Full-time UST MBA

About the Program

Why Choose UST?

The right M.B.A. is more than just three letters. The Full-time UST MBA is the right choice for many reasons.

For the Chance to Lead
For the Ethical Approach to Business
For the Small Size
For the Personal Focus
For the History of Excellence
For the Chance to Thrive
For the Power of An Alumni Network

   For the Chance to Lead

True leaders lead with conviction and authority. In the ever-shifting landscape of today’s business world, those who are able to reason critically, act wisely, and work skillfully in any situation can achieve success and affect change. These are the skills you will develop and build upon in the Full-time UST MBA.

In just 21 months, graduate business students study and implement the concepts critical to a solid understanding of business.

You practice what you learn in our leadership, communication and ethics labs then apply this practice by managing a consulting project for a Minneapolis/St. Paul organization.

You confront the ethical and strategic issues associated with operating in a borderless market through your work on a global business case.

And you visit local organizations—both entrepreneurial start-ups and established Fortune 500 companies—to observe how business theory is applied in the real world.

The confidence and experience you gain from this applied learning will help you confront and resolve issues you encounter throughout your professional career.

   For the Ethical Approach to Business

A UST MBA has a point of view. We believe that a business leader has the skills to make tough decisions and the values to make the right decisions. We’re not shy about challenging your thinking or about testing your values.

Our focus on ethics and exceptional decision-making skills is woven throughout the curriculum. Stakeholder Dialogue events are hosted by the college to increase understanding of current ethical issues, such as executive compensation, environmental concerns and stakeholder expectations. These events engage both students and the wider business community in the Twin Cities area.

The college is affiliated with the Center for Ethical Business Cultures to promote ethical business environments and responsible corporate citizenship. In addition, the university created the Koch Endowed Chair in Business Ethics to ensure that ethics education remains a priority.

As a graduate, you will not only have the skills to lead, but will have developed the sound judgment to help you lead with conviction.

   For the Small Size

The Full-time UST MBA is deliberately small, limited to 100 candidates per year. The average core class meets in sections of 30-35 students, while elective  classes typically meet in groups of 15-30. This small size is critical in creating the cohort instrumental to your learning outcomes.

This focus on building teams allows you to hone your organizational skills while you hone your business skills—and will allow you to decide if there is a difference between the two. You and your classmates will work together on disparate projects. This experience will be invaluable when you return to the workplace as an employee, a team member, and a manager.

   For the Personal Focus

At UST, you receive personal attention from staff in the form of focused, individualized career counseling and academic advising. UST staff never forget that students are the core of our institution, our best and most treasured asset.

You will also develop thoughtful and extensive relationships with our faculty. Every business school brags about its faculty—we are no different. But we are different in the ways in which our faculty engage our students. While they are proven thinkers, compelling analysts, active researchers, and innovative entrepreneurs, they are first and foremost teachers. Our highly-credentialed faculty take an active role in mentoring you to ensure your ongoing development.

   For the History of Excellence

The University of St. Thomas has a long history of academic excellence, providing a first-class education to thousands of business students for more than 100 years.

Founded in 1885 by Archbishop John Ireland, the University of St. Thomas is a Catholic, independent, liberal arts, archdiocesan university that emphasizes values-centered, career-oriented education. Our mission is simple: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely and work skillfully to advance the common good.

   For the Chance to Thrive

Our location in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, allows you to pursue your degree, as well as your personal and professional goals, in a thriving metropolitan community. Home to more than 20 Fortune 500 companies, hundreds of artistic and cultural venues, and miles of waterways, lakes, parks, and recreational areas, the Twin Cities is a vibrant and rewarding place to live and work.

Minneapolis/St. Paul is home to leaders in retail (Best Buy and Target), financial services (US Bank and Ameriprise), health care (United Health and Medtronic), consumer products (3M and General Mills), and industrial products (Valspar, Imation). You’ll encounter our graduates at each and every one of these companies.

The area’s diverse economy provides our students with a fertile business laboratory. If you are interested in established international companies, they’re here. If you’re interested in large innovative organizations, they’re here. And, because of the region’s rich tradition of private and corporate philanthropy, you’ll also find the Twin Cities an idea place to become involved in progressive social programs and non-profit organizations.

   For the Power of an Alumni Network

A significant part of any advanced business education should be exposure to a variety of industries. Developing a broad knowledge of the business climate during your education can only help you down the road. Your fellow UST alumni will help you do just that.

Throughout your two years at UST they will be guest lecturers in your classes, sponsors of internships and mentors. In the years following they will be a rich professional network to help you accelerate your career. And they’ll continue to learn with you at on-campus events featuring leaders ranging from Microsoft’s Bill Gates to Michael P. Wareing, the CEO of KPMG.

Since its inception more than 30 years ago, the UST MBA has educated more than 15,000 students. They have built careers at Fortune 500 companies in Minnesota, across the U.S. and around the world. They are entrepreneurs and CEOs, analysts and brand managers. They work for companies you know well, such as 3M and General Mills, and they lead exciting start-ups you have not yet heard of—yet. We encourage you to become part of this powerful network.