Kenan-Flagler to introduce Master of Science in Management program

Beginning in August 2025, UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School will begin offering a Master of Science in Management program. 

Courtney Knoll, associate dean for the Business Schools' Master of Accounting and the MSM programs, said the degree will offer students an introduction to foundational business education. 

Over a period of 10 months, Knoll said enrolled students will pursue dedicated tracks in either finance or marketing, along with undergoing experiential learning opportunities in their second semester. They will complete a total of 30 credit hours in the full-time, on-campus program. 

Knoll said the application for the new program will officially open in the upcoming weeks. All bachelor’s degree holders can apply regardless of undergraduate major or prior job experience, with Knoll saying the new program was designed specifically with non-business majors in mind. 

All students in the program will take core courses with business foundations, such as accounting, finance, marketing, operations and analytics communication. In their second semester, after taking a consulting skills and frameworks course, Knoll said students will collaborate with other MSM students to work on solutions to real organizations’ problems.

“It's a real opportunity for students to take what they've learned in the classroom and apply it so that by the time they're finished with this degree and they start their first job, they now have something to build on, some actual experience with the real world,” Knoll said.

A distinct aspect of the MSM curriculum is the inclusion of the Student Teams Achieving Results experiential learning program. STAR, which Executive Director Karin Cochran said has been a cornerstone of Kenan-Flagler for 20 years, puts students in teams to tackle real-world business situations. 

While previously offered as an optional course for graduate and undergraduate business students, Cochran said STAR will now be a required component for MSM students in their second semester.

Personalized career guidance distinguishes the MSM apart from other programs, Knoll said. A specialized career services team works closely with the graduate students, providing structured programming and resources designed specifically for their benefit.

This support will go from graduation to beyond, aiming to help alumni navigate their career paths and get the most value out of their degree, Knoll said.

Cochran said the new MSM program aims to educate between 40 and 75 students in its first year.

Tanya Mangalam, a Master of Business Administration student from the Class of 2025, said she saw the appeal in the program for those seeking to develop a foundational understanding of business strategies. 

Mangalam said that while a student interested in the foundation of business concepts or advancement in a current career could be a great fit for an MSM, someone seeking a career in specific fields like consulting or investment banking might benefit more from going straight into an MBA program or pairing the two together. 

“It also kind of makes sense because going to school for a year, or going to school for two years is, I would say, a financially better decision, too. Because let's be honest, MBA programs are expensive,” she said. “With how the turnout rates for jobs after MBA programs has been in the past, say, two years, maybe it's better to go for the MSM.”

Knoll said anyone interested in learning more about the MSM program should visit its website. Through the site, she said users can connect with admissions, submit their name and email to get more information and make an appointment with a counselor.

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