The Master of Technology Management (MTM) is a one-year graduate program for early- to mid-career professionals seeking to accelerate their careers and take on leadership roles in technology-driven companies. MTM is STEM-designated and is an academic program of the Department of Technology Management, which is housed in the world-renowned College of Engineering at UCSB.

MTM graduate students complete a rigorous curriculum, including coursework and a field project, that prepares them to succeed in the fast-paced and challenging environment of technology-driven firms. The MTM program provides students the skills and knowledge to apply data analytics in decision making, to work with intelligent machines to solve challenging problems, to organize and manage technology teams in the unique environment of a technology-driven firm, and to apply an entrepreneurial mindset to identify and capitalize on new business opportunities.

Our holistic admissions review considers all factors in your application, including previous experience and accomplishments, academic preparedness and merit, and statements of purpose.

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Each MTM student cohort comprises individuals with backgrounds in engineering, science, mathematics, social sciences, and humanities. Some students enroll in MTM after completing their undergraduate degree, while others have several years of professional experience. This diversity enhances the student experience by deepening classroom discussion and allowing students to explore a range of problem-solving approaches.

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  • Minimum of a cumulative 3.0 GPA or equivalent of a B average in undergraduate coursework
  • Official TOEFL, IELTS, or DET scores (please see Transcripts & Exam scores for more information)
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Admissions interview may be required
  • **The GRE/GMAT is not required.

UCSB Graduate Division requires a Statement of Purpose and a Personal History Statement. Applicants may not combine the two Statements into one statement or document; they must be submitted separately.

The UCSB Graduate Division provides their own guidelines; however, please feel free to consider the following questions in your response, as well as to the ones provided by the Graduate Division.

Note: These questions are meant to serve as a starting point, not an exact rulebook, for your work.

Statement of Purpose (Double-spaced, 12-pt. font, 2 pages maximum)

Here are some questions that you may consider:

  • Why are you interested in the Master of Technology Management program at UCSB?

  • What is your interest in technology and/or innovation?

  • What are some examples of your academic or extracurricular achievements and how do they relate to tech management, innovation, or strategy?

  • What previous academic and work experiences do you have and how have they helped you to realize that MTM is a good fit for your goals and interests?

  • How will MTM prepare you to enter a career path you are interested in? What is your objective after MTM?

  • Are there any other factors that you wish to be taken into consideration?

Personal History Statement (Double-spaced, 12-pt. font, 2 pages maximum, word count must be at least 250 words)

In your Personal History Statement, we would like you to describe any unique or challenging experiences that you have encountered throughout your life and how you have or are attempting to overcome them. These include but are not limited to the following prompts:

  • Have you had any unique or challenging experiences that have shaped your interest in technology management, your approach to work/academics, and/or your career goals?
  • Can you describe any examples of working toward greater diversity and inclusion in your personal or professional life?
  • How have your goals and/or ambitions been impacted by technology innovation? How have you contributed to teams you have been on?
  • Have you ever experienced a leadership position?

Note that the Personal History Statement must be at least 250 words, and this count does not include titles or headers.

Résumé or Curriculum Vitae

Please consider the following when crafting your Resume or CV:

  • Education: List all of the universities you attended and degrees you obtained.
  • Previous work experience: Job responsibilities, technical skills, etc.
  • Your extracurricular activities: Tell us of any extracurricular activities in which you have been involved during college and beyond, either full- or part-time.

At least one letter must be from an academic reference. The other two may be from professional references.

Recommender requests are made within the online application. Once you list a recommender, they will be sent a link to complete their evaluation and submit their letter.

Please make sure that your recommenders submit their recommendation prior to the deadline for which you are applying.

If possible, recommenders should submit their letters on official letterheads. If your recommender has issues with the online system, please have them contact MTM directly, mtmadmissions@tmp.ucsb.edu.

Transcripts
Transcripts are required from institutions at which you have completed at least one full term of coursework (12+ units/credits). Unofficial transcripts are accepted for review, but official transcripts are required by UCSB Graduate Division upon admission.

For applicants still enrolled in an undergraduate degree, transcripts with 'In Progress' or 'Planned' are accepted. Upon admission to MTM, you must hold a conferred bachelor's degree and all official transcripts must be final.

If you are a UCSB graduate, you will need to submit unofficial transcripts for review but do not need to submit official transcripts.

For international applicants, please report your GPA on the scale reflected on your transcript. MTM will calculate your GPA internally.

Exam Scores
* Please note: The GRE / GMAT is not required.

TOEFL/IELTS/DET (if applicable)
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam, or the Duolingo English Test.

International applicants who have or will have completed the equivalent of a U. S. undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution whose sole language of instruction is English are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS/DET exam.

