Is Business Right for Me? Explore the MSM at Notre Dame

Academic Director Kris Muir addresses frequently asked questions from students from non-business backgrounds considering a future career in business. The M.S. in Management at Notre Dame is ranked as the 10th best post-graduation salary among global programs—but its value goes beyond financial returns. Students gain lifelong connections, build a strong professional network, and develop skills that shape their careers for years to come. Throughout the 11 months, students are encouraged to think critically about how ethics shape decision-making, preparing them to address real-world issues as transformational leaders.   

Q&A with Kris Muir

Q: How is the Notre Dame MSM program uniquely suited to help students from non-business backgrounds succeed in business? 

The reality is that every organization operates like a business, from the smallest nonprofit faith organization to the largest multinational corporation. We also know that employers are looking for interdisciplinary skills and experiences—they are looking for professionals that can work across domains and think creatively. Some of the best companies realize that universities are preparing professionals for jobs that don’t even exist yet. 

Our MSM program has a number of distinctive aspects. First and foremost, we bring a mindset of excellence in educating the whole person that is reflective of the Notre Dame mission. As a program, the MSM displays a depth of foundational business language as well as an incredible academic diversity with students from more than 50 different academic majors.

Q: How can this program help students find a career path in business?

Our MSM program consistently has a 90+% job acceptance rate within 6 months (93% in 2023). Within our curriculum, students take a variety of courses in all functional areas of business, so regardless of their career path, they can “speak the language of business.” We’ve also added concentrations in finance and marketing so that students can take a deeper dive into one of these two areas.       

Q: What experiential learning opportunities will there be in this program? 

There are two primary areas for experiential learning: Business Problem Solving and Grow Irish Week. 

In the Business Problem Solving (BPS) course, students use techniques and tools practiced by leading consulting firms to increase proficiency in how to identify problems, generate ideas, gather data, identify creative solutions, and then communicate these recommendations effectively. Cases will be provided by consulting firms, and teams will present back recommendations to a panel of representatives from the firm. 

Grow Irish Week takes place during two weeks of the MSM experience, one week in the fall and one week in the spring. Both of these weeks provide a hands-on experience with business applications, notably one week with a consulting project involving a local company and their unique problems.     

Q: How do I know if I am ready for the rigor of Notre Dame if I haven’t had work experience in business?

The MSM program is designed for non-business backgrounds with less than 2 years of work experience; there is a tremendous amount of faculty support, and your academically diverse cohort of 50+ majors from 30+ different institutions will support you along the way.         

Q: What sets Mendoza apart as a place to learn about business management? 

In our MSM program we design challenging situations for students to learn the ethical boundaries of their decisions. Students in our program have to make the same tough choices that they’ll be expected to make when they leave Mendoza. We want students to be mindful and intentional in every situation they encounter. And ultimately we want to develop transformational leaders. 

Our community of students recognize that unity is their strength. You may find a culture of competition at a lot of programs; but you won’t find that here. We put students in diverse learning teams that they leverage throughout the program. These support their academic needs, for sure, like how to write a financial statement when you’ve never taken an accounting class. But they’re also social support systems, and many times they result in lifelong friendships.     

Q: How will I be supported both professionally and personally in the program?

The Mendoza Graduate Career Development office is passionate about providing MSM students with career tools and strategies to help with not only landing your “dream” job after graduation, but to assist as you embark on career changes throughout your lifetime. During the summer, the “Bridge to Success” course will empower you to discover your career path and provide the strategy and tools to make it a reality. As a student, you will have access to your own personal career coach that will provide guidance and support over the course of your time at Notre Dame. 

Notre Dame is blessed with one of the largest and most active alumni communities in the world. With over 260 local alumni clubs in 42 countries, you will never be far from a group of people who share the same passion for Notre Dame and commitment to its mission of being a force for good in our world. The resources and opportunities available to connect with alumni are unrivaled and can enhance your career, personal life, and faith for the rest of your lifetime.