
Master’s in Management and Organization
Discover your leadership potential and drive organizational success with CU Denver’s online management degree.
The fully online MS in Management and Organization equips you with the skills needed to lead people and organizations. This degree program focuses on developing human-centric leadership abilities while helping you implement data-driven strategies and navigate organizational change.
- Fully online format designed for working professionals.
- Graduate in as few as 24 months with full-time study.
- Specialize in Business Strategy and Innovation, Leadership and Change Management, or Managing for Sustainability—or customize your program with a general track.
- Flexible eight-week course formats to fit your schedule.
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Degree LevelMaster's
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School & CollegeBusiness School
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Total Credit Hours30
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Class Type100% Online
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Time CommitmentFull-Time or Part-Time
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Start Term(s)Fall, Spring, Summer
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Program Overview
The online MS in Management is designed to be a highly flexible degree that prepares ambitious professionals for executive, leadership, and managerial roles in any number of different industries. The program is made for people who want to make an impact in their workplace. It’s designed for the Senior Recruiter who wants to build a more diverse employee population. It’s for the Operations Manager who wants to slash their company’s carbon footprint. It teaches students how to merge data-driven decision making with the social and emotional intelligence required to be an effective leader.

Whether you’re an established leader looking to take your career to new heights or a newcomer to management, the online Master’s in Management curriculum can be customized to align with your career aspirations.
Upon finishing the program, you will be able to:
- Collaborate effectively, leverage teamwork, and demonstrate leadership skills within diverse business teams and different business settings.
- Develop human resources and make managerial decisions that support employee development and organizational success.
- Evaluate external and internal environmental characteristics and their impact on organizational design and management decisions.
- Apply effective professional communication skills to business situations.
- Analyze how management decisions and organizational design align with an organization’s goals and strategy.
- Analyze how to lead in various organizational contexts to meet organizational and stakeholder goals, including organizational change.
- Analyze ethical dilemmas within their legal and social contexts and make decisions in the best interest of employees, the organization, and other key stakeholders.
Tuition Breakdown
Resident | Non-Resident |
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$750 per credit | $875* per credit |
*Out-of-state students may qualify for discounted tuition through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.
Courses
The core classes in the MS in Management curriculum are designed to impart students with the foundational knowledge every leader needs to motivate their team, navigate change, and build stronger organizations. From there, students are invited to choose up to two specializations or pursue a General Track curriculum that aligns with their own professional interests.
Core Courses
Begin your degree by building a strong foundation of leadership and organizational structure and change.
Course Number | Course Description |
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BUSN 6520 | Leading Individuals and Teams |
MGMT 6320 | Leading Organizational Change |
MGMT 6360 | Designing Effective Organizations |
MGMT 6380 | Managing People for Competitive Advantage |
Specializations
There are three specializations within the MIM degree and students can graduate with up to two specializations, if desired. Students are not required to choose a specialization and can instead elect to pursue a general track.
Specializations require 9 hours of related coursework each. No matter which path you choose, the total number of credit hours required for graduation is 30. No additional coursework/time is required in order to graduate with a specialization.
- Strategic Management
- Business Strategy
- Sustainable Change Leadership
- Bargaining and Negotiation
- Business Model Development and Planning
- Visionary Leadership
- Leadership Development
- Bargaining and Negotiation
- Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Business Strategy
- Sustainable Change Leadership
- Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Marketing and Sustainability
- Supply Chain Management
- Global Climate Change
This specialization hones a leader’s ability to think critically about the structures of organizations and industries. Students will learn to analyze competition, create business models, and become better negotiators while driving a culture of innovation in their workplace.
Course topics include:
Business Strategy and Innovation Specialization Courses
Select 3 of the following:
Course Number | Course Title |
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MGMT 6610 OR MGMT 6825 | Business Strategy Lab OR Sustainable Change Leadership: Turning Business Into a Force for Good |
MGMT 6620 | Strategic Management |
MGMT 6804 | Negotiation and Conflict Management |
ENTP 6020 | Business Model Development & Planning |
ENTP 6020 OR ENTP 6620 | Business Model Development & Planning OR New Venture Operations and Project Management |
INTB 6000 | Introduction to International Business |
Strong leaders know how to motivate their teams through times of change and, ideally, ensure those changes benefit their organization. Learn the art of overseeing successful organizational change and become a champion for progress in your area of expertise.
Course topics include:
Leadership and Change Management Specialization Courses
Select 3 of the following:
