional)
- Optimization for Prescriptive Analytics
- Data Analytics in Finance
- Operations and Supply Chain Analytics
- Ethics and AI
- Organizations to Managing Teams and People
- Business Value Through Integrative Analytics
- Machine Learning for Business Applications
- Optional Elective
- Campus Experience: Capstone Overview (Optional)
- Capstone
- Analytical Marketing
- Capstone
- Optional Elective
Built for Industry. Built for Today. Built for You.
Our students develop proficiency in the full range of state-of-the-art business analytics techniques; they also learn how to tell stories through and extract insights from data. Given the Tepper School’s view of a curriculum as an organic entity, our faculty continually work in concert to ensure that courses harmonize, even as they are individually updated and modified to ensure learning outcomes for students are always in step with an ever-evolving industry.
Whether you enroll full-time on campus or in the flexible online format, students will make meaningful personal and professional connections with each other and develop the strong communication, collaboration and virtual team skills that will help them succeed in today’s increasingly interconnected and global business environments.
Business Analytics Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the program, MSBA students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a depth of knowledge of quantitative and analytical tools for decision-making.
- Make appropriate judgments regarding managing, manipulating, and analyzing large data sets.
- Develop and/or efficiently apply computer software to implement analytical techniques.
- Identify the potential and challenges of applying data analytics in a business environment.
- Communicate effectively and persuasively.
World-Renowned Faculty
MS in Business Analytics students learn from and engage with the world’s foremost experts in business analytics and benefit from course material that incorporates our faculty’s leading-edge research.
Full-time professors across the Tepper School develop and teach the MS in Business Analytics program and are deeply committed to its ongoing relevance and student success.
Master of Science in Business Analytics Courses
The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) courses equip students with leading-edge knowledge, skills, and experiential training in methodology, software engineering, corporate communication, and business domain knowledge.
This course introduces tools for decision-making under uncertainty, ranging from the fundamentals of probability theory, decision theory, and statistical models to basic software for data analysis. Topics include statistical independence, conditional probability, Bayes theorem, discrete and continuous distributions, expectation and variance, decision trees, sampling and sampling distributions, interval estimation, correlation, and simple regression.
This course provides an introduction to programming in Python and R, two of the most popular languages for data analytics. The course will cover basic concepts such as conditionals and loops, but also functions and program modularity, as well as algorithms and data structures.
This course provides a basic introduction on general business management. Topics include organizational structure, the role of different business domains in an organization (accounting, finance, operations, and marketing), and how they relate.
The objective of this course is to help you learn to analyze data and use methods of statistical inference in making business decisions. This course focuses on the application of fundamental concepts from Probability and Statistics to drawing inferences from data. Topics will include Bayesian modeling, multivariate analysis, causal inference, A/B testing, and experimental design, with special emphasis on diagnostics and model-building techniques appropriate to the study of real-world data. Assignments with applications to real-world data are an integral part of the course.
The focus of this course is on managing and retrieving data of all types (structured, semi structured, or unstructured), from both technical and business perspectives. The course topics include relational data management systems, theory of databases and models (CAP, ACID, Distributed Computing and Storage), Document (MongoDB), and other models for Big Data. The course also provides a basic conceptual introduction to Hadoop, Map-reduce, Hive, Apache Spark (in general, the big data architecture).
This course provides an introduction to the principles and techniques for data visualization. Students will learn visual representation methods and techniques that increase the understanding of complex data and models. Principles will be drawn from statistics, graphic design, cognitive psychology, information design, communications, and data mining. Specific topics that will be covered include design principles for charts and graphs, common visualization tools (Tableau, Excel, and R), effective presentations, dashboard design, and web-based visualizations.
In this course, we explore common machine learning techniques and think about the application of these techniques to both structured and unstructured datasets found in business. Specific topics include Linear Regression (logistics regression, k-nearest neighbors, and SVMs) and Unsupervised Learning (Principal Components and Clustering Methods: Hierarchical, partitioning, and probabilistic).
This course continues the introduction of machine learning techniques with a particular emphasis on business applications. Specific topics include Model and Variable Selection Model and Variable Selection (Overfitting and Overconfidence, Bias-Variance Tradeoffs; Information Criterions and Cross-Validation; Model Averaging and Ensemble Learning; Feature Selection; Regularization, Shrinkage and LASSO Estimators), Nonlinear Prediction Methods (Tree-Based Methods: Decision Trees and Random Forests; Regression Splines; Kernel Methods and Gaussian Processes), Modeling with Latent Variables (Hidden Markov Models; Graphical Models).
Mathematical optimization technology is key to turning data into better decision-making. The application of large-scale optimization models can bring a critical competitive advantage to many firms. This course focuses on developing such optimization models for operational and strategic decision making, with applications that include vehicle routing, employee scheduling, network design, and capacity planning. Methodologies include Linear programming, integer programming, nonlinear programming, constraint programming, heuristics, and column generation.
This is an integrative course that charts the path to value from analytical modeling for business problems. Building on a set of multidisciplinary cases cross-cutting across functional areas of business, this course integrates the three increasing levels of analytics involved in reaping business value from data in a given problem: the descriptive phase of inferring key features and relationships in the problem, the predictive phase of forecasting outcomes of short-term tactical actions, and the prescriptive phase of long-term planning based on analytics.
This course introduces students to both the micro and macro perspectives of organizational behavior and theory. At the micro-level, it covers factors for working in and managing an effective work team, including building teams, team contracting, team coordination, and team creativity. Macro topics include team networks, informal and formal organizational networks, communication networks, and innovation culture.
