Graduate Programs
A Message from the Graduate Programs Office
Whether you’re a student preparing for a dynamic career or a professional looking to elevate the one you have, our graduate programs and faculty in the Isenberg School of Management equip you with the knowledge, experience, and networking you need. The extensive breadth and depth of our programs provide anyone from any background with the business expertise required to excel in finance, management, accounting, analytics, and more.
In addition to understanding your academic needs, we also appreciate that fitting in studies around the competing demands of your life can be challenging. That’s why at Isenberg, many of our programs allow you to choose to study on campus, online, or a combination of the two.
On behalf of everyone at Isenberg, I can tell you that if you have the motivation, we will do everything possible to ensure that you advance from our programs with the knowledge, experience, and professional connections to succeed.
Nikunj Kapadia, PhD
ASSOCIATE DEAN
GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
ISENBERG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Isenberg. A community of business leaders.
Founded in 1947, Isenberg is AACSB accredited and has 4,300 undergraduates as well as more than 2,000 students enrolled in nationally and internationally recognized on-campus and online graduate programs. Master’s degrees and certificate programs allow graduate students to focus on business analytics, management practices, finance, and accounting. The school’s alumni live and work in 86 countries and many of them serve as mentors, guest lecturers, and network connectors for Isenberg.
BUSINESS INNOVATION HUB
The architecturally thoughtful and career-oriented Business Innovation Hub opened in January 2019, adding 72,000 square feet of student-centric spaces to the school.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION (DEI)
At Isenberg, we value the unique experiences, identities, and perspectives that each person brings to the table.
Isenberg strives to provide the resources, opportunities, and support that underrepresented students need to thrive. We do this through:
• DEI Graduate Student Council
• DEI workshops for students, faculty, and staff
• Supporting student organizations
• Scholarships
• Events & conferences
• Faculty research
Global Alumni Network
Isenberg alumni make up the largest part of our vibrant community of leaders, and they pride themselves on giving back to the school by engaging and inspiring the next generation.
50,000 +
ALUMNI AROUND THE WORLD
7,000 +
GRADUATE PROGRAM ALUMNI
20,000 +
ALUMNI IN THE BOSTON METRO AREA
Pamela Trafford, MBA, teaches Financial and Managerial Accounting
Anurag Sharma, PhD, teaches Organizational Strategy
Expert faculty lead the way.
Isenberg faculty are recruited from around the world and include award-winning research scholars and experts from many industries. These committed instructors share their extensive professional experience to help you develop your business skills and knowledge. Respecting the fact that Isenberg students come from diverse career backgrounds, faculty members strive to provide challenging coursework that is both instantly applicable to current positions and foundational to future career goals.
For more than 15 years, I’ve taught on-campus and online MBA students at Isenberg. I take great satisfaction in designing and teaching rigorous courses that provide our students with the analytical skills and business perspectives expected of today’s global leaders.
SHMERLING, PHD, TEACHES STRATEGIC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Traci Hess, PhD, teaches Business Intelligence and Analytics
Professor Emeritus Bob Nakosteen, PhD teaches Economic Analysis for Managers
SHIRLEY
Selecting the program that’s right for you.
Isenberg’s graduate business programs provide a life-changing opportunity to shape your career exactly how you envision it. Whether you choose to earn your degree on campus or online, our faculty, coursework, real-world experiences, professional networking, and career support focus on preparing you for your goals.
From our world-class MBA to an array of career-enhancing specialized master’s degrees and certificate programs, at Isenberg, you will have the opportunity to learn at your own pace, because however you work best is how we work best together.
AACSB ACCREDITED
The Isenberg School of Management is accredited by AACSB, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The requirements of AACSB accreditation make it the highest standard of quality (only 25 percent of U.S. business schools achieve AACSB International accreditation). Alumni of AACSB-accredited schools are among the world’s most influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
BUSINESS ANALYTICS
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
FORENSIC ACCOUNTING
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
FOUNDATIONS OF MANAGEMENT
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
The Isenberg MBA is a direct reflection of the students who earn it. It is about rigor and a no-shortcuts approach to achievement. Designed for career builders and career changers, it puts a strong emphasis on practical experience and collaborative learning. A demanding curriculum, accomplished faculty, and supportive community anchor the program, whether students choose to complete it on campus or online. The Isenberg MBA helps you reach your goals and empowers you to forge new pathways in your field.
On-Campus Master of BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
ON-CAMPUS, FULL-TIME MBA
The On-Campus MBA at Isenberg is a comprehensive residential program at the UMass Amherst flagship campus. It’s perfect if you seek a practical education that emphasizes real-world, team-based learning, preparing you to shape (or reshape) the business world and your career.
