Rockhurst University | Learning, Leadership and Service in the Jesuit Tradition

How many credit hours are required for an MBA in Health Care Leadership, and how is it integrated into my education as a physical therapist?
The MBA in health care leadership is a 48 credit-hour degree.  DPT/MBA dual degree students begin taking MBA courses during the second year of the DPT curriculum. From this point forward, students take courses in both the DPT and MBA curricula. Students complete the DPT degree requirements within 3.5 years, and may begin clinical practice at that point as they take the few remaining MBA courses on a part-time basis around their clinical work schedules. 

Students in the DPT/MBA program walk across the graduation stage with their fellow DPT graduates. These students receive their Rockhurst MBA diploma upon completion of the MBA courses, and they may walk across the graduation stage again at that time.

How is the MBA integrated into my physical therapy school studies?
The majority of MBA coursework is completed during summers beginning the third and fourth years of the DPT curriculum. Students also complete nine credit hours of MBA coursework during the fall of the fourth year.

How can I be taking classes during the fall semester of fourth year when I have my clinical rotations?
Rockhurst has agreements with many clinical internship sites which allow students to complete their clinical rotations on a modified weekly schedule. This enables students to attend MBA courses on our campus. Rockhurst carefully coordinates the scheduling of clinical internships and MBA classes to enable students to complete both degrees simultaneously.

Do I lose all my weekends and vacation time if I decide to "dual?"  
No. The vast majority of MBA classes are scheduled during the week. We also work to schedule at least one week of vacation from MBA classes at other points in the curriculum.

Are applicants required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)? 
No. Rockhurst students applying to the MBA in health care leadership program are not required to take the GMAT. You are required, however, to have an official set of GRE scores and an official set of all college and graduate school transcripts submitted. These materials are submitted – using university school code 6611 and PT Program Code 0619 – during application to the entry-level DPT program. These GRE scores are subsequently used in the application process for the DPT/MBA dual degree program. 

How much is tuition? To whom and when do DPT/MBA students make their tuition payments? 
For the Class of 2014, tuition for the full MBA in health care leadership is $30,750. Tuition is inclusive of all books, supplies, university fees, field trips, instructional technology (including an iPad), and student learning materials. You should expect no additional out-of-pocket expenses.

The specifics for tuition and fees for the DPT/MBA program are listed directly below:

• Tuition is currently $490.20 per credit hour
• DPT Student Direct Fees are allocated as follows:
  • First semester enrolled:  $1000 plus $100 per credit hour enrolled for that semester
  • Subsequent semesters:  $100 per credit hour enrolled

Is financial aid available? 
Financial aid for both your DPT and MBA degrees are coordinated by Rockhurst’s Financial Aid Office. Contact Ms. Angela Carlin, Rockhurst Director of Financial Aid at (816) 501-4600 to set up an appointment to explore your financial aid options. Ms. Carlin will ensure that all MBA-related financial aid decisions are coordinated with your physical therapy school financial aid plan.

What if I've never taken a business course before? 
Most dual-degree students have never taken business courses before enrolling in the MBA. The MBA curriculum is designed with this in mind.

How many students have enrolled in the DO/MBA or the DPT/MBA dual degree programs offered at Rockhurst?
Since its inception in 2001, over 250 students have enrolled in the DO/MBA Dual Degree program. We’re currently enrolling the inaugural class for the DPT/MBA dual degree program.

May I contact some current DO/MBA Dual Degree students? 
Contact the health care leadership program assistant at 816-501-4HCL or hcl@rockhurst.edu. She can put you in touch with current students.

Where are MBA in health care leadership classes held? 
MBA classes are held on the main Rockhurst University campus in Conway Hall, home of the Helzberg School of Management.

What computer equipment will I need for my MBA? 
Students are issued an iPad for their use through the duration of the program. These will be used in most on-campus classes. The entire Rockhurst University campus is fully wireless-enabled.

I notice that some of the MBA classes are scheduled during the same terms as physical therapy school classes. How is that possible? 
We schedule a three-credit hour course that meets one night per week from January through mid-April during the spring of the second year in the DPT program. In addition, we schedule a three-credit hour course that spans through both the fall and spring terms of the third year in the DPT program. This course blends in-class with online work, and ends in mid-April to ensure no conflict with comprehensive exams and other elements of the DPT curriculum. The in-class meetings are held once each month. Past and current students have indicated this scheduling does not interfere with medical school studies or board preparation.

What about the faculty? Do they have a background in health care? 
Rockhurst health care leadership faculty blend professional expertise with academic experience. We strongly encourage you to find out more about our superb faculty.

How do I apply to the MBA in Health Care Leadership?
Students interested in admission to Rockhurst’s DPT/MBA program apply in the fall of their second year of the DPT program. The applicant must submit the following materials to be considered:

• Letter of interest and statement of qualifications
• Minimum cumulative GPA in the DPT curriculum of 3.40 or higher
• Combined verbal and quantitative score on the GRE of at least 900 (200-800 Scale) or 288 (130-170 Scale)

What is the deadline for applications?
We will close the window for initial applications for the DPT/MBA Class of 2014 on November 1, 2012.

How many applicants will be accepted into the DPT/MBA Class of 2014?
Up to 35 dual-degree students between the DO/MBA and DPT/MBA programs will be accepted for the Class of 2014.

*Requires Acrobat Reader