Business Administration with a Specialization in Entrepreneurship (MBA)
Overview
The UTRGV MBA program is accredited by AACSB International. The Master's of Business Administration (MBA) program provides students with advanced study in a multicultural business environment with the goal of enhancing their business and administrative careers. Specifically, the program is designed to meet the career needs of those who:
- Wish to enhance their professional opportunities in executive or administrative positions in business, industry, government and service industries.
- Seek to broaden their knowledge in the functional business areas in order to increase the effectiveness and self-assurance in their management abilities.
- Are initiating their own business or business career.
- Are preparing to seek admission to a doctoral program.
Scope
The Master's of Business Administration degree is a broad-based 36-hour program designed to empower students with management and analytical decision-making skills needed to function in a changing business environment. The program may be completed within two academic years. Program courses are scheduled during evening hours or online to accommodate the large number of students with full-time day jobs.
The Master's of Business Administration program is open to students who have a bachelor's degree in any discipline. However, MBA foundation courses or their equivalents must be taken prior to enrolling in core courses.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in business administration, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Undergrad GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours. Students with a GPA lower than 3.0 but higher than 2.75 will be considered on a case-by- case basis.
- GMAT Exam with a minimum score 400 or the GRE test with minimum scores of 146 Verbal and 146 Quantitative
- Two letter of recommendations.
- Respond to five short answer questions to demonstrate writing competency and communication skills
A waiver of the GMAT requirement will be granted to applicants who show proof of one of the following:
- Another graduate degree (master’s or doctoral)
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.25 in upper-division courses in the last 60 semester credit hours.
- A waiver may be granted to those students who have more than four years of upper managerial experience in supervisory roles, control of budgets, and decision-making
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Thesis Option
A student may elect to write a thesis in lieu of six hours of graduate elective coursework. The thesis is normally covered in two consecutive semesters.
Academic Standing
Three C Rule
A student who earns three C’s in the MBA Program will be placed on suspension and is ineligible to continue. The student may appeal the suspension to the MBA Committee.
"F" Rule
A student who receives a grade of F will be automatically dismissed from the MBA Program. The student may appeal the dismissal from the MBA Program to the MBA Committee.
Graduate Assistants
The College of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship at UT Rio Grande Valley employs graduate students as teaching or research assistants, depending upon the needs and budget of the college. Assistantships are awarded each semester with renewal based on successful academic and graduate assistant performance. Full-time graduate assistants are required to devote approximately 20 hours per week per semester to their assignment, while maintaining an enrollment in a minimum of nine hours of graduate coursework (six hours during summer sessions). Reappointment of a graduate assistant shall be limited to a maximum of two years.
Applications for assistantship awards are available through the business master’s programs. The completed application must be submitted to the Program Director. New students applying for an assistantship must submit a letter stating that they intend to enroll in a master's program in the College of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship.
Decisions to award graduate assistantships are made on a competitive basis by the Program Director.
Graduate students placed on academic probation or suspension are ineligible to serve as graduate assistants.
This catalog page was updated on 1/7/2021.
Program Requirements
Leveling Courses - 9 Hours
All students entering the MBA Program can comply with the Leveling Courses requirement by completing equivalent undergraduate coursework with a grade of B or higher. Students without the required background must complete the following courses as applicable.
Required Courses - 27 Hours
Entrepreneurship Specialization
Non-Thesis Option - 9 Hours
Thesis Option - 9 Hours
For students interested in writing a thesis, 6 thesis hours are required, and one course from ENTR 6335, ENTR 6341, ENTR 6370.
Choose one from the following:
Total Credit Hours: 36