MTM Admissions

MTM
Admissions

The Master of Technology Management (MTM) is a rigorous, 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.

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

Admissions Requirements

Application Overview

Requirements

  • Minimum of a cumulative 3.0 GPA or equivalent of a B average in undergraduate coursework

  • Official TOEFL, ELTS, or DET scores (please see Transcripts & Exam scores for more information)

  • Statement of Purpose

  • Personal History & Diversity Statement

  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae

  • Three Letters of Recommendation

  • Admissions interview may be required

**The GRE/GMAT is not required.

Personal Statements & Resume or CV

UCSB Graduate Division requires a Statement of Purpose and a Personal History & Diversity 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 graduate professional education at UCSB, specifically MTM?
  • 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 technology innovation or strategy?
  • What previous experiences do you have and how have they helped you come to realize that MTM is a good fit?
  • 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 & Diversity Statement (Double-spaced, 12-pt. font, 2 pages maximum)

In your Personal History & Diversity 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:

  • In what ways do you believe today’s developing technology could be propelled by your own contributions?
  • What does diversity and inclusion mean to you? What does it mean to you within the technology industry?
  • How have your goals and/or ambitions been impacted by technology innovation?
  • Have you had to overcome or are overcoming any adversities? Has this affected your decision to pursue a graduate degree?
  • How have you contributed to teams you have been on? Have you ever experienced a leadership position?
  • What do you intend to do with an MTM? Will MTM provide you with additional skills to pursue your future career?

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.

Letters of Recommendation

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 send 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, Click here to show mail address.

Transcripts & Exam Scores

Transcripts

Transcripts are only 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, your 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

Paper-based TOEFL

Minimum Score: 550

IELTS

Minimum Score: 7 overall band-score

Duolingo English Test

Minimum Score: 120, or higher

Submitting & Deadlines

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. Fee waivers are available to domestic students who qualify via Graduate Division.

The UCSB Graduate Division online application will begin accepting applications in September. Learn more about submitting your online application here.

Admission Deadlines

December 1, 2024 (Priority Fellowship Consideration)

February 1, 2025 (Final Fellowship Consideration)

March 1, 2025 (Final Deadline)

We strongly encourage applicants to apply early. We recommend that international applicants apply by December 1 to allow sufficient time for visa requirement processing if admitted. 

International Applicants

Prospective international students are encouraged to apply by the December deadline to secure an I-20 and complete the visa process in a timely manner. Admitted international students must first submit their Statement of Intent to Register in order to begin the I-20 process with the Office of International Students and Scholars.

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.

For questions related to the I-20 process, visas, OPT, CPT, or other international student matters, please contact OISS directly:​ oiss.sa.ucsb.edu, Click here to show mail address, (805) 893-2929

For admitted international students, you are also required to complete CALI Training, which takes place the week before Fall Quarter. Later arrival will require prior approval.

Meet Ken, MTM 2024

With an entrepreneurial background and BAs in Communication and Sociology from UC Santa Barbara, Ken was looking to pivot in his career and joined the MTM program. Learn about why Ken chose MTM and hear about his experiences in this accelerated program for future tech leaders.

Frequently Asked MTM Admissions Questions

There are three application deadlines for Fall 2025 admission consideration:

December 1, 2024, 11:59pm Pacific Time (Priority Fellowship Consideration)

February 1, 2025, 11:59pm Pacific Time (Final Fellowship Consideration)

March 1, 2025, 11:59pm Pacific Time (Final Deadline)

We strongly encourage applicants to apply early. We recommend that international applicants apply by December 1 to allow sufficient time for visa requirement processing if admitted.

All applications require a non-refundable application fee. If you are a US citizen or Permanent Resident, the application fee is $​135; for all others, the application fee is $155. No application will be processed until the application fee has been received. This fee can be paid by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or with a check/money order using the Check/Money Order Submission Form found on the last page of the application.

