Master of Business Administration FAQs
What are the program prerequisites?
- Financial Accounting
- Managerial Accounting
- Statistics
- Pre-Calculus
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Essentials of Finance
- MIS
- Principles of Marketing
Students with an undergraduate degree in business most likely fulfill all prerequisite requirements. Students who do not have all the prerequisites may take them at Rockhurst in tandem with MBA courses once all admission requirements are met.
Financial & Managerial Accounting, Statistics & Pre-Calculus, and Macroeconomics & Microeconomics are offered as bundled classes at Rockhurst so instead of taking 2 classes for each requirement, one is taken. For example, Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting are bundled with both topics covered in AC 4500 Principles of Accounting.
I think I will need to take prerequisites. Am I unable to start the program until they are all completed?
No, you may start taking graduate level classes as soon as you are fully accepted into the MBA program. The prerequisite classes may be taken in tandem with your graduate MBA classes.
What GMAT score do I need in order to be admitted?
The GMAT is required for admission unless a terminal graduate degree is held such as a MD, DO, JD etc.
To calculate the needed score on your GMAT, the following formula is used: Undergraduate GPA x 200 + GMAT score = 1050 or greater. Regardless of your undergraduate GPA, a 450 GMAT is required.
What is the total cost of the program?
Starting in the Fall 2012, cost and fees per credit hour is $600. The MBA program is 30 hours so the tuition and credit hour fees are approximately $18,000. An optional parking fee of $125/semester (excluding the summer) and books would be additional costs. See the full list of tuition and fees for the university.
What scholarships and/or grants are available?
Generally speaking, scholarships and grants are not available through Rockhurst University for graduate level students. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA, as financial aid is available to those who qualify, as well as check with their employers regarding tuition reimbursement programs. Resources within the community, like church and educational organizations, may provide academic scholarships to people coming back to school.
What does AACSB Accreditation mean?
AACSB stands for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and is the benchmark of quality for business education worldwide. Earning and maintaining AACSB accreditation is a comprehensive, demanding process. To learn more about AACSB accreditation, visit www.aacsb.edu/accreditation.
Should I take the GMAT before you apply?
You do not need to take the GMAT before applying. In fact, we encourage students to apply as soon as you’re interested in order to start receiving important information on the program.
What concentrations are available?
The concentration areas include: Accounting, Finance, Health Care Management, International Business, and Management. Learn more about the concentrations.
What electives are available?
Electives are available in the following fields: accounting, finance, economics, business, management, healthcare, and marketing. See a sampling of the available electives.
Do you need my transcripts?
A requirement of admission is receipt of official transcripts from all schools attended.
How do I pay for classes? Is Financial Aid available?
Financial Aid is available to those who qualify. We suggest all students complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible.
Rockhurst University also has several payment programs if you are paying for the program without student loans.
When can I meet with an advisor?
Once you’ve completed the application with the Admissions department and sent all official transcripts to Rockhurst you are able to meet with the academic advisor.
I received my bachelor’s degree from Rockhurst. Am I able to use my alumni discount for MBA classes?
With a bachelor’s degree, you are able to take undergraduate classes with the alumni discount but not graduate level classes.
I travel for work and may have to miss class occasionally. Is that ok?
Because of the accelerated 8-week format of most courses, attendance is crucial. Faculty do understand that work and family commitments sometimes require missing a class. Students are expected to let the faculty member know in advance about any absences. If more than one class is missed, the student and/or faculty member may decide it is best to drop the course.
To accommodate our students who do travel for work, one online class a term in available to take. Currently a student may take 2 online core classes during their program.
What does a normal schedule for a working professional look like or how many classes does the average student take each session.
Most students working full-time choose to take 2 courses at a time. Each course meets one day a week. Following this part-time schedule, a student would complete in about 2 years.
Students attending full-time may complete in one year and attend class 3 to 4 nights a week.