Professional MBA Curriculum

A new form of competition permeates today's business world, one that is based on the use of data analytics to support decision-making. In the MBA job market, it is important to have mastered the skills required to operate in this new data-intensive world. The analytics MBA concentration gives Tulane students the skills they need to transform large data sets into actionable knowledge. Courses include financial modeling, modeling and analytics, econometrics and forecasting, research and analytics, and advanced spreadsheet modeling.  Students will also learn R, the industry standard software for statistical computing and graphics that enables them to manipulate and display data. This course of study prepares graduates for careers as product developers, marketing analysts, pricing analysts, entrepreneurs and consultants among others

The energy industry is one of the world's largest, with ample opportunities for those with the right skills and experiences. Students learn about the business of energy with coursework encompassing finance, asset valuation and analysis, risk management and trading. A trading floor simulator gives students hands-on knowledge of what traders look for when making investment decisions. Graduates with this MBA concentration often choose careers at energy companies, specialist security firms, banks and investment firms, consulting companies and trading companies.  Access to the Tulane Energy Institute provides industry contacts and opportunities for professional development.

New Orleans’ long history of hospitality and Freeman’s strength in entrepreneurship come together to create a living, learning laboratory where students will develop distinctive, market-relevant and high-value skills in one of the world's fastest growing industries. This concentration will provide students an exceptional, immersive education in a hotbed of hospitality, preparing them to address the new emphasis on customer service in traditional hospitality industries and beyond.  Through courses in product design, entrepreneurship and strategic consulting, our faculty will provide a broad grounding in business principles from a variety of disciplines so you can face critical challenges in entrepreneurial and hospitality ventures

New Orleans, which has emerged as an entrepreneurial hub in recent years, provides a compelling backdrop to this course of study. Students pursuing the entrepreneurship concentration can focus on early-stage venture creation (founding a company), second-stage growth (working with early-stage companies) and venture finance. Courses provide practical, applicable knowledge about strategy, management and operations in fast-growing start-ups. Opportunities for independent study allow students to focus on a particular business segment or industry.  Many students tap into the resources of the Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to validate and launch their own startup.

Coursework in the finance concentration explores topics such as investments, valuation, fixed-income analytics, derivatives and risk management. Students complement their classroom knowledge with experiential learning, which may include conducting equity research and writing investment reports on actual companies (Burkenroad Reports), or participating in a student-managed mutual fund (Darwin Fenner). Graduates typically pursue careers in corporate finance, asset management, hedge fund investment, venture capital, private equity, private banking and financial consulting at banks and investment firms or in the finance departments of large corporations.

The real estate industry worldwide is experiencing exponential growth, which creates demand for graduates with a broad foundation in business disciplines as well as specialized knowledge in real estate.  A concentration or specialization in real estate will equip you with the tools for a career in real estate development, finance, analytics, management or consulting, with both the qualitative and quantitative skills needed to make informed business decisions.  The real estate elective courses provide students access to industry practitioners, exposure to the unique development opportunities in New Orleans and experience working on real projects. 

Students develop their leadership potential and understanding of processes in both large and small organizations. Coursework focuses on developing frameworks to make corporate decisions, implement technologies and innovations, manage talent and negotiate effectively. Case studies, experiential class activities and discussions with industry professionals provide a necessary foundation for tomorrow's business leaders. This concentration is especially helpful for students who plan careers in general management, management consulting and entrepreneurship.