Ross MBA curriculum has a strong emphasis on experiential learning with Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP), specializations (focused program), experiential learning around Product Development, Consulting, Investing, Leadership, and Social IMPACT, exchange programs, and Global Opportunities through U-M Centers & Institutes.
In the second part of Ross MBA Analysis, we cover how the school has designed the curriculum. The first part of Ross MBA analysis covered cost and funding tips.
Format: The Ross MBA follows a structured two-year format that blends core coursework with applied learning and elective flexibility. The first year focuses on building foundational knowledge across key business functions, while the second year allows students to customize their academic path based on career goals.
In this Ross MBA Curriculum Analysis, we cover:
- Year 1: Core Curriculum and Action-Based Learning
- Year 2: Electives and Specializations
- Ross MBA Experiential Learning Opportunities
- Global Learning Opportunities
- Key Learning Opportunities through Fellowship
- Global Opportunities through U-M Centers & Institutes
- Dual Degrees at Ross
Year 1: Core Curriculum and Action-Based Learning
Core Courses – 7 Building blocks
The core courses are designed with 7 building blocks around Accounting, Microeconomics, Statistics, Marketing, Strategy, Operations, and Organizational Behaviour – necessary to develop the foundational analytical and managerial skills in an industry-agnostic manner.
The first year is divided into four compressed terms - Fall A, Fall B, Winter A, and Winter B.
Students complete a sequenced core curriculum covering the 7 building blocks.
Consulting Experience in the First Year with MAP
In the second half of the year, students participate in the Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP), a full-time, seven-week consulting engagement with real-world clients.
MAP serves as the program’s primary experiential component, allowing students to apply classroom learning in practical business settings across various sectors and geographies.
Year 2: Electives and Specializations
Fully Customizable Second Year
With most core requirements completed, students select from over 100 electives to deepen expertise or broaden their skillset. The second year is fully customizable with electives covering Finance, Marketing, Strategy, Operations, and Technology, as well as interdisciplinary topics like Business Law, Communication, and Entrepreneurship.
Formal Specialization and Certificate
Ross also offers formal specializations and certificate options in the second year.
Students can pursue focused paths in areas such as Data and Business Analytics, Healthcare Management, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), Design Thinking and Innovation, and Management Science (STEM-designated).
In total, there are more than five formal specializations and over 50 certificate options available across the University of Michigan.
The program requires 57 credits for graduation, with at least 25 credits allocated to electives.
Students may take up to 10 credits outside Ross to take advantage of the broader university ecosystem.
| Year 1 | |||
| FALL A | FALL B | WINTER A | WINTER B |
| Financial Accounting | Financial Management | Management Accounting | Multidisciplinary Action Projects |
| Applied Microeconomics | Marketing Management | Operations Management | |
| Applied Business Statistics | Leading People and Organizations | Elective Course or Degree Requirements | |
| Corporate Strategy | Elective Course or Degree Requirement | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| FALL A | FALL B | WINTER A | WINTER B |
| Elective Course or Degree Requirement | Elective Course or Degree Requirement | Elective Course or Degree Requirement | Elective Course or Degree Requirement |
Ross MBA Experiential Learning Opportunities
Experiential learning is central part to the Ross MBA experience.
Consulting, Investments, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership
Rather than limiting learning to the classroom, Ross provides a structured set of programs that allow students to work directly with companies, manage real investments, launch ventures, and lead business projects during the program.
Students interested in entrepreneurship can access funding, mentorship, and hands-on venture building through the REAL START pathway.
Those targeting consulting roles can work on client engagements across sectors and geographies through the MAP project and related advisory experiences under REAL ADVISE.
Finance-oriented students manage actual funds under faculty supervision through the REAL INVEST platform.
REAL LEAD gives students a chance to step into leadership roles by running business units and guiding cross-functional teams.
Interdisciplinary Course through IMPACT Studio
In addition to these core programs, students can take part in interdisciplinary courses like the +Impact Studio, which focuses on solving real-world social and policy challenges, or design their own learning experience during the summer, through internships and field projects in the U.S. or abroad.
| Experiential Option | Relevant Industry / Function | Key Offerings |
| REAL START | Entrepreneurship, Startups, Tech, Healthcare, Sustainability | Students launch and scale ventures through product development, pitch competitions, and accelerators. Support includes IPD course, Zell Entrepreneurs, Dare to Dream grants, Michigan Business Challenge, and access to Desai and Pinkert accelerators. |
| REAL ADVISE | Consulting, Strategy, International Development, Social Impact | Includes MAP (core consulting project), Action Learning Projects, and global programs. Partners range from AT Kearney to NGOs. Supplemented by co-curriculars like Open Road and case competitions. |
| REAL INVEST | Investment Management, Venture Capital, Finance, Real Estate | Students manage real funds across public equities, VC, tech transfer, social impact, and real estate. Supported by faculty, industry mentors, and finance-focused electives. |
| REAL LEAD | General Management, Operations, Leadership Development | Through Living Business projects, students lead real business functions. Supported by Tauber Team Projects, +LAB, and student organization leadership roles. |
| +Impact Studio Course | Social Innovation, Public Policy, Nonprofit, Design | Interdisciplinary course using design methods to solve social challenges. Students collaborate across schools to develop scalable business solutions with real stakeholders. |
| Summer Business Experiences | All Sectors (Corporate, Nonprofit, Startups, Global Development) | Summer internships and field experiences across industries. Options include Desai Accelerator, Zell Lurie Institute, Tauber Projects, Global Impact Internship Program, and Erb Corps. Typically 6–12 weeks, open format. |
Global Learning Opportunities
Ross offers a wide range of international experiences that go beyond study tours or exchange programs.
