Full-Time MBA
Full-Time MBA
Why Earn a Full-Time MBA at the Smith School?
Develop the Leadership to Navigate Change
Smith’s Full-Time MBA prepares you to accelerate your career, lead with confidence, and make data-informed decisions in a world shaped by AI, uncertainty, and rapid change.
You will bring human ingenuity, adaptability, communication, and critical thinking into a program that uses AI to strengthen analysis, strategy, and execution. At Smith, you will deepen your understanding of the business world and learn to turn insight into action.
You can choose an accelerated one-year path or a two-year path with an internship, depending on how quickly you want to move and how much experience you want to build.
Learn from faculty with deep expertise in marketing, information systems, finance, analytics and other areas while gaining experience through Execution Labs and case competitions. You will also gain access to Smith’s global alumni and employer networks to build relationships that support your career.
2-year option with internship
October 1
Why Smith?
- Develop foundational business knowledge through a comprehensive graduate curriculum.
- Apply what you learn through experiential consulting projects with organizations.
- Learn from faculty and Advisory Council members with experience across multiple industries.
- Collaborate with peers through team-based projects and applied learning experiences.
Who Is the Full-Time MBA For?
Tailored for Professionals Ready to Accelerate or Pivot
The Full-Time MBA is designed for early- and mid-career professionals who want to strengthen their business judgment, expand their career options, gain leadership skills and move with more confidence. Whether you want to advance faster in your current field or explore a new direction, this degree gives you the tools to do both. If you want to build business fluency, sharpen your decision-making and expand your career path, this degree is designed to help you do exactly that.
Ideal candidates include:
- Working professionals who want to accelerate in their current field.
- Early-career professionals seeking a career pivot in industry or function.
- Candidates who want an internship option to build experience before graduation.
- Students who want a deeper MBA experience with strong peer learning and alumni access.
- Professionals looking for a strong return on investment, practical experience and a broader network.
One Degree. Two Pathways.
Choose the Full-Time MBA experience that best aligns with your career goals.
One-Year Accelerated MBA Option
Ideal for experienced professionals with a clear career direction who want to accelerate their advancement while minimizing time away from the workforce. This path is for applicants who are already in the U.S. and do not need visa sponsorship.
Two-Year Traditional MBA Option with Internship
Ideal for professionals seeking to pivot careers, explore new industries or functions, and maximize internship and networking opportunities before their next role.
What Will You Learn in the Full-Time MBA Program?
Learn to Lead Through Change
You will build a strong foundation in leadership, finance, marketing, operations and analytics. The curriculum helps you understand how core business functions work together so you can make informed decisions and create value.
You will also learn to use AI tools and data to improve strategy, strengthen execution and solve real business problems. Through core courses, electives and Execution Labs, you will be prepared to lead effectively in complex environments.
With a Full-Time MBA, you will be able to:
- Apply AI and analytics tools to business challenges.
- Make data-informed business decisions.
- Develop and test strategy through real-world projects.
- Lead teams and collaborate across functions.
- Strengthen communication and data storytelling.
- Manage change, risk and complexity.
- Use ethical judgment and human-centered thinking.
- Create value through finance, marketing and operations.
Explore focus areas in:
- Finance
- Information Systems & AI
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
Technology Management Certificate
The Graduate Certificate in Technology Management is available to Full-Time MBA students and prepares future business leaders to evaluate, implement and manage emerging technologies. Through interdisciplinary coursework and consulting projects, you'll learn to develop strategies that drive business growth.
How Is AI Integrated Throughout the Curriculum?
Build Smarter Business Strategies With AI
AI is integrated throughout the Full-Time MBA program. You will use AI and LLM tools, data analytics platforms, machine learning methods, financial modeling tools, and business intelligence tools across coursework and projects.
The goal is to use AI to improve decision-making while keeping human judgment at the center. You will learn how technology can sharpen your analysis, but also why communication, leadership, creativity and ethical judgment still matter in every major business decision.
Apply What You Learn
You will apply classroom learning through Execution Labs, consulting-style projects, prototypes, campaigns and strategic analyses. You will also have opportunities to compete in case competitions, work with the Center for Global Business and the Center for Social Value Creation and engage with the Mayer Fund. Smith’s Advisory Councils adds another layer of value by mentoring students, sharing industry insight and helping you build connections that can support your career.
Career Outcomes
Build Leadership Skills That Employers Value
The Full-Time MBA positions you to lead in roles that demand strategic thinking, data-informed decision-making and the ability to work across teams and functions.
Recent graduates from Smith who completed the Full-Time MBA reported a median annual salary of $125K and a $39K average signing bonus. Nearly 4 in 5 graduates accepted employment within three months of graduation.
Career Paths
- Business Development
- Business Intelligence
- Business Strategy
- Consulting
- Finance
- General Management
- Marketing
- Operations
- Product Management
Career Value
- Broad Business Knowledge
- Data-Informed Decision-Making Skills
- Leadership and Teamwork Experience
- Strategic Thinking
- Consulting Experience through Applied Projects
- Communication and Collaboration Skills
I have taken three electives within the AI space. All of them have been helpful in the sense that it is applicable to every industry. It slowly takes away most of the menial work and we have more time to put towards higher-leverage activities.
Rohan Kanade
Full-Time MBA Graduate
Learn From Faculty Shaping the Future
Faculty Supporting Your Career Growth
You will learn from faculty who bring current research, real-world relevance and deep expertise in AI and business practice into the classroom. Their guidance helps you connect business theory to practical decisions you can use right away.
Rosellina Ferraro is the academic director of the program.
Balaji Padmanabhan
AI, Business Analytics and Strategy Expert
AI and machine learning
Business analytics
AI ethics and decision-making
Cristian Dezső
Leadership and Organizational Strategy Expert
Leadership
Organizational strategy
Space innovation
Jui Ramaprasad
Digital Platforms and Strategic IT Expert
Strategic IT
Online platforms and user participation
Digital engagement and social influence
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A Full-Time MBA is worth it if you want to build the leadership, analytical and AI-informed decision-making skills that can help you move into higher-impact roles and create stronger career momentum.
The degree combines foundational business education with collaborative learning, industry engagement and hands-on consulting projects. Students also learn from faculty and Advisory Council members representing a variety of industries.
No. The Full-Time MBA is designed for candidates from a wide range of academic backgrounds. Candidates should have professional experience and be ready to strengthen their communication, teamwork, analytical thinking and leadership skills.
Have More Questions?
The Smith School's Graduate Admissions Office is here to help. Whether you have questions about the curriculum, admissions requirements, application process or student experience, our team can help you determine if the Full-Time MBA is the right fit for your goals.
Contact Graduate Admissions
2303 Van Munching Hall
College Park, Maryland 20742-1815
Phone: 301-405-2559
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Email: smithmasters@umd.edu
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