A limited number of application fee waivers are available to qualified U.S. citizens and permanent resident applicants through UCSB’s Graduate Division, not Technology Management. International applicants are not eligible for fee waivers. If you are eligible, you must apply for the fee waiver at the end of your application on the payment page. Fee waivers take approximately two weeks to be approved, so apply early to avoid a decision release delay.

To be considered for admission, you must have received a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited university prior to the quarter for which you seek admission, and have at least a B average (3.0 GPA) in your undergraduate coursework. Satisfaction of minimal standards does not, however, guarantee admission, since the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number of spaces available. As a consequence, many well-qualified applicants cannot be accommodated.

In general, the Graduate Division Dean will not admit students to the MTM program who have a degree from a three-year bachelor program unless an additional post-graduate degree follows.

We currently do not require the GRE or GMAT. If you include your scores in the application, the Admissions Committee will not consider the scores while reviewing your application.

An excellent command of written and spoken English is required prior to enrollment at UCSB.

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL, the IELTS, or the DET. The following exams are accepted for meeting English Language Examination admissions requirements: TOEFL iBT, TOEFL PBT, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL iBT Paper Edition; IELTS (Academic), IELTS Online (Academic), IELTS Indicator; and Duolingo English Test (DET). The following exams are not accepted: TOEFL ITP Plus, TOEFL Essentials, and other exams not specifically noted above. 

The university minimum TOEFL score requirement is 550 when taking the paper-based test (PBT) and 80 when taking the internet-based test (IBT). The university minimum IELTS score for consideration is an Overall Band Score of 7. Official test score dates must be within two years from the day the applicant submits the online graduate application. The university minimum DET score is 120.

Exemptions will be considered for students who have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at an institution whose verified sole official language of instruction is English. Applicants must upload unofficial transcripts indicating (1) completion of the degree program and (2) English as the official language of instruction.

Three letters of recommendation are required as part of your application. At least one letter must be from an academic reference. Employer letters of recommendation are accepted.

Please make sure that your recommenders upload their recommendation letter prior to the deadline for which you are applying. If possible, recommenders should submit their letter on official letterhead and sign it with contact information listed.

The Statement of Purpose and the Personal History & Diversity Statement are separate documents and cannot contain the same content. They provide an opportunity for you to let us know why you are interested in the MTM program, what your goals are, and what drives you in your personal and professional life. Describe aspects of your personal background, accomplishments, or achievements that you believe are important in evaluating your admission to the program. The Admissions Committee is looking for leadership skills, tenacity, integrity, and grit. Explain how your life, academics, and work experiences will enrich the MTM graduate program, as well as the UCSB community at large. 

The statements are very important to the Admissions Committee for their holistic review. It is also an opportunity for you to stand out from the other applicants or clarify weaknesses in your application such as low GPA or limited work experience.

Statement of Purpose: 2 pages, double spaced, 12-pt. font 

Personal History and Diversity Statement: 2 pages, double spaced, 12-pt. font

The UCSB Graduate Division’s “How to Apply” webpage includes directions, FAQs, and the online graduate application link. You can also find the Technology Management/MTM graduate program link on the Graduate Division website here.

The Master of Technology Management is designed for completion over three consecutive quarters, or nine months. All admitted students start together in the fall quarter, which begins at the end of September. The MTM graduate program is an in-person program, and UCSB is accredited as an in-person instructional university.

Yes. The Master of Technology Management graduate degree is a STEM-designated degree program.

You may email questions to the MTM graduate program staff, or if you would like to meet with one of the MTM graduate program staff via Zoom or in person, please email Click here to show mail address and request an appointment. 

Apply to MTM

UCSB's Graduate Division will begin accepting applications in September 2024 for Fall 2025. Be the first to know when applications open! Join our waitlist now and stay updated with the latest application information, events, and tips.

For specific admissions questions, please reach out to our Admissions Team at Click here to show mail address. 

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 to allow sufficient time for visa requirement processing if admitted.

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