The Master of Technology Management Program has supervised over 50 MTM Field Projects in recent years. The projects have covered diverse aspects of business goals and problems of direct importance to the sponsoring companies. Student teams have provided insights on product management, business process analysis, marketing considerations, technical developments, quality control, human resource management, and financial assessments. Project outcomes have been based on customer and employee interviews, root-cause analysis, and market research that inform the development, management, and deployment of resources, products, or services. Companies have focused on projects to improve business processes, measure development capacity, and increase the impact of products and services. Projects can be conducted in manufacturing or service firms, whether nonprofit, private, or public.

The scopes of the MTM Field Projects are developed in collaboration with the student teams, the faculty mentor, and the focal company. The following examples illustrate some of the types of projects MTM teams have completed. We are also open to developing projects that diverge from these examples. Let us know what you have in mind, and we’ll work with you to scope a project that is an impactful learning experience for everyone involved.


Organizational Development Projects

Improving Business Unit Collaboration

Develop a thorough understanding of the work done in each business unit, as well as the similarities and differences in product offerings and profit models across business units. Conduct an assessment of customer needs across various business units to determine if customers served by one division would benefit from solutions offered in another division. Identify areas for improvements in knowledge sharing, resource mobility, sharing of customers, and reducing work duplication across divisions. Determine plan for optimizing coordination across business units.

Assessment of Hiring, Knowledge Transfer, and Employee Retention Strategies

Project scope includes research findings and comparable case studies regarding best
knowledge management and transfer practices, employee training programs, alternative
recruiting methods and HR deployment models, employee retention tactics, planning for
increased diversity, and increased effectiveness in remote recruiting. Project scope also
includes potential implementation plan for new knowledge transfer program, recruitment and onboarding processes, and/or employee retention practices.


Business Development Projects

Increase Executive Awareness and Interest

Investigate interactions between high-ranking executives at major corporations: What is the
profile of executives in the technology industry? What can the company do to meet these
people? What is an effective elevator pitch to get them interested in having further discussions with the company? Results include a report on the landscape of relevant executives to target, a macro strategy for developing relationships with targets, and a micro strategy for each target.

Client Opportunities for Increasing Efficiency

Develop a list of subsidies, credits, and incentive programs that exist within the various
geographies in which the company’s clients operate and assess what is needed to take advantage of them. Develop a typology of the company’s various clients and a set of insights around how those different types might benefit from each of the incentives and subsidies. Where applicable, make suggestions for product innovations in the company’s  main software portfolio or recent company acquisitions that build on the insights about how clients can better take advantage of such incentives.

 

Market and Competitor Analysis Projects

Evaluating Opportunities for Expansion into Foreign Market

Analyze the company's opportunities for international expansion, applying similar use cases and products that are offered currently in the U.S. The team will explore strategic product adjacency opportunities, given shifts in the industry and in buyer personas.

Competitor Analysis of Focal Market

The team will perform research inside of a company's product innovation and strategy groups, as well as externally with competitors and potential customers. Through the combination of these findings and reputable academic resources, the team will create a well-developed presentation regarding the opportunity of a new market vertical, including details on the market size, potential go-to-market and pricing strategies, customer profiles, and marketing initiatives.

Industry Analysis for Potential New Market Entry

Provide analysis through research, investigation, and validation of go-to-market strategies to enhance the sales potential of new products, above and beyond current product launch plans and forecasts. The goal will be to make recommendations to help leverage the brand, product- market fit, marketing, and distribution strategies to 2x the sales opportunity for new products.


Operational Improvement Projects

Order Fulfillment Intelligence

Analyze the existing processes within the fast-paced, highly automated distribution center and determine how to enhance these processes through the use of data intelligence.

Project Planning Process

Evaluate current project planning process and improve how company selects and prioritizes projects. Create visibility across the organization about what projects are planned and any critical activities that are either linked together or need to progress in parallel. Help the company improve its understanding of how many projects, and what mix, the company can and should take on as part of the planning process.


Customer Retention Projects

Data-Driven Approach to Enhancing Customer Experience

The project’s first phase requires development of multiple, data-driven hypotheses that identify how to accurately define—and ultimately predict—a “successful” customer. Developed hypotheses will be validated against the existing customer base through interviews, surveys, and analytics. Once one or two hypotheses have been validated, the project team will classify the customer base into three categories: At Risk, Average, and Successful. They will then work closely with the Product team to develop a program (in-product, training based, or other) to move a defined percentage of customers from At Risk or Average into the Successful category.

Evaluation of Customer Integration Efforts

Analyze the effectiveness of historical customer integration efforts and make recommendations for improvements. Project includes: (1) Performing a comprehensive analysis of integration efforts to date (scope, timelines, resources, cost). (2) Identifying characteristics of successful vs. unsuccessful integrations. (3) Evaluating planned vs. actual project outcomes. (4) Recommending areas of improvement for leaner project implementation and process adoption.

Have any questions about the MTM field projects?

Email us at mtm@tmp.ucsb.edu

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.

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.