The course will address several areas of finance that rely heavily on data analytics, including 1) High Frequency Trading and Market Micro-structure, 2) Quantitative portfolios and Asset Management, 3) “Smart” Beta and Performance Analysis, and 4) Credit Analysis. The class uses tools from statistics, data mining (machine learning), and NLP/text-mining.
Operations and supply chain analytics is concerned with the development and application to data of business analytics tools to support high-impact strategic, tactical, and operational decisions within both manufacturing and service firms. Topics include supply chain design, demand forecasting, inventory planning, sales and operational planning, revenue management, staffing in service organizations, and healthcare management. The underlying feature in these applications is managing the risk that arises from supply and demand mismatches with the goal of maximizing enterprise value. The course emphasizes how sophisticated and holistic implementation of the operations and supply chain analytics toolbox, integrating descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics techniques, can be an essential lever to increase or sustain a firm’s competitive advantage.
Marketing has become much more quantitative and data-intensive in recent years. Strategies like interactive marketing, customer relationship management, and database marketing push companies to utilize the information they collect about their customers to make better marketing decisions. Marketing transaction data — which is a common type of Big Data — often forms the core set of information used for making marketing decisions. This course focuses on how analytical techniques from data mining, machine learning, and statistical modeling can be applied to solve marketing problems. This course focuses on a series of data-intensive case studies to solve marketing problems. Specifically, the case studies considered include pricing decision support systems using retail transaction data, understanding customer churn in the cell-phone market, upgrading freemium customers to paying customers, and lifetime cycles in direct marketing.
This course will be aimed at helping the MSBA students know how to target their future business audiences. Students will learn delivery skills AND will simultaneously learn how to construct arguments and problem-solve for decision-makers and how to understand what these audiences need from them (including superior, peer, and subordinate audience groups). Students will be evaluated on presentation assignments that are relevant to business analytics.
This course will explore the ethical challenges that businesses face when making use of AI, map out policies that have been proposed as solutions to these challenges, and analyze the normative arguments behind these policies. The goal of the course is to acquire the skills necessary to understand the ethical challenges which emerge from AI, and develop responsible corporate practices around these technologies. The course is organized around six core principles for the responsible use of AI: Autonomy, Explainability, Discrimination, Fairness, Benefit, and Responsibility & Control.
Early-career business professionals must demonstrate not only technical skills, but also strong communication, executive presence, and the ability to collaborate across cultures. For MSBA and MSM students, this course offers structured, hands-on preparation for project and job success. Through guided practice and feedback, you’ll learn to tell your professional story, build industry relationships, and strengthen your interviewing, networking, and negotiation skills—while gaining the clarity and confidence to pursue your career goals.
Salary and Employment Highlights
In This Section
Tepper MSBA Salary and Employment Data
Full-Time MSBA Class of 2024
- $98,946 Average Base Salary
- $98,553 Average Base Salary (North America)
- $109,046 Average Base Salary (1-3 Years of Work Experience)
Where the Tepper School Can Take You
“During the MSBA program, I completed a capstone project where I led the development of a financial prediction model. That experience sharpened my ability to deliver actionable insights from data and prepared me for my current role, where I support data-driven decision-making for Fortune 500 clients. I also regularly worked with the Accelerate Leadership Center and Masters Career Center. A standout moment was a one-on-one mock interview session where I refined my pitch and gained confidence articulating my transition into business analytics. This directly helped me secure my full-time role.”
Shashank Kallahalli Suresh, MSBA 2024
Business Analytics Associate II, Management Science Associates
“I would not have my job, nor the vast network of classmates, faculty, and alumni who would vouch for me without pursuing my MSBA. I received the offer for my current role from a recruiter recognizing my name in a resume book that had been sent out by the Tepper School Masters Career Center after having made an impression on her at a Carnegie Mellon career fair. Additionally, from a personal perspective, I am exponentially more confident in myself and my abilities after having achieved a master’s degree at a world-renowned institution, in a subject matter that was predominantly new to me.”
Jenni Pitts, MSBA 2024
Contracts Specialist, Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems
“I wanted a role that offered intellectual challenge, meaningful impact, and cross-functional collaboration. That’s exactly what I found, and I credit the MSBA program for helping me uncover and prepare for this path. It’s a role that not only leverages my technical skills—like SQL, Tableau, and Python—but also demands strategic thinking and stakeholder communication.
The Masters Career Center (MCC) was a game-changer for me. From resume reviews and mock interviews to salary negotiation and offer evaluation, the MCC supported me at every stage of my job search.”
Varun Shah, MSBA 2024
Senior Business Analyst, Capital One
Employment by Industry
Employment by Function
Sample Job Titles
- Senior Associate Data Analyst
- Strategic Pricing Leadership Development Associate
- Global Development Analyst
- Operational Excellence Rotation Program
- Project Controls Manager
- Senior Consultant
- Senior Associate Data Scientist
- Private Equity Business Analyst
Hiring Companies Include
- Wells Fargo & Company
- Deloitte
- The Walt Disney Company
- Bank of New York Mellon
- Uber Technologies, Inc.
- EY (Ernst & Young)
- Capital One
- McKinsey & Company
Class Profile*
- 118 Class Size
- 123 started the program; 118 graduated in May
- 1.22 Years Average work experience before beginning the program
- 79.7% International Students
*these statistics are based on the MBA CSEA Standards reporting for the 2024 MSBA full-time cohort