Designed with a strong focus on career development, the Isenberg OnCampus MBA enhances presentation skills, refines resumes, and fosters networking through team-building exercises from the outset. Isenberg’s Office of Career Success provides access to career coaches and IConnect, an online platform for ongoing professional development.
AN EDUCATION AND AN EXPERIENCE
You will start your MBA experience with the David C. O’Leary ’81 MBA Leadership Orientation Program where you will participate in team-building and professional development exercises. In your first year on campus, you will participate in a semester-long team-based consulting project, partnering with a local business or non-profit organization. Independent studies further enrich your Isenberg MBA experience by providing you the opportunity to work with our renowned faculty—from developing business plans to designing innovative financial models for the industry of your choice.
more at isenberg.umass.edu/on-campus-mba
DUAL DEGREES AND FOCUS AREAS
Isenberg offers you the opportunity to add a focused expertise to your MBA or earn a dual degree in your area of choice. Choose from an existing focus option—business analytics, entrepreneurship, finance, healthcare administration, marketing, or sport management—or build your own specialized business focus.
Dual Degree Options:
• MBA/MS Business Analytics (also available online)
• MBA/Master Public Policy & Administration
• MBA/MS Sport Management
TUITION Contact us at grad@isenberg.umass.edu
START DATE Fall
APPLICATION DEADLINES
• Round 3: April 1 (U.S. applicants only) ON-CAMPUS MBA
• Early Action: Nov. 1
• Round 1: Dec. 1
• Round 2: Feb. 1
Online Master of BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Our Isenberg Online MBA, a nationally top-ranked program, gives you the tools you need to build a dynamic future by fitting your studies into the reality of your life. It is the perfect program for working professionals looking to develop their business acumen, become leaders in their industry, or specialize in a particular business discipline.
Combining the quality curriculum of our On-Campus MBA with the flexibility of the online platform, our Online MBA provides quality learning tailored to each student’s schedule and timetable. Students can choose to complete their degree 100 percent online or take classes online and in-person with our Hybrid MBA option.
COMMITMENT Part-time
WORK EXPERIENCE 3 years required
DURATION 2–4 years
CREDITS 37–39 minimum
TUITION $925/credit
START DATE Fall, Spring, Summer
APPLICATION DEADLINES
• Fall Start: Priority June 1, Final July 15
• Spring Start: Priority Oct. 1, Final Nov. 15
• Summer Start: Priority Feb. 1, Final March 15
FOCUS AREAS
Students with specific careers in mind will have the opportunity to tailor the MBA with a focused expertise. This additional 9-credit specialization can help propel you into the exact job you want. Focus areas include business analytics, entrepreneurship, finance, healthcare administration, marketing, and sport management.
HYBRID MBA
If you live or work in the Greater Boston area and prefer to complement your online experience with some face-to-face exposure to materials, faculty, and colleagues, our Hybrid MBA is for you. It provides the opportunity to mix online learning with in-person, weeknight classes at our satellite location in Boston.
The flexibility of in-person or online classes allowed me to balance raising my family, my career, and my coursework. It was easy to stay organized and move through the requirements, and each class could be immediately applied to my work.
MICHELLE EQUALE ’13 LARGE GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER, EMPOWER
Master of Science in BUSINESS ANALYTICS
The Isenberg Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) can be completed in as little as one year, which you’ll spend studying and working with equally driven peers to shape and improve your future. MSBA students choose between two tracks—Business Foundations or Data Analytics—depending on career goals and prior business experience. Students can choose to further deepen their knowledge of data analytics by undertaking the optional concentration in Advanced Analytics. Regardless of your analytics career track, the MSBA will enhance your career opportunities by developing your data manipulation, visualization, and analysis skills, preparing you to excel in datadriven fields.
Data is everywhere and every organization needs to apply data analytics. That’s why you need to pursue an MSBA. But don’t let the focus on analytics fool you—this single degree supports a diverse range of career paths and industry opportunities. Students currently enrolled in the MSBA program are sharpening their skills for positions in business development, consulting, product management, health care analytics, digital marketing, and consumer insights and analytics. Graduates of the program have gone on to successful careers with companies such as Staples, Oracle, Amazon, PWC, Digital Sports Tech, and Macy’s.
APPLICATION DEADLINES Fall Start
• Priority: June 1
• Final: July 15
Spring Start
• Priority: Oct. 1
• Final: Nov. 15
Summer Start
• Priority: Feb. 1
• Final: March 15
HOW WILL YOU EARN YOUR MSBA?
Fall Start
• Early Action: Feb. 1
• Regular: April 1
• Extended: June 1*
Spring Start
• Early Action: Aug. 1
• Regular: Oct. 1
• Extended: Nov. 1*
Fall Start
• Early Action: Feb. 1
• Regular: April 1
• Extended: June 1*
We all have unique demands on our lives. That’s why Isenberg’s MSBA program offers on-campus and online study options to fit your life, all with the same industry-leading expert instructors.
