MBA Strategic Management Major

The Strategic Management major provides students with a deep grounding in the basic logic of competitive advantage, premised on a careful analytical treatment of the distinct qualities and positions of individual firms and an understanding of broader competitive dynamics. This background positions students well for guiding strategy at both established and emerging enterprises, as well as preparing them for positions with consulting firms that work with firms in setting their strategies.


Requirements for The Major

The Strategic Management major requires four credit units beyond the required Wharton core. MGMT classes in the required Wharton core are non-waivable and include MGMT 6100 (Foundations of Teamwork and Leadership, 0.5 cu) as well as your choice of MGMT 6110 (Managing the Established Enterprise) or MGMT 6120 (Managing the Emerging Enterprise) or MGMT 6130 (Managing the Established Enterprise, WEMBA only). All credit units for the major must be taken for a letter grade.

  • At least three credit units must come from the following. The semester or quarter in which each class will tentatively be offered during the 2023-2024 academic year is shown in parentheses for planning purposes. Please consult the MBA course schedule to confirm:
    • MGMT 7010 – Strategy and Competitive Advantage (0.5 cu, Fall Q2, Spring Q3, Q4)
    • MGMT 7110 – Competitive Strategy and Industrial Structure (not offered this academic year)
    • MGMT 7120 – Managing Strategic Partnerships (not offered this academic year)
    • MGMT 7140 – Value Creation and Value Capture in American Business History (Fall)
    • MGMT 7170 – Deals: The Economic Structure of Transacting and Contracting (Spring)
    • MGMT 7210 – Corporate Development: Mergers and Acquisitions (Fall, Spring)
    • MGMT 7230 – Strategy and Environmental Sustainability (0.5 cu, Fall Q2)
    • MGMT 7310 – Technology Strategy (Fall)
    • MGMT 7820 – Strategic Implementation (Spring)
    • MGMT 8010 – Entrepreneurship (0.5 cu, Fall Q1 & Q2, Spring Q3 & Q4)
    • MGMT 8710 – Advanced Global Strategy (0.5 cu, Fall Q2)
    • MGMT 8910 – Advanced Study Project in Strategic Management
  • No more than one credit unit from the following:
    • LGST 8150    – Environmental Law: Management and Policy
    • MGMT 6250 – Corporate Governance (0.5 cu, Spring Q3 & Q4)
    • MGMT 7150  – Political Environment of the Multinational Firm (not offered current academic year)
    • MGMT 7200 – Corporate Diplomacy (Spring)
    • MGMT 7290 – Intellectual Property Strategy for Innovation-Driven Enterprise (0.5 cu, Fall Q2, Spring Q3)
    • MGMT 7730 – Managing Organizational Change (0.5 cu, Spring Q4)
    • MGMT 8020 –Innovation, Change & Entrepreneurship (0.5 cu, Spring Q3)
    • MGMT 8110 – Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (0.5 cu, Fall Q1, Spring Q3)
    • MGMT 8320 – Business Model Innovation Strategy (not offered current academic year)
    • MGMT 8920 – ASP–Collaborative Innovation Program (Fall)
    • MKTG 7770 – Marketing Strategy
    • OIDD 6360 – Scaling Operations: Linking Strategy and Execution
    • Global Modular Courses and Global Virtual Courses with significant content in strategic management, at the discretion of the department advisor.

Advisor: Sara Jane McCaffrey (for current Wharton Students only, Prospective students should contact the Admissions office)
Telephone: 215.898.1149

For additional information or to apply visit the MBA website.