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

MBA Degree

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, 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.

MBA Degree, Professional Program (Weekend)

MBA degree is a non-thesis master's degree. For general university requirements, please see Non-Thesis Master's Degrees. For additional requirements, regulations, and procedures for all graduate programs, . Jones Graduate School of Business offers MBA Professional Program in three formats. These programs cover same content, but are offered at different times and over different periods.  

Students choose a program based on lifestyle preference and professional and personal commitments. current three formats are:

• MBA Professional Program, Evening, or
• MBA Professional Program, Evening Extended, or 
• MBA Professional Program, Weekend

MBA Professional Program, Weekend

MBA Professional Program, Weekend, consists of a 22-month, lock-step curriculum delivered in four consecutive semesters over a two-year period. Students pursuing MBA Professional Program, Weekend, 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 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 minimum residency enrollment of one fall or spring semester of full-time graduate study at Rice University.
• A maximum of 2 courses (6 graduate semester credit hours) from transfer credit. For additional departmental guidelines regarding transfer credit, see the Policies tab.
• A Global Field Experience.
• 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 non-thesis master’s degree with a minimum grade of C (2.00 grade points) in each course. 

courses listed below satisfy this degree program. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of program's academic advisor, or where applicable, department or program's Director of Graduate Studies. Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by department or program's Official Certifier. Additionally, these must be approved by Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document courses to be taken.

The English Language Proficiency Requirement may be waived for an international student who received a degree from an institution in which English is the official language of communication. Contact the admitting program for more information.

The following language proficiency tests are accepted by Rice graduate programs and will be used to assess English language proficiency. Please note the below scores are the minimum requirement, though some program requirements will be higher.

• The TOEFL IBT Home. A minimum score of 90 is required
• IELTS Indicator. A minimum score of 7 is required.
• Duolingo. A minimum score of 115 is required.

1. Find your graduate program(s) of interest and submit an interest form. Click here for a listing of schools and departments.
2. Research the cost of study and available financial support. Qualified doctoral students often receive tuition waivers and a generous stipend.
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