University of Michigan

What you'll study

The Management and Operations pathway builds on a core business curriculum and adds targeted courses in operations, supply chain management, process improvement, and quantitative decision tools. The programme emphasises analytical skills, team-based project work, and real-world application through case studies and experiential labs.

• Core business foundations: accounting, finance, marketing, organisational behaviour, strategy, and business law to establish a broad business perspective.
• Operations and supply chain: operations management, supply chain strategy, logistics, inventory management, and service operations covering design and control of production and delivery systems.
• Quantitative and analytical methods: statistics for business, optimisation, forecasting, data analytics, and simulation techniques used to support operational decisions.
• Information systems and technology: courses on enterprise systems, operations technology, and the role of digital platforms in operations and supply chains.
• Process improvement and quality: lean operations, Six Sigma principles, continuous improvement methodologies and process mapping.
• Experiential learning: team-based projects with industry partners, operations labs, case competitions, and capstone projects that integrate functional knowledge and practical problem-solving.
• Electives and special topics: options in procurement, sustainability in supply chains, global operations, service operations, and advanced analytics to tailor the degree to career goals.
• Structure: students typically complete university general education requirements alongside Ross School of Business core courses before specialising in Management and Operations in upper-level semesters. The programme encourages internships and extracurricular engagement through student clubs and industry treks.

Entry requirements

Admission to the Ross School of Business is competitive and normally requires a strong academic record from secondary education, demonstrated quantitative ability, and evidence of extracurricular engagement or leadership. Applicants are assessed holistically; competitive candidates usually present high grades in maths and related subjects, clear interest in business, and strong essays or personal statements.

• Academic criteria: high school diploma or equivalent with strong performance in mathematics and other academic subjects.
• Standardised tests: the university's approach to standardised testing may vary; consult official admissions guidance for current policy and recommendations.
• Supporting materials: personal statement or essays, letters of recommendation, and a record of extracurricular activities or work experience that demonstrate leadership and initiative.
• English language proficiency: for applicants whose first language is not English, proof of English proficiency is typically required through recognised tests or university-accepted alternatives.
• Transfer and internal admission: some students enter through internal transfer processes from other University of Michigan colleges; these routes usually require completion of prerequisite coursework and meeting minimum GPA thresholds.

Career prospects

Graduates with a BBA in Management and Operations are prepared for roles that require managing processes, resources and teams to deliver goods and services efficiently. Career paths span industry, consulting, technology and public sector organisations.

• Operations manager / operations analyst: roles overseeing production, service delivery, performance metrics and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Supply chain and logistics: positions in procurement, distribution, inventory planning and global supply chain coordination.
• Consulting: operational consulting, process optimisation and strategy implementation with management consulting firms or specialised boutiques.
• Product and programme management: coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver products and operational capabilities in technology and manufacturing firms.
• Data and analytics roles: business analytics, forecasting, and optimisation roles that apply quantitative methods to operational problems.
• Entrepreneurship and operations leadership: starting and scaling ventures with strong operational foundations or leading operations in start-ups and SMEs.

Why study at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan's Ross School of Business is known for integrating rigorous academic instruction with experiential learning and strong industry connections. Students benefit from access to faculty research in operations and supply chain, a broad alumni network, and centres and labs focused on practical problem solving.

• Experiential learning: hands-on labs, live client projects, internships and action-based learning courses that bridge theory and practice.
• Interdisciplinary opportunities: easy collaboration with engineering, information, public policy and social sciences on campus to pursue joint interests like technology-enabled operations and sustainability.
• Industry connections: strong recruiter presence, organised career services, and student organisations that facilitate internships and graduate employment across sectors.
• Research and faculty expertise: access to faculty who conduct applied research in operations, supply chain analytics, and process innovation, enriching coursework with current practices and insights.
• Global perspective: opportunities for international study, global projects and coursework addressing complex supply chain and operations challenges in multinational contexts.