Courses
Cases, consulting projects, and AI
The Strategy curriculum is built on three pillars: the case method (analyzing real strategic decisions across industries), the consulting engagement model (solving real problems for real clients), and AI as a working tool (integrated into research, analysis, modeling, and communication). Together, these methods train the transferable skill set—structured problem decomposition, hypothesis-driven analysis, cross-functional synthesis, executive communication, and stakeholder alignment—that produces careers across consulting, product management, corporate strategy, entrepreneurship, and beyond.
What You'll Learn to Do
- Structured problem decomposition — Break ambiguous problems into testable parts
- Hypothesis-driven analysis — Lead with a point of view, let data refine it
- Cross-functional synthesis — Connect finance, marketing, ops, and tech
- Executive communication — Distill complexity into clear recommendations
- Stakeholder alignment — Get diverse groups moving in the same direction
- Deciding under ambiguity — Make sound bets when the data is incomplete
- AI-augmented research & analysis — Wield AI to accelerate every step
Major Pre-reqs
- ACC 200: Principles of Accounting
- IS 201: Introduction to Management Information Systems
One course from the following list:
- ACC 310: Principles of Accounting 2
- ECON 110: Economic Principles and Problems (starting in 2026, Econ 110 will be a required pre-req. In 2025 any course from this list will be accepted)
- FIN 201: Principles of Finance
- GSCM 201 & GSCM 211
- IS 303: Introduction to Computer Programming
- MKTG 201: Marketing Management
- STAT 121: Principles of Statistics
Minor Pre-reqs
- ACC 200: Principles of Accounting
- ECON 110: Econ Principles & Problems
- FIN 201: Principles of Finance (starting in 2026, this pre-req will be replaced by IS 201: Introduction to Information Systems. For 2025, either course will be accepted*)
*If you apply using IS 201 in 2025 you must email Lisa Giguere so she can substitute this for FIN 201 in your application.
Junior Year for Majors
All newly admitted students enroll in the following courses their Junior year:
Fall Semester
- STRAT 326: Career Development (1.0 credit)
- STRAT 401: Intro to Strategic Management (3.0 credits)
- STRAT 402: Economics of Strategy (3.0 credits)
- STRAT 431: Strategic Thinking I (1.5 credits)
Students who have not completed ECON 110 or STATS 121 should enroll in these during their first Fall semester in the program.
Students interested in applying for the Product track should also enroll in the following:
| Experiential Learning Option | Fall Pre-Req Courses to Take | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Product Manager (APM) Internship | MSB 341: Product Management (3.0 credits), MSB 342: Product Management Lecture Series (1.0 credit) | 4-month experience, may extend. Interviews mid-Fall; selection depends on course performance & company needs. 15-20 slots per year. |
| Associate Product Builder (APB) Fellowship | STRAT 490R: Creating Digital Products with AI: Strategy & Prototyping, MSB 342: Product Management Lecture Series (1.0 credit) | 12-month experience; includes loan-based funding and stipend. Builds pre-validated products. Interviews mid-Fall. 5-10 slots per year. |
| Sandbox | None formally required | 2-semester experience launching a tech venture. Apply in Winter. 5-10 slots per year. |
| Crocker Innovation Fellowship | None formally required | 12-month program. Apply in Fall. Best for physical product builders. Only 1-2 slots per year. |
Students interested in doing the Sandbox capstone experience will apply for that during Winter semester.
All other students will complete the Business Analyst capstone experience their senior year while taking STRAT 421: Strategy Implementation. No separate application is required.
Each student completes a single capstone experience by the time they graduate.
Winter Semester
- STRAT 411: Competitive Strategy (3.0 credits)
- STRAT 412: Data Analytics for Strategists (3.0 credits)
- STRAT 432: Strategic Thinking II (1.5 credits)
Students interested in doing the Sandbox capstone experience will apply during Winter semester of their Junior year.
Students admitted to the APM Internship will also enroll in:
- STRAT 477: APM Lab (3.0 credits)
- STRAT 490R: APM Capstone (1.0 credits)
Senior Year for Majors
During their senior year, students complete their chosen capstone experience. Students are encouraged to take other strategy electives based on their interests.
Fall Semester
- STRAT 421: Strategy Implementation (3.0 credits)
Students admitted to the APM Internship will also enroll in:
- ENT 401: Creativity and Innovation (3.0 credits)
Course List
A list of courses and key questions addressed in each is shown in the table below:
| Course Number | Title | Key Question Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| STRAT 401 | Intro to Strategic Management | How do firms sustain competitive advantage and capture value? (case discussions) |
| STRAT 402 | Economics of Strategy | What are the economic foundations that drive the success and failure of companies? |
| STRAT 411 | Competitive Strategy | What should the company do to improve performance in a competitive and always changing market? (case presentations) |
| STRAT 412 | Data Analytics for Strategists | What is the data telling me? (gather, analyze, and communicate insights) |
| STRAT 431/432 | Strategic Thinking | How can I apply rigorous thinking to broader, societal questions? |
| ENT 401 | Creativity and Innovation | How do companies innovate and create more value for customers? |
| STRAT 325 | Intro to Management Consulting | How can I best prepare to land the interview, nail it, and excel in a Management Consulting job? |
| STRAT 490R | Corporate Strategy | How should a company choose and manage its portfolio of businesses to create long-term value? |
| STRAT 490R | Creating Digital Products with AI | How can I leverage new AI tools to rapidly test and iterate on new digital product ideas? |
| STRAT 490R | Understanding AI: From Foundations to Strategy | How does AI work under the hood and what can I expect and not expect from it? |
| STRAT 490R | Advanced Strategy Analytics | How can I apply advanced analytics to real business questions? (python, statistical methods) |
Still have questions? Read our FAQ or email Lisa Giguere from the advisement office.