Minimum scores for admission to MTM:

  • Internet-based TOEFL - Minimum Score: 80 (use UCSB Graduate Institution code 4835; no department code is required)
  • IELTS - Minimum Score: 7 overall band-score (request that University of California, Santa Barbara - Graduate Admissions receive your scores)
  • Duolingo English Test - Minimum Score: 120, or higher (request that University of California, Santa Barbara - Graduate Admissions receive your scores)

MTM is a STEM degree eligible for a two-year OPT extension. Learn more about OPT by visiting the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) website.

UCSB’s OISS begins accepting I-20 requests from international students who have submitted their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) at the beginning of April. For questions related to the I-20 process, visas, OPT, CPT, or other international student matters, please contact OISS directly:​ oiss.sa.ucsb.edu, oiss@sa.ucsb.edu, (805) 893-2929.

All admitted applicants who have earned a degree(s) from an institution(s) outside of the United States are required to complete and submit a World Education Services (WES) Course-by-Course ICAP Evaluation for all degrees earned. Further information on this requirement and other instructions for admitted students can be found on Graduate Division's Admitted International Students page.

To be considered for admission, you must complete the UCSB Graduate Division's online application. A full explanation of the UCSB Graduate Division's application process is located here. Make sure to select "Technology Management" as your Major under the College of Engineering, and MTM as your degree objective.

Only applications in paid status will be reviewed. Applicants must be in paid status prior to the deadline for which they are applying in order to be considered.

All materials submitted must be "Locked" within the online application to be reviewed. Unlocked items will not be reviewed.

The application fee is $135 for U. S. citizens and permanent residents and $155 for international applicants.

Application Sponsorships

Graduate Division provides fee waivers for qualified domestic students, which you can learn more about here. UCSB Technology Management provides application sponsorships for any University of California campus alumni and current students. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements of the fee waiver/sponsorship provided by either Graduate Division (for US students only) or Technology Management (for UC alumni/students only), we are unable to provide you an application fee waiver.

Apply to MTM

The application portal for Fall 2027 admission will open in early September 2026. Sign up for our mailing list to be notified of Fall admissions events!

For specific admissions questions, please reach out to our Admissions Team. If you'd like to make an MTM admissions appointment directly, please use this link to book a time. 

Interested in hearing from a current student? Reach out to mtmadmissions@tmp.ucsb.edu

Are you a UC alumni or soon-to-be graduate? You can apply for the MTM program for free! Learn more and submit an application sponsorship request.

 

Admissions Deadlines

December 2, 2026 (Priority financial aid consideration)

February 18, 2027 (Final application deadline for UCSB graduate housing guarantee eligibility)

April 30, 2027 (Final deadline)

All applications are due by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the day of the deadline.

 

Technology Management is a multidisciplinary field that examines the opportunities and challenges of technological innovation, industry disruption, and technology-driven organizational change, and their influence on business performance and competitive advantage. It focuses on understanding how technology affects individuals, organizations, and society and the challenges and opportunities this creates for businesses. It also focuses on best practices for dealing with and capitalizing on technological change. MTM equips professionals with the tools to navigate these changes.

MTM is the Master of Technology Management, a degree built for leaders in today’s digital economy. Unlike traditional MBA or MS in Engineering programs, MTM stands at the intersection of technology, innovation, and management, empowering professionals to drive strategic growth. UC Santa Barbara’s MTM program not only provides these essential skills but also delivers strong job outcomes, with alumni securing roles in top technology firms and leadership positions across industries. Graduates from the University of California, Santa Barbara MTM program are well-prepared to excel in tech management roles that require both technical expertise and business acumen.

Technology Management is a multidisciplinary field of science that examines the opportunities and challenges of technological innovation, industry disruption, and organizational change, and their influence on business performance and competitive advantage.

There are different types of master’s in technology and management degrees. Master of science in the management of technology, IT management master’s degree programs, and master of science in engineering and management degrees are designed exclusively for those with engineering and STEM backgrounds. MBA technology management degrees are for applicants with at least several years of work experience and have a broader curriculum covering a variety of business topics and industries. These master’s in technology, IT management master’s, and MBA in technology management degrees usually take 12-24 months to complete. The unique position of the UC Santa Barbara technology management master’s degree is that all of our curriculum is focused on the technology business context and application. You’ll learn the business skills of an MBA but with the focus needed to excel in technology-driven industries. Moreover, our graduates are able to pursue a range of careers beyond technical and support specialist roles. One of the top skills needed to lead in an increasingly diverse and global workforce is experience managing diverse teams. In UCSB’s MTM, working within our diverse cohorts with students of STEM and non-STEM backgrounds, from a range of work experience, and from different localities will hone your skills in leading teams and managing clients and stakeholders. Plus, you’re ready to launch into your next job in just nine months due to our focused curriculum that enables you to complete your master’s in technology management in three academic quarters.

