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Management Master’s Degree Program

  • Online Courses

    11 out of 12 total courses

  • On-Campus Experience

    2 weekends or 3-week summer course

  • Tuition

    $3,220 per course

woman in management position holding meeting

Expand your leadership skills and position yourself for the next step in your career.

From finance and organizational behavior to strategy and marketing — acquire the core knowledge you need to gain more managerial responsibility and become an effective leader. Our online program features a brief on-campus experience at Harvard, where you’ll bridge theory and practice — and make meaningful connections.

Program Overview

Every organization needs strong leaders at the helm. Are you ready to take on the challenge? Management jobs are expected to grow 8 percent over the next several years, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. A master’s degree in management will provide a strong foundation for your professional future.

Our Management Master’s Degree Program provides a well-rounded curriculum that covers a variety of essential topics. Explore economic theory, corporate responsibility, and business communications with expert faculty. You’ll gain insight into the latest management theories and practices through case studies, group projects, and active learning experiences.

Program Benefits

  • Map with a flag.

    Customizable path, stackable certificates, & experiential learning

  • Teacher speaking to class.

    Instructors who are academics and industry professionals at the top of their fields

  • Two people talking at a table.

    Personalized academic & career advising

  • Lightbulb in a hand.

    Entrepreneurial opportunities through the Harvard Innovation Labs

  • Texbook.

    Paid research options

  • Graduation cap and diploma.

    Harvard Alumni Association membership upon graduation

Customizable Course Curriculum

Our curriculum is flexible in pace and customizable by design. You can study part time, choosing courses that fit your schedule and align with your career goals. In the program, you’ll experience the convenience of online learning and the immersive benefits of learning in person.

As you work your way through the program’s core courses, you’ll deepen your knowledge of essential management concepts, tools, and strategies. Then, you’ll build on that foundation by selecting elective courses to tailor your experience, focusing on the areas that are most important to you.

11 Online Courses

  • Synchronous and asynchronous
  • Fall, spring, January, and summer options

On-Campus Experience

You’ll complete 1 degree requirement in person at Harvard, at an accelerated or standard pace:

  • 2 weekends in fall or spring
  • 3 weeks in the summer

Admissions

The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program.

You first register for and complete 3 degree courses, earning at least a B in each. These foundational courses are investments in your studies. They count toward your degree and help ensure success in the program.

As an alternative, you may choose to earn one of the following credentials as part of your admissions path: HBS Online CORe Admissions Pathway or the MITx MicroMasters® Program Pathway.

Getting Started

We invite you to explore degree requirements, confirm your initial eligibility, and learn more about our unique “earn your way in” admissions process.

Earning a Stackable Certificate

As you work your way toward your master’s degree, you can take courses that also count — or “stack” — toward a graduate or micocertificate. It’s a cost-effective, time-saving opportunity to build specialized skills and earn more professional credentials.

Stackable certificates in 12 different business fields are available. For each certificate, you can choose courses that best fit your goals.

Here are just a few examples of stackable certificates.

Corporate Sustainability and Innovation

Gain the skills you need to help your organization adopt sustainable practices with this graduate certificate.

Sample stackable courses:

  • Applied Corporate Responsibility
  • Sustainable Marketing and Branding
  • Breakthrough Innovation with Blockchain Technology
  • Foundations of Sustainable Development

Learn more about the Corporate Sustainability and Innovation Graduate Certificate.

Organizational Behavior

Develop a deeper understanding of human behavior in an organizational setting with this graduate certificate.

Sample stackable courses:

  • Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution
  • Managing Yourself and Leading Others
  • Gender, Leadership, and Management
  • Leading Through Change

Learn more about the Organizational Behavior Graduate Certificate.

Marketing Management and Digital Strategy

Gain the tools and techniques you need to engage audiences and inspire action in today’s complex multichannel landscape with this graduate certificate.

Sample stackable courses:

  • Marketing Analytics: Fundamental Data-Driven Marketing
  • Digital Marketing: Foundations and Framework for Success
  • Strategic Brand Marketing
  • International Marketing

Learn more about the Marketing Management and Digital Strategy Graduate Certificate.

Project Management Methodologies

Learn techniques, methodologies, and frameworks to lead a complex project management process from beginning to end.

Courses

  • Required: MGMT 5030 Project Management (Fall, Spring, & January)
  • Choose 1 from 2 options:
    • MGMT 5044 Product Development with Scrum (Fall 2 & Spring 1)
    • MGMT 5042 Agile Project Management (Fall & Spring)

Learn more about the Project Management Methodologies microcertificate.

