MS in Management Studies (MSMS)

The Master of Science in Management Studies (MSMS) is a full-time program that incorporates a challenge-driven, learn-by-doing curriculum. It simulates a real work environment through multiple client-facing business projects, team interactions, and business case discussions that are tightly integrated with courses. The course and project learning occur in four modules spread over nine months.

Learning Outcomes

The MSMS program seeks to develop graduates who:

• Develop foundational business skills in strategic problem solving, financial and data literacy, customer centricity, project management, and quantitative reasoning.
• Build key functional skills that address the needs of employers in at least two of the following areas: data & analytics, product management, organizational behavior, and sales & marketing.
• Demonstrate strong SMART skills including verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively in international teams as team members, leaders, and advisors.
• Identify and develop solutions to cross-disciplinary business challenges.
• Possess strong career management skills including personal branding, networking and relationship building, interviewing, and negotiating conditions of employment.

Curriculum

The MSMS is a full-time, two-semester, 36-credit* program delivered in four 7-week modules. Students take core classes in cohorts during the program. The program has a fixed curriculum in the fall semester and provides electives in the spring semester. A student academic advisor is available to answer any questions related to elective selection.

Client projects comprise a sizable portion of the curriculum. During each module, students work in small teams on a corporate partner’s business challenge. Partners have been carefully curated to deliver challenges that build relevant skills and enhance student learning. Partners also provide executive talks, the use of real case examples, and willingness to hire MSMS graduates.

Building career skills and support for job hunting are an important part of the program. A dedicated MSMS career coach enables skill building through cohort-wide seminars, small group workshops, one-on-one coaching, and mock interviews. The MSMS career coach is supplemented by the extensive networking and industry relations resources of the Questrom Feld Center and by on-campus visits by leading companies in technology, consulting, healthcare, financial services, and consumer products industries.

Fall Semester (18.5 cr)

Module I

• QST MS 600 MSMS Launch (0 cr)
• QST MS 717 Business Context and Strategy (1.5 cr)
• QST MS 718 Competitive Business Simulation (1.5 cr)
• QST MS 742 Financial Reporting and Analysis (1.5 cr)
• QST MS 743 Quantitative Methods for Management Decisions (1.5 cr)
• QST MS 744 People, Teams, and Organizations (1.5 cr)
• QST MS 749 Management Communications A (1.5 cr)
• Career Coaching & Workshops

Module II

• QST MS 715 Customers and Markets (1.5 cr)
• QST MS 716 Financial Decision-Making (1.5 cr)
• QST MS 747 Project Management and Control (1.5 cr)
• QST MS 764 Insights and Analytics Client Project (3.5 cr)
• QST MS 773 Customer Data Analytics (1.5 cr)
• Career Coaching & Workshops

Spring Semester (17.5 cr)

Module III

• QST MS 751 Digital Transformation and Growth (1.5 cr)
• QST MS 759 Consultative Communications (1.5 cr)
• QST MS 765 Digital Marketing Client Project (3.5 cr)
• Electives (choose 2 of 4, at least 1 of which must be in the analytics domain):
  • QST MS 753 Negotiation and Conflict Management (1.5 cr)
  • QST MS 771 Product Management (1.5 cr)
  • QST MS 774 Digital Marketing Analytics (1.5 cr)
  • QST MS 775 Business Impact Modeling (1.5 cr)
• Career Coaching & Workshops

Module IV

• QST MS 757 Innovation and Entrepreneurship (1.5 cr)
• QST MS 766 Customer Experience Client Project (3.5 cr)
• Electives (choose 2 of 4, at least 1 of which must be in the analytics domain):
  • QST MS 756 Leadership and Change Management (1.5 cr)
  • QST MS 770 Data Visualization (1.5 cr)
  • QST MS 772 Product & Service Development (1.5 cr)
  • QST MS 776 Data Management for Managers (1.5 cr)
• Career Coaching & Workshops

*36 credits are required for degree completion. The flat, per-semester tuition for full-time students encompasses 12–18 credits per semester. The curriculum and courses are subject to change as recommended by the faculty, deans, and administrators of Questrom School of Business.

Grading

Given the unique program design, student grading categories are pass and fail. Pass/Fail grading enables students to fully engage in the strong peer-to-peer and challenge-focused learning process without fear of failure.

STEM Designation

The MS in Management Studies program at the Questrom School of Business is currently designated by the US Department of Homeland Security as a STEM-eligible degree program. International students with F-1 student status may be able to apply for a 24-month extension of their 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization. More information about STEM OPT eligibility is available from the BU International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO).