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Round out your business perspective and improve effectiveness

Mini MBA

Gain a solid foundation in business and leadership strategy while learning skills and terminology you can put to work right away. Practice with a business simulation.

In the St. Thomas Mini MBA, you’ll learn how to be a more effective leader and make more informed, strategic business decisions. Prepare to tackle common challenges at work, including how to:

  • Approach challenges with an entrepreneurial mindset
  • Create strategic plans with all aspects of the business in mind
  • Make sound, ethical business decisions
  • Lead effectively and motivate while managing
  • Understand managerial responsibilities as they relate to the entire business enterprise

With the addition of online electives that allow you to customize your learning in various areas of business and a business simulation connected to each learning module in the program, you’ll leave the program ready to apply this information immediately.

Small class sizes foster a collaborative learning environment and help you build your network of other business leaders. Sessions are held on our downtown Minneapolis campus and parking is available within one block. There are no prerequisites for this program.

Contact

Abbey Welle

Program Manager
Email
abbey.welle@stthomas.edu
Phone Number
(651) 962-4616
A student writes on a paper while holding a book during an Executive MBA Class.

Is This Program Right For You?

Our Mini MBA Program is ideal for professionals wanting to change or advance their careers, or gain a better understanding of each area in the business ecosystem. This program is a great way to sample an MBA program at St. Thomas.

Common program participant job titles include:

  • Operations Manager
  • Office Manager
  • General Manager
  • Sales Manager
  • Marketing Director
  • Marketing Manager
  • Brand Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Customer Service Manager
  • IT Manager
  • Business Consultant
  • Business Analyst
  • Management Analyst
  • Program Analyst
  • Engineering Manager

Benefits of This Program

Gain a Well-rounded Perspective.

This program is taught by industry professionals with real-world experience. We balance classroom theory with actual applications, to give you the most holistic education.

Gain Real-world Skills you Can Use on Monday Morning.

Our goal is for you to leave every session with tools you can use at work right away, to influence and strengthen your team.

Practice your New Skills in Class.

Compete with other teams in a business simulation, making decisions and analyzing their real-world effects on a company. Sharpen your new skills in this simulation, so you’re better prepared to apply them in your workplace.

Become More Versatile and Resilient.

Whether you own a business or work for one, the knowledge and tools you gain here will prepare you to handle any business challenge.

Build a New Network of Professional Peers.

Turn to these professionals for support and advice long after the program ends.

Customize Your Experience.

With a choice in online electives, you can customize your experience to best fit your background and future goals.

Curriculum

Be able to build a competitive advantage over other businesses with in-depth strategies. Analyze value sources in products and services and learn how to turn strategic plans into action.

All leaders have different strengths. It’s important to identify yours. Once you understand your own leadership style, you are better able to lead others. This module will show you how to create a positive culture and work environment by being a strong and influential leader.

For a business to be successful and sustainable, it needs to be profitable and maximize shareholder value. Learn how to conduct basic analyses to make informed decisions. Understand ethical dilemmas and how to handle those tough situations.

Learn how to create and capture value in your firm’s market. Experience market dynamics. Learn what it takes to keep a business running effectively by finding the right balance between the marginal costs of a decision and its marginal costs.

Being able to protect yourself and your organization is a valuable skill. You’ll learn how to make business decisions in a way that aligns with organizational goals with an understanding of potential legal risk and ethical considerations.

Gain an understanding of core marketing concepts and frameworks and be able to implement them. Discover your market segments and understand consumer behavior to best market to your audience in an effective and efficient way.

Improve your processes from both operational and organizational standpoints to ensure the best results. Understand how to approach change management from an empathetic viewpoint and set an example for the change you want to see.

Entrepreneurial thinking helps businesses large or small create innovative solutions. Break free from internal politics, structure and overall bureaucracy to solve problems with your customer in mind and see the benefit to the bottom line.

Make sure your hiring strategy aligns with your organization competencies. Understand what it takes to have a successful Human Resources department and how it should align with both customer and employee strategy. Learn about new tools and technology that are available to help keep and retain top talent.

Put everything together and present on what you have learned to the class.

Choosing online elective courses will customize your learning. Each of these topics includes 30-45 minutes worth of online content. You can complete as many as you would like but must complete a minimum of three before your program is over. A sample of electives include:

  • Agile Project Management
  • Polarities: Managing Interdependent Opposites
  • Appreciative Inquiry
  • Decision-Making
  • Strategies for Effective Negotiation
  • Salary Negotiation
  • Digital Marketing
  • Overview of Health Care
A view of Terrence Murphy Hall in downtown Minneapolis.

From Mini MBA to Graduate School

The Mini MBA program inspired Janet to further her education in the Health Care MBA program at St. Thomas.
From Mini MBA to Graduate School

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Take the Next Step

St. Thomas Executive Education programs give you cutting-edge, practical knowledge and real-world skills you can apply at work the very next day. Gain the tools and techniques to be a more effective, strategic leader.
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