Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree, Online Program
Program Overview
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree, Online Program
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, online program, is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in business administration. The program is tailored to meet the needs of working professionals and is delivered entirely online.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the MBA degree, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding and application of the foundational frameworks and tools of all business disciplines, including accounting, finance, marketing, operations management, organizational behavior, and strategic management.
- Develop, evaluate, and implement complex business strategies and operational solutions holistically, integrating management principles across the functional areas.
- Function effectively in a team setting both as a leader and a contributor.
Requirements for the MBA Degree, Online Program
The MBA degree is a non-thesis master's degree. Students must complete:
- A minimum of 54 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
- A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate-level study (graduate semester credit hours, coursework at the 500-level or above).
- A minimum of 24 graduate semester credit hours must be taken at Rice University.
- A minimum of 24 graduate semester credit hours must be taken in standard or traditional courses (with a course type of lecture, seminar, laboratory, lecture/laboratory).
- A maximum of 2 courses (6 graduate semester credit hours) from transfer credit.
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.00 or higher in all Rice coursework.
- A minimum program GPA of 3.00 or higher in all Rice coursework that satisfies requirements for the non-thesis master's degree with a minimum grade of C (2.00 grade points) in each course.
MBA Degree, Online Program Curriculum
The MBA degree, online program, consists of a 24-month curriculum generally earned over eight consecutive terms (3-month quadmesters) over a two-year period. The program includes:
- Core Requirements:
- MGMT 501: Financial Accounting
- MGMT 502: Managerial Accounting
- MGMT 510: Organizational Behavior
- MGMT 511: Leadership
- MGMT 521: Business Law
- MGMT 531: New Enterprises
- MGMT 540: Managerial Economics
- MGMT 541: Economic Environment of Business
- MGMT 543: Finance
- MGMT 561: Business-Government Relations
- MGMT 562: Corporate Social Responsibility
- MGMT 570: Competitive and Industry Analysis
- MGMT 571: Strategy Formulation and Implementation
- MGMT 574: Operations Management
- MGMT 580: Marketing
- MGMT 592: Strategic Business Communications
- MGMT 593: Data Analysis
- MGMT 627: Enterprise Acquisition
- Residential Intensive Learning Experiences:
- MGMT 513: Negotiations ILE 1
- MGMT 514: Organizational Change ILE 1
- Global Field Experience:
- MGMT 515: Global Field Experience
- Capstone:
- MGMT 598: Capstone Consulting Project
- Elective Requirements:
- Select an additional 13.5 credit hours from elective course offerings
Policies for the MBA Degree, Online Program
Admission Requirements
Admission to the MBA degree program is open to applicants regardless of their undergraduate major, but the program is highly selective and admission is limited to those who perform with distinction as reflected across all areas of the application. A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited undergraduate institution is required.
Academic and Professional Standards
Students must meet both academic and professional standards to continue academic work and to graduate. A minimum overall grade point average of 3.00 (B) is required for graduation, as well as a 3.00 GPA in all courses taken as an MBA student.
Leave of Absence (LOA) Policy
Continuous enrollment between admission and the completion of the degree is the norm. In some cases, however, circumstances may compel a student to interrupt their studies temporarily. The Jones Graduate School of Business may grant students in the MBA Degree, Online Program a leave of absence for up to four quadmesters (one year).
Withdrawal Policy
A Jones Graduate School of Business student, participating in any offered program, may voluntarily withdraw from school at any time. Upon withdrawal, Rice University applies a sliding scale to tuition.
Grade Appeal Process
Once a course grade has been assigned by an instructor, it is generally considered final and is rarely changed for any reason. Student appeals shall be limited to calculation errors or an alleged failure of the instructor to follow the grading norms set forth in the course syllabus.
Class Attendance Policy
Students are expected to be in class on the first day of each term. In Elective coursework, the instructor reserves the right to exclude from their course a student who is absent from the first scheduled class meeting.
MBA Course Registration Policy and Procedures
Due to the unique term schedule followed by the Jones Graduate School of Business MBA programs, MBA students have special procedures they must follow to make schedule changes.
Financial Aid
Jones Graduate School of Business scholarships are awarded at the point of admission and are based on the merit of the application. Financial assistance is generally awarded for one academic year at a time.
Transfer Credit
For Rice University's policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. Requests for transfer credit must be approved for Rice equivalency by the appropriate academic department offering the Rice equivalent course and by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS).
Opportunities for the MBA Degree, Online Program
Independent Study
Independent study projects are for academic credit, not for hire. Students may not earn credit for paid work. The goal of independent study projects is to advance or deepen a student's knowledge or competency in a business discipline or activity.
Additional Information
For additional information, please refer to the Jones Graduate School of Business website.