Course Number | Course Description |
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MGMT 6803 | Visionary Leadership |
MGMT 6804 | Negotiation and Conflict Management |
MGMT 6822 | Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility |
MGMT 6610 OR MGMT 6825 | Business Strategy Lab OR Sustainable Change Leadership: Turning Business Into a Force for Good |
Leaders in both the public and private sectors are expected to embrace social and environmental responsibility as essential to their operations. In the Managing for Sustainability specialization, you’ll focus on ethical business practices, learn about the science behind climate change, and find new ways to implement sustainability-minded policies wherever your career takes you.
Course topics include:
Managing for Sustainability Specialization Courses
Select 3 of the following:
Course Number | Course Title |
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MGMT 6821 | Managing for Sustainability |
MGMT 6822 | Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility |
MGMT 6825 | Sustainable Change Leadership: Turning Business Into a Force for Good |
MGMT 6826 | Business for a Better World |
MGMT 6827 | Global Climate Change |
One of the MS in Management program’s greatest benefits is that it can be customized to meet your own specific career goals. Aside from four core management classes, students are welcome to customize their curriculum. They can explore all three of the specializations above or pursue a self-directed degree that incorporates six elective courses of their choosing.
General Track & Electives
Support your MIM degree with other business and management courses relevant to your success. If you do not choose a specialization, you will complete 18 hours of electives.
Career Outlook
What is the Projected Salary of an Individual Working in Management and Organization?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals working in management and organization earned annual median salaries of the following in 2023:
- Training and Development Managers: $125,040
- Human Resources Managers: $136,350
- Public Relations and Fundraising Managers: $130,480
- Administrative Services and Facilities Managers: $104,900
- Medical and Health Services Managers: $110,680
What Can I Do with a Master’s in Management and Organization?
Pursuing an online master’s in management can set you up for leadership roles in virtually any industry. Our program is designed for the serious professional looking to thrive at the executive or managerial level. Throughout your educational journey and professional career, you’ll have access to the CU Denver Business School’s world-class alumni network and career services team.
Possible Career Paths
Professionals with a Master's Degree in Management and Organization will be prepared for many leadership and management roles across the spectrum of business and industry. Where you choose to focus is up to you but here are some example of different career paths.
Training and Development Managers are responsible for bringing out the best in people. They generally work on Human Resources teams and oversee employee training, performance management, and employee recognition. They create broad strategies to foster a culture of learning at an organizational level and also work with individuals to develop marketable skills.
Human Resources Managers are in charge of driving personnel decisions for companies and organizations of every shape and size. They recruit and interview professionals, resolve employee conflicts, administer performance review cycles, coordinate benefits, and much more. The people-centric approach of the MS in Management program makes it a perfect segue for leadership roles for rising HR professionals.
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers act as the public face and promoter-in-chief for non-profit organizations. Some of their responsibilities include hosting press conferences, charitable events, and donation drives to raise funds for a specific cause. They also manage an organization's relationship with key donors and ensure that the press stays abreast of the organization’s positive impact on their community.
Administrative Services and Facilities Managers ensure that businesses, and the campuses on which they do business, are operating smoothly. They oversee official records and clerical personnel and typically help make sure an organization has the supplies and inventory it needs to do business. Facilities-heavy managerial roles involve managing building maintenance, landscape teams, and an organization’s transition towards more environmentally sustainable operations.
Medical and Health Services Managers make sure hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare groups are serving patients and employees to the best of their abilities. Some Medical and Health Services Managers work in a clinical setting while others take on administrative roles. They work with doctors, nurses, insurance companies, and the government to deliver high-quality medical care to their communities. Whatever your goals and passions may be, an MS in Management and Organization can help you stand out in virtually any job market.
Recruiting and Career Coaching
You'll have full access to our Business Career Connections team for life. With over 10 years of recruiting and advising experience, they'll help you navigate your way through the corporate recruiting process.
Our career services include:
- Career Workshops – Perfect your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job search process
- Individual Appointments – Explore what your personal career path looks like, review your resume, or schedule a mock interview
- Career Events – Hone your networking skills and meet hiring managers from top companies
- Job Announcements – Monthly emails with the latest job and internship opportunities specific to your degree

Our connections to over 300 business partners provide exclusive opportunities to network with industry leaders in the Denver metro area and beyond.
Admissions
Our online MS in Management degree is designed for people from any academic background who are looking to build their career as a leader and manager, so students from all undergraduate majors are welcome to apply.

