Asia School Of Business MBA+ Master Of Science In Management Studies Review

Few students can boast of studying at top business schools in both Asia and the US, however graduates of this innovative MBA degree option have that luxury. 

Offered through a partnership between the Asia School of Business and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management (MIT), the MBA+ Master of Science in Management Studies (MSMS) is a unique opportunity to study an MBA in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, before embarking on a nine-month MSc in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  

So, who is this unique cross-continental post-MBA pathway for? What does the MSMS curriculum look like? And what impact can undertaking the MBA+ MSMS have on your career? 

Asia School Of Business MBA+ MIT MSMS | Who is it for?

The option to apply to study the MSMS at MIT on top of their MBA degree is available to students on the ASB MBA program.  

The ASB MBA is a highly diverse degree that attracts students from across the globe, each of whom has an average of seven years of work experience. 

From the Class of 2018 to the Class of 2023, the ASB MBA program has welcomed students from 49 countries. In total, 60% of students have come from international backgrounds, with 40% being female.  

Students who opt for the MSMS degree option and successfully enroll in the program after their MBA enter a class that comprises graduates from a range of other top MBA programs and Master in Management (MiM) programs around the world.  

As a STEM-designated Master’s degree, the program has an additional benefit for international students, who can apply for an extension to their 12-month optional training period after graduation, making it possible to stay in the US for a total of three years.  

“Every MSMS student here approaches this differently. Some use it to skyrocket their international careers, some find cofounders and establish their startups, and some use it as an entry point to securing jobs in North America,” explains Matthew Roman, a Class of 2022 ASB MBA grad from the Philippines who joined the MSMS program.  

Asia School Of Business MBA+ MIT MSMS | Curriculum

The ASB MBA equips students with knowledge of a broad array of fundamental business subjects including finance, marketing, and accounting. After graduating, those who embark on the MIT MSMS can specialize their learning within a program composed of thesis research and elective courses from MIT, Harvard, and Wellesley.

“ASB gave me a strong foundation in international business management viewed from an Asian lens. It made me a good generalist and equipped me to handle any business challenge,” says Matthew (pictured).  

“MIT's MSMS experience allowed me to dive deeper into subjects that mattered to me and form an expert-level skill set,” he adds.  

Some of the areas that students can study are: Management Science; Economics, Finance, and Accounting; and Behavioral and Policy Sciences. Matthew was even able to branch out into other disciplines, studying corporate law with the Harvard Law School.  

The program is also STEM-designated. This means students must have a minimum number of STEM subject units within their electives. This covers areas including finance, engineering, and architecture. 

Towards the end of their nine-month study period, they can dive deeper into a particular area of interest while completing a final thesis.  

“I used the extra year to specialize in my field of Digital Transformation,” explains Matthew. “I used my thesis research to help Southeast Asia become more digitally capable against Western competition. Helping my region is crucial to me, and so I chose to focus my research on something that can advance Southeast Asian countries on a global scale.” 

This flexibility in subject matter ensures MBA+ MSMS students can get the maximum possible benefit from their nine-months of additional study. However, as an MIT Sloan program, learning at one of the world’s top business schools is still a rigorous learning experience that requires dedication and a discerning approach when choosing how to spend your time.  

Before beginning the MSMS program, Matthew gained the opportunity to spend several weeks on the MIT campus during the MIT Immersion program that’s offered to ASB MBA students. This gave him a taste of what studying a full degree at MIT Sloan would be like.  

“Regardless of the preparation, doing the full MIT experience was still a significant step up, and the challenge is more than merely academic. It’s an international campus, and you must work with many different people and perspectives,” he adds.  

Asia School Of Business MBA+ MIT MSMS | Career Impact 

Being able to tailor the study experience means that graduates from the MSMS can open up a range of different career paths after they leave the program. 

Having two Masters degrees from two top business schools also opens up a wide variety of opportunities: some students go on to land top jobs with multinationals, including the likes of Amazon, while others embark on careers in entrepreneurship. 

Matthew had already begun a career in entrepreneurship before beginning his MBA+ MSMS journey. In 2017, he launched Vasavah, a digital transformation company, and later chose business school as a way to develop an international perspective and unlock global opportunities.  

Living and studying in two different continents was fundamental to this decision, however he feels spending time within highly diverse business school classrooms has also had an impact.  

“I plan to continue being an entrepreneur, and now I'm working on more startups and opportunities. The network I have built at MIT is invaluable, and the shift into a global mindset has opened so many opportunities for me,” he explains.  

Reflecting on the value of the MSMS, Matthew feels enrolling in the program can have a profound impact on your personal and professional development. Though, he advises those considering applying to the MSMS program to take a proactive approach.  

“The MSMS is a very competitive program, so it's best to have it in your sights when you are doing your MBA at ASB,” he says. “MIT believes that past behavior is an indicator of future success, so the time to prepare for your application is really when you start your ASB MBA journey.”