During the first semester, students complete a core sequence of subjects that introduces three perspectives on management (Organizational Processes, Economic Analysis for Business Decisions, and Data, Models and Decisions). These subjects demonstrate the power of behavioral, economic, and mathematical understanding and tools in the analysis and solution of business problems. Students should view these subjects as ways of structuring complex problems as aids to managerial decision making. In addition, students complete core courses in Accounting, Communications, and Strategic Management.
Students who prefer to create an individualized course of study may choose a self-managed program, consisting of four half-semester courses from a selection of six, and bolstered by course-work of their choosing from the nearly 90 courses Sloan offers each semester. Sloan offers an unusually wide range of fields, including Applied Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations, Information Technologies, Marketing, Operations Management, Operations Research and Statistics, Organizational Studies, Strategy and International Management, Systems Dynamics, and the Management of Technology.
As an alternative to a self-managed program, students may join a specific management track providing in-depth preparation for a chosen management career. Based upon faculty and student coalitions, with participation from both disciplinary and functional areas, management tracks differ from traditional areas of concentration by their depth and breadth and by their explicit relationship to career opportunities.
Management Tracks are designed to prepare students with cutting-edge competency in a management specialty related to a well-defined career path; to bridge the gap between management theory and practice; and to provide students with the choice to follow a program of study according to their own interests and career options.
In addition to the required fall core subjects, management tracks require students to complete a number of other courses covering a range of functional areas and allow students choices of suitable electives.
Management Tracks include:
Financial Engineering
Financial Management
Manufacturing and Operations
New Product and Venture Development
Strategic Management and Consulting
Information Technology and Business Transformation
Leaders for Manufacturing (separate application required)