Fast track your career with a Specialized Master’s from Texas McCombs. Designed for early-career professionals and career changers, these focused graduate programs build deep expertise in a specific business function — without the broad, generalist approach of a traditional MBA. Many can be completed in as little as 10 months and all are STEM-designated. Choose between the Master in Professional Accounting or a Master’s of Science degree in Business Analytics, Finance, Information Technology and Management, Marketing, or Technology Commercialization. You’ll learn from world-class faculty, gain hands-on industry experience, and graduate with the in-demand skills employers are actively seeking.
Why a specialized master’s?
- Get your degree faster. Most McCombs specialized master’s degrees take less than one year to complete.
- Unlock career opportunities. Our dedicated career support team helps you navigate the recruiting process with ease.
- Join a powerful alumni network. McCombs’ alumni network is 100,000 strong, and makes connections around the world.
Master's degrees
Discover which McCombs Specialized Master’s Degree is right for you and your goals. Most of our master’s degree programs take less than one year to complete, with a few options for working professionals that offer hybrid and part-time schedules.
Master in professional Accounting
Master the accounting and analytical tools that today’s employers want, and prepare for leadership in a fast-moving business world.
Length of time: 9 to 13 months
Format: On campus in Austin, Texas
STEM-designated: Yes
Career outcomes: Business Advisor, External Auditor, Financial Analyst, Forensic Accountant, Internal Auditor, Investment Banking Analyst, Tax Consultant, Wealth Management
Why it stands out: The No.1 ranked accounting master’s degree program in the U.S., and a 98% job placement rate for graduates. (U.S. News & World Report).
MS in Business Analytics
Learn to collaborate with AI to inform strategy, connect insights across workflows, and turn analytical results into impactful business decisions.
Length of time: 10 or 23 months
Format: Full-time, on campus in Austin, Texas or part-time, online/hybrid
STEM-designated: Yes
Career outcomes: Analytics Consultant, Business Analyst, Data Scientist, Digital Marketing Analyst, Product Manager, Supply Chain Analyst
Why it stands out: The No.1 ranked master’s program in big data management with specialized training in human-AI collaboration (Eduniversal).
MS in Finance
Prepare for a career in finance by applying quantitative skills to global markets, financial strategy, and data-driven decision-making.
Time to complete: 10 months
Format: On campus in Austin, Texas
STEM-designated: Yes
Career outcomes: Acquisitions Analyst, Financial Analyst, Investment Banking Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Real Estate Analyst
Why it stands out: Designed as a first degree in finance, the MSF develops finance leaders of the future, who can participate in complex decision making and strategy formulation.
MS in Information Technology and Management
Lead the AI revolution and accelerate your technical career by learning to build AI-driven business solutions.
Time to complete: 10 months
Format: On campus in Austin, Texas
STEM-designated: Yes
Career outcomes: AI Forward Deployed Engineer, AI/ Machine Learning Engineer, Technical Product Manager, Business Analyst, Technology Consultant
Why it stands out: It combines hands-on AI and cloud engineering with applied business strategy needed for today’s digital economy. The MSITM class of 2025 had an average starting salary of over $110,000 after graduation.
MS in Marketing
Combining marketing fundamentals with advanced analytics, you’ll learn to interpret data, influence strategy, and design impactful marketing solutions across industries.
Time to complete: 10 months
Format: On campus in Austin, Texas
STEM-designated: Yes
Career outcomes: Category Analyst, Digital Strategist, Insights and Analytics Associate, Marketing Analyst, Pricing Analyst, Product Marketing Manager
Why it stands out: Designed for the next generation of data-savvy marketer, the MSM program consistently ranks among top marketing master’s programs, with 94% of the Class of 2025 receiving job offers within six months of graduation.
MS in Technology Commercialization
Designed for those eager to launch new products and businesses or innovate within technology-driven fields. Gain a competitive edge with a curriculum focused on the early stages of product and startup development.
Time to complete: One year
Format: Classes are held online every other weekend, with three in-person intensives (two in Austin, and one international trip)
STEM-designated: Yes
Career Support: MSTC offers a dedicated career manager and networking events geared towards entrepreneurship and corporate innovation.
Why it stands out: The first master’s program of its kind in the U.S., the MSTC program is ranked No. 3 for graduate entrepreneurship by Princeton Review.
Specialized Master's FAQ
What is a specialized master’s degree?
A specialized master’s degree is a focused graduate program designed to build deep expertise in a specific field. Texas McCombs offers specialized master’s degrees in six fields of study: accounting, business analytics, finance, information and technology management, marketing, and technology commercialization.
McCombs specialized master’s degrees also have a heavy focus on career preparation. Faculty, program staff, and industry partners design our specialized master’s coursework to equip students with skills that are currently in high demand in the job market. Alongside specialized skills, these degree programs offer dedicated career support, including networking, interview prep, and recruiting opportunities, allowing graduates to step into a new role with confidence.
Who it’s for: A specialized master’s degree is ideal for anyone looking to gain a higher level of specialization and stand out in a competitive job market or take the next step in their current role. It can also be a great option for those looking to pivot into a new field due to its emphasis on career readiness and accelerated timeline.
What you gain: Graduates earn more than just a credential for their resume. They also gain in-demand skills and specialized expertise that help them land job opportunities, benefit from one-on-one career coaching and support, and access to McCombs’ global alumni network.
How is a specialized master’s degree different from an MBA?
Although both degrees are great options for business professionals looking to enhance their skills and unlock new career opportunities, a specialized master’s degree offers several distinct benefits.
Specialization: While an MBA provides a broad overview of business operations and management, specialized master’s degrees provide in-depth knowledge of a specific sector. Specialized programs also emphasize technical and analytical training and hands-on experiences like a capstone project, or other practicum and internship opportunities, which pairs students with a company to solve a business problem. This helps to promote career readiness and provides real-world business experience.
Shorter time commitment: While most traditional MBA programs take about two years to complete, specialized master’s degrees can be completed in a shorter time frame. Most McCombs specialized master’s take 10 months to complete. As a bonus, students often save on tuition because they are only paying for one year of school and deferring one year of salaried employment.
Undergraduate to graduate bridge opportunities: Most of the McCombs specialized master’s offer pathways for current UT undergrads to begin taking graduate courses in the summer before their senior year or immediately after senior year. This offers a unique opportunity to easily transition from bachelor’s to master’s.
Can I apply as a current undergraduate student at UT?
Yes, current UT students can apply for a specialized master’s through the Master of Science Bridge or Master in Professional Accounting Bridge program. Current UT students who are already in their senior year can apply via the traditional application process. Each degree program has its own admission and application process.
To learn more about options for UT undergrads, visit this page: For UT Undergrads.
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