The goal behind global learning opportunities is to build a practical understanding of global business by exposing students to different economic systems, industries, and cultural settings. These experiences help students develop the global awareness and skills that are increasingly necessary in today’s business landscape.
Short-Term Global Courses
Students can choose from short-term global courses, typically 1–3 weeks long, that take place during academic breaks and focus on specific industries or regional business challenges. These programs combine classroom learning with real-world engagement, including visits to local companies and government institutions. Each program also counts toward elective credit.
Some of the recent short-term global experiences included:
• Studying the Role of Marketing in addressing Climate Change, Inequality and Mental health in partnership with WU Vienna
• Decoding the Quality of Life improvement in Finland addressed through exploring business, technology, and sustainability in partnership with Aalto University
• Comparative Health Care Systems in France
• Creating the New in an International Context in Sweden at Stockholm of Economics in Stockholm
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Israel at Tel Aviv University Coller School of Management
• Special Topics at the European MBA Summer Institute in Germany at WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management
• Quality as a Strategy in Italian Manufacturing
Deeper Immersion Courses – Exchange Program
For those who want deeper immersion, Ross offers a semester-long exchange program with leading business schools in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Australia. These exchanges allow students to take regular courses alongside local students, manage logistics independently, and build lasting international networks.
India, China and Sustainability Focus
Ross also provides global learning through university-affiliated centers and institutes. These include the Erb Institute for sustainability projects, the William Davidson Institute for emerging markets, and focused initiatives in India and China. Whether it’s working on a consulting assignment in sub-Saharan Africa or exploring innovation models in India, students gain exposure to real-world global business dynamics across industries.
| Program/Option | Relevant Industries / Functional Areas | Program Offering / Format |
| Short-Term Global Experiences | Consulting, Strategy, Healthcare, Entrepreneurship | 1–3 week international intensives; includes company visits, academic lectures, projects; 3 elective credits |
| Global Semester Exchange | Global Strategy, Finance, Operations, General Management | Full-term exchange at partner schools across Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin America; full course integration |
| Erb Institute IMPACT Projects | Sustainability, Strategy, Social Impact | Student- or partner-led consulting projects on environmental and sustainability topics; often funded |
| C.K. Prahalad Initiative | Innovation, Strategy, Emerging Markets | Research and collaboration with innovation-driven firms in India and other regions |
| India Initiative | Emerging Markets, Development Consulting, Social Impact | Research, case competitions, and company collaborations focused on the Indian business environment |
| China Initiative | Cross-Border Investment, Strategy, Supply Chain | Student projects and research with Chinese business and university partners |
| Tauber Institute for Global Operations | Operations, Engineering, Tech | Corporate-sponsored team projects on process improvement and supply chain strategy |
| William Davidson Institute (WDI) | Emerging Markets, Healthcare, Finance, Public Sector | International internships and consulting projects in LMICs (Africa, Asia, Latin America) |
| Global Impact Internship Program (via WDI) | Social Impact, Public Policy, Healthcare | Structured summer internships with nonprofits, international agencies, or local organizations abroad |
Key Learning Opportunities through Fellowship
Ross C.K. Prahalad Fellowship: Students receive funds to participate in a global experience while designing an educational project related to C.K. Prahalad's perspective on the junction of business and social value creation. This fellowship permits students to travel to emerging markets.
Ross China Fellowship: This fellowship provides an opportunity to work on an educational initiative focusing on broad business subjects in China. The Ross China Fellowship is designed to assist any Ross degree-seeking student in completing a self-conceived project centered on the Chinese market.
Global Opportunities through U-M Centers & Institutes
C.K. Prahalad Initiative: The C.K. Prahalad Initiative invites business partners from a wide range of regions and industries to collaborate with the Ross School in identifying firms where interesting innovation is taking place. Michigan Ross has a strategic connection with India's leading industry association, the Confederation of Indian Industry. Despite its initial concentration on India, the C.K. Prahalad Initiative works with partners all around the world, including organizations large and small in the United States and internationally whose culture and tactics coincide with the initiative's objective.
India Initiative: India Initiatives at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, founded in 2011, provides cutting-edge ideas, pioneering research, and innovative business solutions to Indian enterprises with a focus on balancing profits and social value creation.
China Initiative: Michigan Ross China Initiatives, established in 2015, enables transformative student experiences, encourages groundbreaking academic research, and promotes successful connections with premier Chinese research institutions, enterprises, and alumni.
Tauber Institute for Global Operations: Michigan Ross China Initiatives, established in 2015, enables transformative student experiences, encourages groundbreaking academic research, and promotes successful connections with premier Chinese research institutions, enterprises, and alumni.
William Davidson Institute: The William Davidson Institute has supported and strengthened the University of Michigan students' global emerging market experiences. Students contribute their expertise and enthusiasm to tackling the difficulties of firms and organizations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through different programs, courses, and projects.
Dual Degrees at Ross
Ross offers a wide selection of dual-degree programs for MBA students who want to build expertise across disciplines.
With over 20 formal options and the possibility to create custom combinations, students can integrate their business education with areas like policy, sustainability, public health, law, and engineering.
Most programs are completed over three years, with time split between Ross and the partner school.
Popular dual-degree options include:
• MBA/MS (Environment & Sustainability) – through the Erb Institute
• MBA/MD (Medicine)
• MBA/MPH (Public Health)
• MBA/MPP (Public Policy)
• MBA/JD (Law)
Related Service: See if Ross MBA is the right program for you with F1GMAT's Career Planning Service
Related Download: Ross MBA Essay Guide
Reference: Ross MBA
