Program Overview

Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree, Professional Program (Weekend)

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree, Professional Program (Weekend) is a 22-month, lock-step curriculum delivered in four consecutive semesters over a two-year period. This program is designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers while continuing to work.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the MBA degree, students will be able to:

1. 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.
2. Develop, evaluate, and implement complex business strategies and operational solutions holistically, integrating management principles across the functional areas.
3. Function effectively in a team setting both as a leader and a contributor.

Requirements for the MBA Degree, Professional Program (Weekend)

• 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) is required.
• 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 minimum residency enrollment of four fall or spring semesters of full-time graduate study at Rice University is required.
• A maximum of 2 courses (6 graduate semester credit hours) from transfer credit is allowed.
• A Global Field Experience is required.
• A minimum overall GPA of 3.00 or higher in all Rice coursework is required.
• 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 is required.

Course Requirements

The following courses are required for the MBA Degree, Professional Program (Weekend):

• Core Requirements:
  • MGMW 500: PMBA LAUNCH 2 (1.5 credit hours)
  • MGMW 501: FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING (3 credit hours)
  • MGMW 502: MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING (1.5 credit hours)
  • MGMW 510: ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR (1.5 credit hours)
  • MGMW 511: ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE 2 (0.75 credit hours)
  • MGMW 540: MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS (1.5 credit hours)
  • MGMW 543: FINANCE (3 credit hours)
  • MGMW 560: CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 2 (0.75 credit hours)
  • MGMW 570: COMPETITIVE STRATEGY (1.5 credit hours)
  • MGMW 571: STRATEGY FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION (1.5 credit hours)
  • MGMW 574: OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (1.5 credit hours)
  • MGMW 580: MARKETING (3 credit hours)
  • MGMW 594: STRATEGIC BUSINESS COMMUNICATION I 2 (0.75 credit hours)
  • MGMW 595: DATA ANALYSIS (3 credit hours)
  • MGMW 596: STRATEGIC BUSINESS COMMUNICATION II 2 (0.75 credit hours)
  • MGMW 706: LEADERSHIP (1.5 credit hours)
  • MGMW 709: NEGOTIATIONS 2 (1.5 credit hours)
  • MGMW 798: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT SIMULATION (1.5 credit hours)
• Required Lab Experience:
  • Select 1 course (3 credit hours) from the following:
    • MGMP 799: STRATEGY CONSULTING LAB
    • MGMT 735: MARKETING LAB
    • MGMT 752: SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT LAB
    • MGMT 753: OPERATIONS LAB: HEALTH CARE
    • MGMT 754: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS LAB
    • MGMT 761: E-LAB: ENTERPRISE ACQUISITION
    • MGMT 762: E-LAB: NEW ENTERPRISE
    • MGMT 773: THE ENERGY TRANSITION LAB
    • MGMT 822: DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN BUSINESS LAB
• Global Field Experience Requirement:
  • MGMP 789: GLOBAL FIELD EXPERIENCE 3 (3 credit hours)
• Custom Core Course:
  • MGMT 541: ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS (1.5 credit hours)
  • or MGMT 561: BUSINESS-GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
• Elective Requirements:
  • Select an additional 16.5 credit hours from departmental (MGMP or MGMT) course offerings at the 500-level or above.

Areas of Specialization

The Rice MBA program at the Jones Graduate School of Business offers ten areas of specialization to students enrolled in the Professional MBA program. These areas of specialization include:

• Accounting
• Energy
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Healthcare
• Leadership
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• Real Estate
• Strategic Management

Policies for the MBA Degree, Professional Program (Weekend)

• Jones Graduate School of Business Student Handbook
• MBA Admission Requirements
• Academic and Professional Standards
• Leave of Absence (LOA) Policy
• Withdrawal Policy
• Grade Appeal Process
• Class Attendance Policy
• MBA Course Registration Policy and Procedures
• Financial Aid
• Transfer Credit
• Recordings and Remote Attendance
• Policy Prohibiting Change of MBA Program Format

Opportunities for the MBA Degree, Professional Program (Weekend)

• Independent Study
  • Minimum Hours Requirement
  • Restrictions
  • Faculty Sponsorship
  • Common Requirements
  • Applications