Because technologies come and go. The ability to lead, innovate, and build organizations in a world shaped by technology does not.

Would you sign up for a degree in "Personal Computer Management" or "Internet Management"? And if you had earned one fifteen years ago, would you want that title on your resume today?

Of course not.

Those technologies became so important that they stopped being special technologies that only a few people focused on. They became embedded in nearly everything organizations do. AI is following the same path.

That's why our degree is in Technology Management. We teach students how to use AI, build businesses with AI, and lead organizations through AI-driven change. But more importantly, we teach them how to manage in a world where technology never stops changing. They learn how to identify opportunities created by emerging technologies, build businesses around them, redesign work and organizations to capture their value, and lead people through the transformations that follow.

A degree in AI prepares you for today's technology. A degree in Technology Management prepares you for tomorrow's.

The MTM program is a STEM-designated degree offered by the Department of Technology Management, which is housed within the world-renowned College of Engineering at UCSB. MTM does not require a STEM background and provides those with backgrounds in the humanities and social sciences the skills and confidence to pursue careers in tech-driven firms.

Meet Jessica and Natalie, who majored in the humanities and social sciences and used their MTM degree to pivot into successful careers in leading tech companies.

The MTM program is eligible for a 12-month optional practical training (OPT) after graduation based on your student visa. Additionally, the MTM program is eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension after that. You can learn more about the OPT extension here

We are looking for applicants with a keen interest in the application of technology in a business environment. You should be interested in things such as how to apply data analytics in decision making, how to work with intelligent machines to solve challenging problems, how to organize and manage technology teams in the challenging environment of a technology-driven firm, and how to apply an entrepreneurial mindset to identify and capitalize on the business opportunities new technologies create. 

We are not looking for a specific educational background, as we know that studying technology management is compatible with many different backgrounds. You might have a background in the humanities or social sciences and want to gain the skills and confidence to launch a career in tech. Or you might have an engineering or science background and want to move from technical to leadership roles. What is important is that you want to drive change and propel innovation in technology-driven firms.

We seek applicants who are passionate about leveraging technology in a business setting. Whether you’re interested in applying data analytics to decision-making, collaborating with intelligent machines to tackle complex challenges, leading technology teams in fast-paced environments, or using an entrepreneurial mindset to harness new business opportunities created by emerging technologies, this program is for you. We welcome candidates from diverse educational backgrounds. Whether you come from the humanities or social sciences and are looking to launch a career in tech, or you have an engineering or science background and want to transition into leadership roles, what matters most is your drive to innovate and lead in tech-driven industries. Our admissions process is holistic, considering your academic achievements, professional experience, and personal journey. We’re building a diverse cohort of students who will bring unique perspectives and enrich the learning experience. Use your application to showcase how your background, skills, and experiences align with the MTM program and how you will contribute to the cohort’s success. The Admissions Committee values leadership, resilience, integrity, and grit—qualities that will help you thrive at UCSB and beyond. If you’re ready to make a high-impact investment in your career, drive innovation, and study in a beautiful, dynamic environment, the Master of Technology Management at UC Santa Barbara is for you.

We kindly ask that you do not reach out to MTM’s professors due to the large number of applications we receive. We encourage you to be in touch with current MTM students by emailing mtmgraduateassistants@tmp.ucsb.edu. You can follow MTM on Instagram and keep up with UCSB Technology Management faculty and students on LinkedIn.

89% of our students have job offers within 6 months after graduation, and a majority have job offers before graduation.

The UCSB Graduate Division application portal will open in September 2026 for Fall 2027 admission. Sign up for our mailing list to receive notification of when the portal is open. For specific admissions questions, please reach out to our Admissions Team at mtmadmissions@tmp.ucsb.edu. If you'd like to make an MTM admissions appointment, please use this link to book a time.

Are you a UCSB alumni or soon-to-be graduate? You can apply for the MTM program for free! Learn more and submit an application fee waiver request here.

As part of the fast-paced curriculum, MTM students are not required to do an internship. Instead, they complete a hands-on Field Project, taken as a course in winter and spring quarters. Due to the client-focused nature of these projects, students are required to participate in a Field Project rather than an internship. Learn more about Field Projects here. 

In order to maintain active graduate status at UC Santa Barbara, students must maintain a minimum of 8 units per quarter. In their MTM year, students maintain a minimum of 12 to complete the total requirements for the program. You can read more about enrollment requirements from the UC Santa Barbara Graduate Division here.