MS in Technology Management

A business education with a focus on innovation

The one-year, STEM-designated Master of Science in Technology Management (MSTM) degree from Gies College of Business prepares you for a future in areas like supply chain, marketing, consulting, or data analytics. This is a general management degree with a focus on innovation—it is not a technical degree.

This program is tailored to two groups of students: those who have a few years of professional experience, and those who recently finished their undergraduate education. As such, the MSTM is for those who want to distinguish and challenge themselves.

Our innovative curriculum is designed with a dual purpose: to elevate the strategic insight and management expertise of scientists and engineers and to amplify business leaders’ analytical decision-making skills.

Applications for Fall 2023 are now open.

A distinguished degree for managerial success

Our innovative curriculum is focused on developing both essential business management and analytical expertise, with the role of technology as its common theme. Whether you are an engineer seeking to develop sharper business insight or a business person pursuing precise methodological skills, this master's program will strengthen your effectiveness as a leader in any organization.

This program will also help you obtain a firm understanding of technology strategy and its role in shaping the future of an organization. As an MSTM student, you will strengthen your insight into the importance of successful product or service development and learn to use that keen intuition in today’s world of short product life cycles, increased competition, and rapidly changing consumer preferences.

STEM-designated by design

The MSTM degree is STEM-designated, which may allow international students to remain in the US for up to 36 months on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM extension. Our commitment to a strong curriculum in technology and risk analysis, along with available concentrations in data analytics and IT control secured this important designation.

Frontiers in Technology series provides in-depth knowledge

When you are part of the MSTM program at Gies, you benefit from a strong curriculum, an expert team of faculty and career services professionals, and something truly unique—our Frontiers in Technology series. Through a variety of activities, you gain insights into the field of technology management and where it’s headed.

Activities include seminars on a broad range of topics, from strategy to team building to communication. Professional development opportunities are also part of the series, as are corporate visits, which give you firsthand insight into how the topics you are learning in the classroom are applied in the corporate world.

In addition, you’ll hear from prominent university researchers who work on the cutting edge of technology. Our Frontiers in Technology series gives you opportunities to engage with corporate and research leaders about ideas and technologies that will impact the future.

“With a mechanical engineering undergraduate degree and no full-time work experience, I came into the program with very little business knowledge. The program, professors, and students helped me develop strong business skills to prepare me for a career in consulting at EY.” -Rohan Thapar, MSTM '18

“After working as an engineer in the manufacturing sector, learning the business side of technology was a logical step to move up in my career. Having access to Illinois’ top engineering school and robust startup space made the MSTM program a great fit for me.” - Abhilasha Gulhane, MSTM '20

Not sure which program will best suit your background or career aspirations? Take our 30-second quiz to find out.

Over the past two years, MSTM graduates have joined major corporations such as EY, Caterpillar, KPMG, PwC, and General Motors. They are now management trainees, analysts, and advisors. The MSTM at Gies Business prepares you with the knowledge base and leadership skills needed to succeed in careers like these.

Realize an immediate return on investment

MSTM graduates can realize an immediate return on investment. Our recent graduates enjoy strong job outcomes and compensation packages because employers continue to seek candidates with both a STEM and business education.

Over the past three years, MSTM graduates have joined major corporations such as Accenture, Amazon, Deloitte, EY, Google, KPMG, and PwC. They are working in roles like analysts, consultants, product managers, and project managers, just to name a few. The MSTM at Gies Business prepares you with the knowledge base and leadership skills needed to succeed in careers like these.

The reputation of our College and our graduates bring hundreds of recruiters from the world’s top companies to campus each semester. The Gies Business Career Services team sponsors recruiting fairs each fall and spring semester, which provides opportunities for students to interview with companies for full-time and internship positions.

In addition, you have additional opportunities to participate in recruiting fairs across campus, including two in The Grainger College of Engineering; one in the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences; one in the Research Park; and two all-campus recruiting fairs. As a Gies student, you can take advantage of a full array of resources and the experience of our Gies Business Career Services professionals to prepare you for these recruiting opportunities.

Customizable curriculum focused on your success

The MS in Technology Management program is designed to maximize your preparation for managing technological change in any marketplace, and it offers you a competitive advantage. The rigorous, 40-hour business-focused curriculum provides a wonderful foundation to help you formulate effective, multipronged strategies that will ensure strong and sustainable growth for your organization.

MSTM’s coursework can be divided into three categories: core business courses that build a solid business foundation, technology management courses, and professional development activities.

Concentrations offered within the MSTM program provide opportunities for your interests to develop. Choose from options like IT and control, supply chain management, and business data analytics. Minors in corporate governance and international business are also available, but require an additional semester to complete.

Core Business Courses

The core foundation courses are similar to those underpinning any top business graduate program. These include fundamental courses, as well as courses in functional areas of business administration including:

• Leadership and Teams
• Process Management
• Marketing Management
• Introduction to Finance
• Accounting Measurement, Reporting, and Control

Technology Management Courses

These courses represent your first step toward mastering an environment where innovation, the introduction of new products, and managing intellectual property are the basis for success. This combination simply cannot be found in traditional graduate business programs. Courses include:

• Technology Strategy
• Project Management
• Supply Chain Management

Gain hands-on experience

Hands-on learning experiences abound in this program. In addition to numerous extra-curricular opportunities to gain valuable skills, a practicum is built into the curriculum to allow students to apply the things they have learned in class to a real business problem. Students are also able to do a summer internship instead of the practicum project if they are able to secure one.

Caters to where you are in your career

This program offers two cohorts based on where you are in your career. There is a Graduate Cohort for recent graduates with less than two years of work experience and a Professional Cohort for more experienced candidates with two or more years of work experience. Coursework is the same but the cohort approach allows for students to be in class with people who are at similar stages in their careers to provide richer engagement and interaction experiences for students.

STEM-designated by design

The MSTM degree is STEM-designated, which may allow international students to remain in the US for up to 36 months on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM extension. Our commitment to a strong curriculum in technology and risk analysis, along with available concentrations in data analytics and IT control secured this important designation.