This is an archived copy of the 2020-21 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.utexas.edu/.

Degree Requirements

The objective of each of the programs described below is to develop influential business leaders who are able to assume high-level responsibilities in the rapidly changing national and international environment of the public and private sectors. The curriculum is designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity; to develop analytical and research ability; and to give students the ability to make sound managerial decisions, to plan, organize, and control activities in order to achieve established goals, and to manage people, organizations, and change. Students are expected to acquire the concepts, tools, and understanding to operate in and contribute successfully to new economic environments. Such environments are characterized by rapid technological change, global competition, and information-rich or information-deficient management decisions. Each program is designed to accommodate students with baccalaureate degrees in a wide variety of fields. Each affords the student a wide range of choices to complete a course of advanced study that integrates developments, theory, and applications involved in the exercise of executive and managerial administrative responsibilities.

Full-Time Program

The full-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a two-year program taught in Austin. Students enter the program in the fall and graduate at the end of the second spring semester. At least 15 hours of coursework are required each semester. A one-hour career management course is required in the first semester.

The program is 62 semester hours of coursework. Twenty-three hours are provided by required core courses. Students are required to take certain core courses in an assigned cohort.

During the first semester of the program, students are organized into four cohorts of approximately 65 members. The students in each cohort take most core courses together. Within the cohort and in particular courses, students may be assigned to four or five-person study groups to encourage group problem solving and teamwork and the development of leadership skills.

At least 37 semester hours of approved graduate electives are required. The student may concentrate the elective coursework within a discipline, such as marketing, by choosing from among 22 available tracks of elective coursework;1 each concentration consists of a sequence of courses that offers strong preparation for a particular career path. The track selected by a student determines whether their degree program is Business Administration, Business Administration-Quantitative Methods or Business Administration-Financial Mathematics.1 The latter of these programs are classified as STEM Designated Degree Programs by the Department of Homeland Security for the purposes of the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension.1 Students are not required to choose a concentration.

Further information about prerequisites, requirements, and concentrations is available from the MBA Program Office, online and by e-mail.

Weekend and Evening Programs in Austin

A carefully planned program of continuing education and development for executives is essential in today’s dynamic business environment. The following programs provide this graduate business education for early-career to senior managers while permitting them to continue their careers.

Executive MBA. The executive MBA program is a twenty-one-month program designed to meet the needs of academically qualified mid-career professionals who wish to pursue an MBA degree while continuing to carry the full responsibilities of their jobs. Classes are held on alternate Fridays and Saturdays. This rigorous and demanding program requires a serious commitment from both the student and the student’s employer. All students must complete 36 semester hours of required coursework and six hours of electives.

Prospective students with at least eight years of work experience are preferred. The average work experience of currently enrolled students exceeds 12 years. A brochure describing the program is available from the MBA Program Office. Information is also available online and by e-mail.

Evening MBA. This two-and-one-half year graduate business program is designed for working professionals who choose to work while pursuing the MBA. Classes are held on Monday and Tuesday evenings, from 6:00 pm - 9:15 pm. Occasional weekend classes are scheduled in order to meet minimum contact hour requirements. Students attend classes in the fall, spring, and summer, and must complete 48 semester hours of coursework. The evening MBA program is designed to help high-potential managers become global business leaders.

Prospective students should have at least two years of work or professional experience. The average work experience of currently enrolled students is nearly six years. A brochure describing the program is available from the MBA Program Office. Information is also available online.

Weekend Programs Outside Austin

MBA at Houston and MBA at Dallas-Fort Worth. These rigorous, two-year graduate business programs are designed for managers and professionals who wish to pursue an MBA degree outside normal working hours. Classes are held Friday evenings from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on alternate weekends. Occasional three-day (Friday through Sunday) class weekends will be scheduled in order to meet minimum contact hour requirements. Classes held in Dallas meet at The Centrum building located in Uptown Dallas. Classes held in Houston meet at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Students must complete 48 semester hours of coursework. In addition, the programs include two one-week intensive seminars in Austin and a week-long international trip.

The high academic standards and dedicated faculty are the same as in the full-time MBA program. Information about the Houston program and the Dallas-Fort Worth program are available online.

Executive MBA at Mexico City. This two-year program for executives is taught by the McCombs School of Business. To earn this MBA degree, students complete 42 semester hours of coursework. Classes meet Friday evenings and all day Saturday, usually on alternate weekends.

Dual Degree Programs

The McCombs School of Business offers the following dual degree programs in cooperation with other divisions of the University. More information is available from the graduate adviser in each program.

Field(s) of Study Degree(s)
AdvertisingMaster of Arts
Asian studiesMaster of Arts
Communication studiesMaster of Arts
Energy and earth resources Master of Science or Master of Arts
Global policy studiesMaster of Global Policy Studies
JournalismMaster of Arts
Journalism and media*Master of Arts
* Journalism and media added fall 2020.
Latin American studiesMaster of Arts
LawDoctor of Jurisprudence
Mechanical engineering, with a concentration in manufacturing and decision systems engineeringMaster of Science in Engineering
MedicineDoctor of Medicine
Middle Eastern studiesMaster of Arts
Public affairsMaster of Public Affairs
Radio-television-filmMaster of Arts
Russian, East European, and Eurasian studiesMaster of Arts
Social workMaster of Science in Social Work

Master of Business Administration/Doctor of Medicine

In partnership with the Dell Medical School, Business Administration offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) to medical students as part of the medical school curriculum third year requirement for experience in Innovation, Leadership, and Discovery. The MBA/MD program is one of several dual-degree programs from which medical students can choose in their third year.  Through waivers of coursework that is common to both degrees, the total number of hours required to earn both degrees through the dual-degree arrangement is decreased by 21 credit hours. Applicants to the dual-degree program are not required to submit GMAT scores with their application materials. The requirements and policies associated with the dual-degree program are published in the Medical School Catalog. More information is available from the graduate adviser in Business Administration. 

Double Degree Programs

Students interested in a Master of Business Administration degree with an international focus may seek admission to the Double Degree Program. This program allows students in the full-time MBA program to take a substantial part of their coursework at a partner school outside the United States. The student must complete at least thirty-seven semester hours of graduate coursework in residence at the McCombs School and must also fulfill the partner school’s requirements for coursework in residence. Students who complete the program earn both the MBA from the University and the equivalent degree from the partner school.

Applicants must be proficient in English and must meet the language requirements of the partner school. The McCombs School offers this program in cooperation with the Chinese University of Hong Kong; Escuela de Administración de Negocios para Graduados, Lima, Peru; Fundação Getúlio Vargas, São Paulo, Brazil; Guanghua School of Management, Bejing, China; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago; WHU—Koblenz Otto Beisheim School of Management, Vallendar, Germany; and various campuses of the Instituto Technológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Mexico. Additional partner schools may be added in the future. Further information on the Double Degree Program is published online.