Master in Business Administration (MBA)

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business is a two-year, full-time program designed to develop well-rounded business leaders who can make thoughtful decisions, solve complex business challenges, and create a positive impact on organizations and society. Students build a strong foundation in business management while choosing from four majors: Finance, Strategy, Marketing, and Analytics & AI. They can also complement their studies with specialized minors, hands-on projects, and opportunities to connect with leading employers.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Business Foundations and Leadership Development

During the first year, students build essential business knowledge through courses such as Financial Accounting I, Financial Accounting II, Marketing Management, Managerial Economics, and Intro to Business Analytics. They also study Leading People and Teams, Strategic Decision Making, Fundamentals of AI, and Foundations of Ethical Business Conduct, developing the financial, analytical, communication, and leadership skills needed to understand how organizations operate. Experiential learning opportunities, including Grow Irish Week and consulting projects, help students apply classroom concepts to real business situations.

Year 2: Specialization and Real-World Business Experience

In the second year, students focus on their chosen major and select electives that match their career interests. Finance students can explore Capital Allocation, Financial Policy, and Investments, while Strategy students can study Entrepreneurship, International Management, and Negotiation. Those interested in Marketing can take Brand Strategy, Marketing Analytics, and Digital Customer Experience, while students specializing in Analytics & AI can study Data Management in SQL, Predictive Analytics, and Applied Artificial Intelligence. Students also benefit from company engagements, practical projects, and career development activities that help them prepare for leadership roles after graduation.

Note: The Notre Dame MBA is a two-year, 61-credit program organized into four semesters, with an internship opportunity during the summer between the first and second years. Course selection and sequencing may vary according to the chosen major and electives.

Focus Areas

Finance, corporate strategy, marketing management, business analytics, artificial intelligence, leadership development, financial accounting, managerial economics, ethical business conduct, entrepreneurship, international management, operations and supply chain management, innovation, digital marketing, and data-driven decision-making. Students can customize their studies by combining one of four MBA majors with specialized minors that align with their professional goals.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to analyze business problems, evaluate financial and market information, make strategic decisions, and lead teams effectively. They also strengthen their communication, analytical thinking, ethical judgment, and problem-solving skills through core courses and practical projects. By combining their chosen major with experiential learning and career development, students learn to apply business concepts to real organizational challenges and prepare for management and leadership positions across industries.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Notre Dame MBA emphasizes ethical leadership, analytical decision-making, and practical business experience. Students can choose STEM-designated majors in Finance or Analytics & AI, making these pathways particularly relevant for those interested in quantitatively focused business careers. The program also incorporates leadership development, business ethics, and experiential projects to help students build skills valued by employers. The STEM designation applies to the specified majors, not automatically to every MBA pathway.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business reported that graduates of the MBA Class of 2025 received a median base salary of $136,000, with a mean base salary of $139,148. The employment report also recorded that 72.2% of graduates received job offers within three months of graduation and 71.1% had accepted positions within that period. These results demonstrate the career opportunities available to graduates, although individual outcomes vary by industry, experience, and role.

Graduates have secured positions with organizations such as Amazon, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, Google, JPMorgan Chase, McKinsey & Company, Microsoft, and Procter & Gamble. Students can also access personalized career coaching, employer networking opportunities, and the university's alumni network, which the Financial Times ranked fourth globally in 2024. Together, these resources support students seeking careers in consulting, finance, technology, marketing, and general management.