START ONLINE, FINISH ON CAMPUS START ON CAMPUS, FINISH ONLINE
If your schedule demands flexibility to accommodate a planned vacation or work commitment, you can complete your first three MSBA classes online in the summer before settling in for two semesters of on-campus studies in Amherst or Newton. Or start on-campus and finish online after receiving an amazing job offer.
ONLINE MASTER’S IN BUSINESS PROGRAMS (U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2024) #6
For international students, the MSBA offered on both the Amherst or Newton campuses is ideal. Its STEM OPT classification allows students to extend their time in the U.S. to gain practical work experience and the CPT requirements allow them to accept paid internships.
*Domestic applicants and international students currently on a Visa studying in the U.S.
BEST
Master of Science in ACCOUNTING
With an MS in Accounting from Isenberg, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to break away from the competition. Working with internationally recognized faculty, you will learn to apply real-world solutions and practices through a progressive curriculum and hands-on problem solving.
The MS in Accounting degree equips you for all aspects of accounting and auditing, including tax implications, financial valuation, ethical standards, changing technologies, and professional speaking and writing. Optional 9-credit focuses are available in data analytics, forensic accounting, and taxation to enhance your degree and allow you to home in on specific career opportunities.
Which track is right for you?
The Isenberg MS in Accounting offers two tracks to meet you where you are and better serve your career goals. Students in both tracks earn the same industry-recognized degree and gain knowledge applicable to a number of accounting-related certifications in the field.
PROFESSIONAL TRACK
If you have already earned an undergraduate degree in accounting, the 30-credit Professional Track will enable you to get a head start in the competitive job market. You’ll advance your accounting knowledge, enhance your understanding of the tax implications behind business decisions, gain expertise in financial valuation, and explore ethical standards.
TRANSITIONS TRACK
With any undergraduate degree, including social sciences or economics, you can shift gears into the world of accounting and auditing. The 33- to 45-credit Transitions Track, offered 100 percent online, is designed for students with non-accounting degrees who want to enter the accounting or auditing fields.
AACSB ACCREDITED
Only 1 percent of business schools worldwide earn separate accreditation in accounting. Isenberg is one of the elite few to earn this prestigious AACSB designation. REPUTATION
• Fall Start: Priority June 1, Final July 15
• Spring Start: Priority Oct. 1, Final Nov. 15
• Summer Start: Priority Feb. 1, Final March 15
Specialized Training MASTER OF FINANCE
The Master of Finance delivers the specialized skills and expertise needed to succeed in the fast-growing, complex asset management industry. Cutting-edge knowledge of best practices and ethics as well as a full range of strategies is essential to thriving in the industry. Master of Finance students choose between two asset management specialty areas; Alternative Investments and Real Estate. This program equips you with the skills to create and grow wealth, manage risk, and distinguish yourself in the field—making you a highly desirable candidate for some high-paying finance internships and careers.
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS
The Master of Finance, with a specialization in Alternative Investments, prepares students for creating and growing wealth across a broad array of asset classes such as hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, commodities, and more. Faculty infuse theory with hands-on learning and extend the classroom experience through industry partnerships with the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association (CAIA) and the Journal of Alternative Investments (JAI).
MASTER OF FINANCE PROGRAM DETAILS
COMMITMENT Full-time
DURATION 1 year
CREDITS 30
TUITION $1,400/credit
START DATE Fall
APPLICATION DEADLINES Fall Start
• Early Action: Feb. 1
• Regular: April 1
• Extended: June 1*
*Domestic applicants and international students currently on a Visa studying in the U.S.
REAL ESTATE
The Master of Finance with a specialty in Real Estate includes practical, industryrelevant training to help prepare students for possible careers in Capital Markets, Development, Investment, Asset Management, Debt Lending, Advisory, Brokerage, and Corporate Services. The courses are taught by a combination of research faculty and faculty with deep industry expertise and incorporate strong modeling and Argus certification training. Students will benefit from a program that balances analytics, judgment, and practical decision-making.
