Master of Technology Management
Why study Technology Management? Over the last several decades, new technologies have repeatedly revolutionized the way companies make decisions, run their businesses, and innovate. These technologies offer new and unexpected ways to develop and deliver products and services and manage businesses. But seizing the opportunities that arise from today’s rapid pace of technological change can be a daunting challenge for even the most experienced professionals. Those early in their careers can find it particularly challenging as they prepare for leadership roles on projects, products, and teams in technology-driven companies. UC Santa Barbara's Master of Technology Management offers motivated early- to mid-career professionals the essential technology skills, business acumen, and entrepreneurial mindset to accelerate their careers and expand leadership opportunities within technology-driven firms.
As businesses face the challenges of rapid technological advancements, professionals must develop the technology and management skills to adapt and lead. The MTM (Master of Technology Management) program equips professionals with the tools to navigate and capitalize on these changes. University of California, Santa Barbara job outcomes for MTM graduates are strong, 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.
There are different types of master’s in technology degrees. Master of science in the management of technology and IT management master’s degree programs 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 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, and you can complete the degree in just nine months. 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 and from a range of work experience and 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.
Want to learn more about the different pathways our MTM students have taken before and after MTM? Visit our Alumni story wall to learn about the journeys of alumni with backgrounds in engineering, humanities, social sciences, and more.
Academics
The Master of Technology Management (MTM) program at UC Santa Barbara is an intensive, one-year experience designed to equip professionals with the tools to lead in today’s tech-driven world. Located in the scenic and tech-centric environment of Santa Barbara, the program focuses on key principles that business leaders need to integrate into their strategies—adapting to change, driving continuous innovation, and maintaining a competitive edge.
Discover why you should study Technology Management.
Career Outcomes
MTM Career Services provides tailored, one-on-one student support. After graduation, many students go on to work in the thriving Santa Barbara technology sector, and others secure jobs throughout California and beyond at companies such as Amazon, Apple, and Google. Over 80% of graduates have job offers within 6 months, and many enter product and project management roles.
Explore job outcomes for Master of Technology Management graduates.
Admissions
The Master of Technology Management is designed for motivated, early- to mid-career professionals. MTM's diverse cohorts of 45-55 students are reflective of today’s multidisciplinary business teams. Whether you have a background in STEM or the social sciences, MTM can help you advance your career leading projects, products, and teams within technology-driven firms.
Review the admissions requirements and prepare to apply for the Master of Technology Management.
Cost to Attend and Degree Financing
The MTM program is competitively priced, especially among public universities, and our graduates see a high return on investment in this nine-month program. There are multiple ways to finance your graduate degree, including merit-based scholarships from the Technology Management Department, opportunities to work as teaching assistants at UCSB, and external grants and fellowships.
Learn about the cost to attend and options to finance your degree.
Meet Supriya, MTM 2024
Learn about why Supriya chose to join the MTM graduate program after working in software development. Get a glimpse into her experience with MTM faculty, solving a real-world business challenge in her field project, and living in beautiful Santa Barbara.
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 is the degree name of the Master of Technology Management. Unlike a Master of Science in management of technology (MS) or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) technology management, the MTM degree is tightly focused on the intersection of technology, innovation, and management, empowering professionals to drive strategic growth.
Technology is fundamentally changing the way that teams and businesses operate and innovate. The tech sector—and the number of firms that are becoming technology driven despite not being in what we usually call the tech sector—will continue to grow and offer exciting and rewarding career opportunities. The Master of Technology Management (MTM) program gives early- to- mid-career professionals the essential business and technology knowledge to accelerate their careers and take on leadership roles in innovation-driven firms.
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 UC Santa Barbara. 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 used their MTM degree to pivot into successful careers in leading tech companies. Watch this on-demand webinar for Humanities and Social Sciences majors about how three MTM alumni with these backgrounds used MTM to advance their careers in tech management.
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 tech 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.
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.
Read our student profiles here.
The MTM program at the University of California, Santa Barbara job outcomes are strong, and our alumni secure competitive roles upon graduation and continue to advance in leadership roles throughout their careers. 81% of our students have jobs within 6 months after graduation. The most common roles for MTM graduates are in product and project management. Other MTM graduates accept job offers in marketing, business development, customer success, operations, product development and engineering, analytics, and consulting. Learn more about career outcomes here.
Many people consider going to graduate school for a master’s degree in technology management, a master of science in management technology, or an MBA. While there are some similarities in curriculum and focus across technology management MBA programs, a master in technology management degree from UCSB is a rigorous, 9-month program focused on launching early- and mid-career professionals into careers in tech, IT management, product management, entrepreneurship, and beyond.
Additionally, the MTM differs from MBA technology management online programs because of its cohort-based educational experience. Our students and alumni (like Shelby and Ken) have shared that the cohort experience is one of the most impactful and memorable aspects of the MTM program, and the connections you’ll forge during your MTM year are ones that will continue to serve you both personally and professionally for years to come.
The master’s in Technology Management at UC Santa Barbara is an ideal program for those interested in the intersection of technology, innovation, and management. If you are an engineering or IT professional looking to enhance your technology management skill set, or if you do not have a STEM background and want to launch a career in tech, consider applying to the MTM program. If you have questions about applying for a masters, technology management, or the MTM application, please get in touch with our admissions team: Click here to show mail address.
The Technology Management master’s program is a fully in-person, 9-month program at the beautiful University of California, Santa Barbara campus. Students live and learn on campus in a cohort-based environment, which students and alumni have shared is one of the most impactful and memorable aspects of the MTM program.
Because the Master’s of Technology Management program is conducted in a cohort-based group, there is no online degree offered.
Apply to MTM
UCSB's Graduate Division is now accepting applications for Fall 2025. Begin your application now.
For specific admissions questions, please reach out to our Admissions Team at Click here to show mail address. If you'd like to make an MTM admissions appointment directly, please use this link to book a time. You may also reach out to a grad assistant at this email: Click here to show mail address.
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.
Admissions Deadlines
December 1, 2024 (Priority Fellowship Consideration)
February 1, 2025 (Final Fellowship Consideration)
March 1, 2025 (Final Deadline)
All applications are due by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the day of the deadline.
We strongly encourage applicants to apply early. We recommend that international applicants apply by December 1, 2024 to allow sufficient time for visa requirement processing if admitted.