Wellbeing at Work

Motivated and engaged employees are more likely to contribute to a positive workplace culture and increase overall effectiveness.

Courses

  • MGMT 4520 The Science of Happiness and Wellbeing (Fall 1)
  • MGMT 4500 Work and Wellbeing (Spring)

Learn more about the Wellbeing at Work microcertificate.

A Faculty of Management Experts

Studying at Harvard Extension School means learning from the world’s best. Our instructors are renowned experts in management practices, organizational behavior, finance, marketing, and more — and bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.

Our Community at a Glance

Join a network of talented peers who are committed to building innovative, creative, and diverse workplaces.

Averaging 12 years of work experience, our management students are established professionals looking to deepen their expertise, discover new tools and strategies, and expand their networks.

In the Management Master’s Degree Program, you’ll learn alongside career-driven leaders from around the world who bring diverse knowledge and points of view into class discussions and projects.

Download: Management Master's Degree Fact Sheet

  • 35

    Average Age

  • 1-2

    Course Taken Each Semester

  • 89%

    Work Full Time

  • 99%

    Would Recommend the Program

  • 76%

    Professional Experience in the Field

  • Most

    Pursued for Career Advancement

Graduates at Harvard Commencement

Careers & Alumni Outcomes

Our management graduates work in a range of industries, including banking, consumer goods, financial services, energy, nonprofit management, and management consulting. They have also gone on to pursue further studies at such schools as Columbia University, Georgetown University, and Harvard Kennedy School.

Roles held by recent graduates include: 

  • Account Director
  • Director of Asset Management
  • Brand Manager
  • Business Development Director
  • Senior R&D Manager
  • Director of Diversity and Inclusion
  • Senior Manager, Data and Analytics

Alumni work at a variety of organizations, including:

  • Accenture
  • Apple
  • Cisco
  • Ernst & Young
  • Fannie Mae
  • Intel
  • Pearson
  • World Economic Forum

Career Advising and Mentorship

Whatever your career goals, we’re here to support you. Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success offers career advising, employment opportunities, Harvard alumni mentor connections, and career fairs like the annual Business and Consulting Fair and Harvard Startup Career Fair.

Your Harvard University Degree

Upon successful completion of the required curriculum, you will receive a Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Management.

Expand Your Connections: the Harvard Alumni Network

As a graduate, you’ll become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).

Natalie Lozano.
The final projects in many of my classes easily converted into presentations to my company’s CEO about ways to advance our business strategy.
Natalie Lozano
Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in the field of Management, ’23; Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management

Cost and Financial Aid

Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.

Our Tuition (2023–24 rate) $3,220 per course
Average Tuition of Peer Institutions $4,330 per course
Average Total Cost $38,640

After admission, you may qualify for financial aid. Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.

Coffee Chat: All About Management Programs at HES

Are you interested in learning more about management graduate degree programs at Harvard Extension School? Attendees joined us for an informational webinar where they had the opportunity to connect with program directors, academic advisors, and current students.

Watch the Webinar

FAQs

What is the difference between a management master’s degree and an MBA?

These two master’s programs differ primarily in program length, price, cohort structure, and flexibility/accessibility. Our management master’s degree program offers many, if not all, of the same topics you would find in a traditional MBA program. However, we require fewer courses, a more flexible curriculum and schedule, as well as a much more affordable price tag.

To learn more about the difference from our program director, Laura Wilcox, read Master’s in Management vs. MBA?

How long does it take to complete the management graduate program?

Program length is ordinarily anywhere between 2 and 5 years. It depends on your preferred pace and the number of courses you want to take each semester.

For an accelerated journey, we offer year round study, where you can take courses in fall, January, spring, and summer.

While we don’t require you to register for a certain number of courses each semester, you cannot take longer than 5 years to complete the degree.

What skills do you need prior to applying for the management master’s degree program?

There are no prerequisite skills required for admission to the management program. Most of our students come to us with more than 5 years of professional experience, and 75% have professional experience in management. If you complete the courses for admissions successfully and meet additional eligibility requirements, you will be admitted.

What can you do with a master’s degree in management?

Earning a master’s degree in management can prepare you for a range of career opportunities across diverse industries. Some of the common career paths include management consultant, human resource manager, operations manager, financial analyst, and entrepreneur.