Admission Requirements
Once you’re ready to apply to the Master’s in Management program, you’ll need to submit the following application materials by the deadline:
- $50 application fee for domestic applicants; $75 fee for international applicants
- Online application
- Official transcripts from every college or university attended
- Essay responses
- Resume/CV
- Letters of recommendation, if applicable
- GRE or GMAT test scores, if required
- English Language Proficiency scores (international applicants only)

Get Personalized Support for Your Application
When you’re ready to apply to the MS in Management program, our CU Denver Enrollment Team will help walk you through the entire process, from gathering required materials and submitting your application to checking your admission status and enrolling in CU Denver. After you submit your completed application and required materials, you will be able to check your admission status online. You’ll receive a final admission decision by email within two to three weeks of completing your application.
GMAT/GRE Optional
Applicants who meet the following criteria are not required to submit GMAT or GRE scores for admission to the MS in Management program:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better from a US accredited four-year undergraduate institution -OR- the successful completion of a graduate degree program
- 5+ years of full-time professional work experience
If you received your bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of less than 3.25 or have less than 5 years of professional work experience, you will be asked to submit GMAT or GRE scores. You may also be asked to clarify your relevant professional experience or provide additional information not evident in your application that may qualify you for admission.
Testimonial

How is a Master’s in Management different from an MBA?
While an MBA generally focuses on a wide variety of business functions like finance, accounting, operations, and marketing, the MS in Management is geared towards leading people and teams. Whatever path you choose, you’ll receive a quality education from the University of Colorado and be well-positioned for future leadership roles.
- Change management
- Organizational strategy
- Negotiation techniques
- Business ethics
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Applied economics
- Strategic management
- Accounting
- Information systems
- Marketing dynamics
As an MS in Management student, you’ll learn about the social, strategic, and organizational aspects of leadership. Core classes focus on the fundamental skills every manager needs: leading individuals, leading teams, designing effective organizations, and acquiring competitive advantages.
If you decide to pursue a specialization, you’ll be able to develop your expertise in specific management topics such as sustainability, change management, or strategy and innovation. These elective courses give you the opportunity to carve out a niche for yourself in the professional world by teaching you specific managerial skills.
MS in Management consists of 30 credit hours of coursework compared to 45 credit hours for an MBA. Many students are able to complete the MS in Management more quickly and at less cost compared to an MBA.
Examples of course topics you’ll study as an MS in Management student include:
CU Denver also offers a fully online MBA that focuses on building a traditional business foundation. In an MBA program, you’ll study key business topics like economics, finance, marketing, and operations — all of which will help you run a more efficient, productive business.
The MBA program offers a specialization in Management, which covers topics that are similar to what one might learn in the MS in Management program, but also covers essential business functions outside of management. With an MBA in Management, you’ll gain a broader background in business systems as well as management, whereas with a MS in Management you’ll focus specifically on personnel management and organizational leadership. Overall an MBA is designed to prepare you with a broad skill set focused on advanced business principles.
Examples of course topics you’ll study as an MBA student include:
Tuition and Financial Aid
At CU Denver, we strive to keep our tuition costs affordable so that you can get a world-class education that fits your budget. When you earn a degree, you’re not simply getting a diploma—you’re making a lifelong investment in yourself and empowering your future career. We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education.
Our CU Denver Enrollment Team can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to corporate tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your CU Denver degree.
- In state tuition: $750 per credit hour
- Out of state tuition: $875 per credit hour*
- Estimated total tuition (in state): $21,600
- Estimated total tuition (out of state): $25,170*
- One-time application fee: $50 ($75 for international students)
Fees are determined by each student’s residency status, desired coursework, and the modality in which they choose to pursue their degree. For detailed information on applicable fees, we recommend filling out the form at the top of this page or speaking with our CU Denver Enrollment Team.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for eligible students to use toward paying educational costs while enrolled in a CU Denver program. To determine your eligibility and apply for financial aid, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When you submit your FAFSA, you will be considered for three types of aid: grants, work-study, and student loans. To be considered for federal financial aid, you will need to apply early and annually.
Ways to Save Money
Scholarships
Once admitted to CU Denver, you can access our scholarship portal to apply for various funding opportunities. Scholarships don’t need to be repaid and are available each semester.
Transfer Credits
As a transfer student, your previous coursework may count toward your CU Denver degree, saving you tuition costs and time. A transfer credit evaluation will be done upon admission.
Veteran & Military Student Benefits
CU Denver offers military-friendly support, including waived application fees, GI Bill benefits, and credit for military training through the Veteran & Military Student Services.

This accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools, with less than six percent of the world’s business programs obtaining AACSB accreditation.
The CU Denver Business School is accredited by AACSB International, a global nonprofit association that is committed to providing excellence in education for future business leaders. As an AACSB accredited degree, the Master’s in Management and Organization program must meet rigorous academic standards and commit to providing high-quality education through strategic curriculum design and dynamic thought leadership.
Experience flexible, career-focused programs with CU Denver’s renowned quality—100% online—taught by expert faculty in engaging courses within a supportive community, all at an affordable tuition with financial aid and scholarships available.

Flexible, career-focused programs with the same CU Denver quality—100% online.

Expert faculty, engaging courses, and a supportive online community.

Affordable tuition with financial aid and scholarships for online students.

Take The Next Step
Ready to make a difference in the lives of families and communities? Take the first step toward earning your online degree by filling out the form above for more information or calling us at 303-860-5604.