One of the most rewarding and distinguishing aspects of the Eccles MBA is the experiential learning opportunities that take your education beyond the classroom. Whether it’s an international trip, a case competition, a consulting project for a local nonprofit, or another hands-on opportunity — we strive to create one-of-a-kind experiences that simultaneously elevate your outlook, skills, and resume.
The University of Utah facilitates a myriad of unique opportunities to amplify your MBA experience. This includes special courses, internships, campus organizations, student clubs, and engaged faculty. The number and variety of opportunities is always expanding, so if you don’t see something here that interests you, please feel free to ask us about it!
“The Lassonde New Venture Development program, Utah Entrepreneur Challenge, Bench-to-Bedside Medical Device Competition, and Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative have expanded my horizons far beyond the walls of the classroom. In just one year, I took a Utah faculty member’s idea from a rough prototype to a medical device business with significant seed funding and exciting growth potential. I traveled to Oxford, learned from top leaders in the human rights field, including the head of policy at the Red Cross. I gained real, practical experience and had the opportunity to explore, both intellectually and professionally, in new arenas.”
Campus Organizations
Our campus centers and institutes are where your strategic thinking comes to life. Students can engage directly with entrepreneurs, innovative technologies, and unique venture opportunities. This is your ecosystem for hands-on leadership and real-life experience.
Center for Medical Innovation
Innovate and Bring Ideas to Market
The Center for Medical Innovation (CMI) partners across health, business, and engineering to give Full-Time MBA students the opportunity to turn ideas into real-world solutions. Students actively participate in the innovation process—conducting market analysis, developing business strategies, and guiding projects from concept to commercialization. By working alongside entrepreneurs, faculty, and industry experts, students gain hands-on experience bringing products to market while strengthening their leadership and strategic decision-making skills.
Doman Innovation Studio
Transform Ideas into Sustainable Ventures
The Doman Innovation Studio is an incubator that connects students with early-stage for-profit and non-profit ventures. Students gain hands-on experience by advising projects with real prototypes and transactions, helping them move toward stability and profitability. Through individualized mentorship, strategic guidance, and collaboration within a supportive cohort, they actively engage in the startup process—strengthening their ability to create, grow, and lead innovative ventures.
Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute
Live. Create. Launch.
The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute is a nationally ranked hub for student entrepreneurship and innovation. Programs include workshops, networking events, business-plan competitions, startup support, graduate and alumni programs, scholarships, community outreach, and more.
The Lassonde Studios hosts innovators, makers, and entrepreneurs by merging 400 unique residences with a 20,000-square-foot space for students to attend events, build prototypes, and collaborate across disciplines of study.
Sorenson Center for Discovery & Innovation
Apply design thinking and innovation discipline
Take courses in innovation and play in the “Sorenson sandbox.” Learn how to ideate, invent, and apply design thinking to solving problems. Through four unique innovation labs, students develop creativity in thinking about the next technology paradigm: the Internet of Things. The Sorenson Center for Discovery & Innovation offers both extracurricular programs and for-credit opportunities for MBAs.
Sorenson Impact Institute
Catalyze Social Impact
The Sorenson Impact Institute is an applied academic institution dedicated to catalyzing high-impact programs, policies, and investments. The Center works across sectors to develop and implement innovative and data-driven strategies to address difficult social problems.
University Venture Fund
Deploy capital into emerging technologies and businesses
The University Venture Fund is an investment firm that partners with well-known venture capital and private equity firms to provide students with opportunities to perform real-time due diligence and engage in value-add projects. Become actively engaged in real-world investment experiences by working on live deals with professionals at top-tier investment firms and making direct investments alongside the firms they assist.
Competitions
Want a compelling resume builder?
Participate in a case competition. Our MBA students form small teams and participate in competitions across the nation. Whether you join the Race & Case National Competition team, participate in Games4Health, or join one of the dozens of other case teams, you’ll have a networking opportunity, skills test, and opportunity for accomplishment all in one.
Bench to Bedside
Turn Ideas into Health Care Solutions
Bench to Bedside is Utah’s premier health care innovation competition, where students collaborate with clinicians and professionals to tackle real-world medical challenges. Participants gain hands-on experience developing practical solutions that improve patient care, combining innovation with impact in a fast-paced, team-based environment.
Global Experience
Our program offers a wide array of international business experiences.
Your Eccles MBA provides an international perspective woven through both core classes and experiential opportunities.
Student-Sponsored Clubs
Build your network, expand your skill set, and acquire leadership skills.
The Eccles School offers many clubs ranging from the Outdoor Industry Club to Women in Business to Net Impact. With over 25 clubs, there’s something for everyone. Don’t find something that interests you? We’ll provide you with support to start your own.
Get Connected
Whether your journey just started or you’re wrapping up your research – we’re here to help. Connect with us to get your questions answered faster!
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