Online Graduate Certificates AT ISENBERG
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS ANALYTICS
Organizations in all industries are generating large amounts of data and are looking for business professionals who can analyze that data and help improve business efficiency, financial performance, and make better strategic decisions. Students in the Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics learn how to retrieve and manipulate data, and then visualize and analyze using the latest industry tools.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN FORENSIC ACCOUNTING
The Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting is ideal for professionals seeking to enhance their careers and stay on top of challenges in the ever-changing world of business. Students in this program are taught to track patterns of financial transactions and identify discrepancies within the corporate environment. All courses can be used to fulfill the continuing professional education requirements for licensed CPAs.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN FOUNDATIONS OF MANAGEMENT
Build a career foundation with the Graduate Certificate in Foundations of Management. Explore executive perspectives on marketing, emphasizing strategic decision-making. Delve into leadership and organizational behavior, adopting empowering approaches. Gain practical knowledge for enhanced capabilities in marketing, leadership, and organizational dynamics that support career growth.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Tailored for excellence in project delivery, the Graduate Certificate in Project Management program provides technical, leadership, and strategic skills. Explore project management theories, tools, and techniques, including Agile and Scrum methodologies. Attain a competitive edge in planning and executing projects, unlocking opportunities for leadership roles, increased responsibilities, and advancement across diverse industries.
Continue your pursuit of professional growth
All credits earned in the Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics, Foundations of Management, and Project Management are transferable to the Online MBA or MSBA degree programs.
All credits earned in the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting are transferable to the MS in Accounting degree.
Get a degree from one of the best public business schools in the country.
The Isenberg School of Management is part of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, one of the leading public research universities in the United States. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst is the flagship campus of the five-campus UMass system and is ranked one of the nation’s top public research universities by U.S. News & World Report. As the largest public university in New England, it incorporates modern teaching methods with new communication and information technology, yet remains an immersive, residential campus serving approximately 30,000 students across an array of academic programs.
We make sure your years with Isenberg build creativity, critical thinking, leadership, interpersonal communication, and cultural intelligence so you’ll become more agile and adaptable— ready to embrace change.
ANNE MASSEY
DEAN AND THOMAS O’BRIEN ENDOWED CHAIR ISENBERG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Every step of the way.
Deciding to pursue a graduate degree is a career-impacting decision, and along the way you will have many important considerations. From the moment you connect with us at Isenberg, a recruitment specialist will be available to answer any questions you might have. Whether you need assistance with the application process or have questions about the coursework, they’ll have you covered.
At Isenberg, we ensure that your dedicated academic advisor will truly get to know you, your goals, your personality, and your ambitions so they can help guide you toward success. That’s why your advisor will stay with you—fully supporting your needs— from enrollment until the day you graduate, and beyond.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
• Application and fee
• Personal statement
• Resumé/CV
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• Two letters of recommendation
CONTACT
• GMAT/GRE score (waivers available)
• For non-native English speakers only: English language proficiency scores
• Interview (On-Campus MBA and MF only)
Isenberg Graduate Programs Office grad@isenberg.umass.edu | 413.545.5608 | isenberg.umass.edu/contact-us
Voices of Isenberg
The school and its leadership have really invested in the vision of being a top public research institution. Isenberg’s strengths are its career and professional connections, and developing talent within students.
KWABENA ASANTE ’19
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ANALYTICS
One key element is the small class size and diversity. I knew that I was going to get individualized attention and was going to create relationships in my cohort that felt strong and supported my ultimate goals.
SARAH HUMPHRIES ’23
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION,
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ANALYTICS
As someone looking to make a career pivot from the education industry, Isenberg’s On-Campus MBA program gave me room to explore interests in finance and analytics and helped me develop the quantitative and technical skill sets I will need to be successful in my next career.
ALLISON O’NEILL ‘19
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
As co-founder of a startup, I quickly realized that despite having worked as an executive, I had gaps in data handling arenas, which are principal to my work. The Isenberg School of Management filled those gaps and helped me become a stronger business leader with a deeper background in analytics tooling and strategy.
ANNA MCCARTHY ‘20 MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ANALYTICS
Isenberg has every resource that you need to help build your career. The Career Center helps you write your resume and prepare you for job interviews. We took a class that helps you build your LinkedIn profile and really expand your network.
JENNA COX ‘23 MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACCONTING
Isenberg School of Management
University of Massachusetts Amherst 121 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA 01003 www.isenberg.umass.edu
The Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has New England’s top-ranked public business school undergraduate program, according to U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1947, Isenberg is AACSB accredited and has 4,300 undergraduates majoring in seven business disciplines, ranging from accounting and marketing to sport and hospitality and tourism management. More than 2,000 students are enrolled in nationally and internationally recognized on-campus and online graduate programs. The school’s 44,000 alumni live and work in 86 countries, and many of them serve as mentors, guest lecturers, and network connectors for Isenberg.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst, one of the nation’s top-ranked public universities, is located in the heart of New England where our 24,000 undergraduate and 7,800 graduate students discover their strengths, expand their vision, and reach out to change the world. Here we have more than 1,400 full-time faculty members dedicated to creating vast opportunities for our students. UMass Amherst is distinguished not only by the excellence and breadth of its research and academic programs but by a diverse community united in the commitment to the relentless pursuit of progress. For more information, visit: umass.edu.
