Management

Major

The Army operates in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous global environment. More than ever, the nation needs leaders with knowledge of proven managerial skills to help the Army succeed. Majors can choose from three tracks.

Offered by the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership.

Are you a natural leader who enjoys organizing people, solving problems, and making things run more effectively? Do you want to understand how teams work, how organizations succeed, and how to make smart decisions under pressure? If so, the Management major at the United States Military Academy (West Point) gives you the tools to lead soldiers - and organizations- with purpose, confidence, and impact.

What is Management?

The Management major is all about understanding how to lead people and run complex operations. It combines leadership, business, economics, behavioral science, and systems thinking to prepare you for challenges both in the Army and beyond.

Whether a cadet graduate is leading a platoon, coordinating logistics, or managing resources during a crisis, this major teaches them how to think critically, act strategically, and get the best out of their team. Lead people. Manage complexity. Win as a team. That’s the power of the Management major at West Point.

Why Choose Management at USMA?

Leadership-Focused from Day One
This major is designed for future Army officers - with a focus on leading people, planning operations, and managing resources effectively.
Highly Practical and Versatile
The skills cadets gain can apply across all branches of the Army, and to civilian careers in business, government, operations, logistics, or entrepreneurship.
Strong Preparation for the Real World
Management majors are ready to lead units, plan missions, and make high-stakes decisions - all critical for Army success and long-term leadership.
A Competitive Edge in Any Field
Whether a cadet pursues a military career or eventually moves into the private sector, management training will serve them well for a lifetime.
Data Analysis
Using numbers and information to make smart choices

What To Do With This Major?

A Management degree from West Point sets a graduate up for success in many fields. They can:

Lead as an Army officer in operations, logistics, intelligence, or command
Manage teams in government, tech, business, or nonprofits
Start your own business or develop new ideas within existing organizations
Apply to business school or graduate programs in leadership, policy, or administration
Be the kind of leader who gets things done - with purpose, strategy, and heart

Interested Cadets

Are you a natural leader? Do you enjoy solving problems, working with others, or planning how things get done? The Management major at West Point helps you become a confident, strategic thinker - ready to lead in the Army and in any career you choose.

Management is more than just “business.” It’s about making smart decisions, leading teams, organizing resources, and improving performance - whether on the battlefield, in a company, or during a crisis.

Why Consider This Major

If a cadet enjoys leading teams, organizing projects, working with people, and thinking about how to make things run better, the Management major is a smart and flexible choice. At West Point, they won’t just learn business principles — they'll apply them in ways that directly affect mission success and soldier welfare.

Cadets graduate with a respected degree, no student debt, and the leadership experience to take on complex challenges in any environment.

What Cadets Learn

This major gives cadets the tools to understand people, strategy, and systems. They study:

Organizational Behavior – how teams work and how leaders inspire performance
Decision-Making – how to analyze problems and choose the best solutions
Leadership and Ethics – what it means to lead with integrity
Operations and Project Management – how to plan, execute, and improve missions or projects
Data Analysis – using numbers and information to make smart choices

They learn how to lead in complex, fast-moving environments - skills that are crucial both in the Army and beyond. They take part in simulations, group projects, and real-world problem-solving exercises that reflect what Army officers face in the field.

Choice of Electives

Cadets choose electives that match their interests, such as:

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution – learn how to influence and solve disagreements
Data-Driven Decision Making – turn numbers into smarter leadership choices
Human Resource Management – lead, train, and develop high-performing teams
Strategic Management – learn how big-picture thinking shapes missions and organizations
Innovation and Entrepreneurship – turn ideas into real solutions and ventures

Learn More

Cadets in the Management major will get hands-on experience by applying to one of several domestic or international summer Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) program, USMA-run academic enrichment experiences, including those at top-tier business schools and Fortune 500 companies. They also have access to development opportunities like the Black and Gold Leadership Forum and McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character and various trip sections.

Honor Societies:

To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, West Point Leadership Center or the Office of Economic and Manpower Analysis.