Business Administration (MBA)
The AACSB-accredited Master of Business Administration program offers convenient and time-efficient ways to earn an MBA. In just one year, you will gain the strategic thinking, problem solving, analytical and leadership skills to enable you to excel in our competitive business environment. The program combines small, highly interactive classes at our state-of-the-art Metro Campus in Providence with a required internship and international experience to ensure inclusion of practical real-world experience. A joint JD/MBA program option is also available.
Format
On Campus (Providence)
Schedule
Daytime; Tuesday-Thursday
Credits Required
36
Time Commitment
One year
Cost
Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026
$1,176/credit
Fees
2025-2026 Academic Year
$490/semester (full-time students)
Ways to Save
Free course senior year (RWU and local students)
Limited scholarships
Apply By
Fall Deadlines: March 1 (Priority), April 1 (Regular), August 15 (Final)
Spring Deadlines: November 1 (Priority), December 15 (Regular), January 6 (Final)
Summer Deadlines: March 1 (Priority), April 1 (Regular), April 15 (Final)
Upcoming Events
Getting the International Business Experience of a Lifetime
One after another, the Master of Business Administration students, fresh off a plane from Greece, said their week serving as consultants to four Greek companies was nothing less than a life-changing experience that has prepared them like no other to be competitive in the global business world.
Read about MBA Students in GreeceKey Features of the Master of Business Administration Program
- Complete in just one year - Students complete the MBA program in one calendar year, including the internship and study abroad experience, allowing them to enter the workforce sooner than many programs.
- Internationally accredited - The RWU Gabelli School of Business and the MBA program are fully accredited by , The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accreditation is a designation earned by less than five percent of business schools worldwide.
- Stand Out with an Embedded Graduate Certificate – Students have the opportunity to earn a graduate certificate in Real Estate or Construction Management—embedded within the MBA curriculum—at no additional cost or coursework, providing a valuable credential to help differentiate themselves in the job market.
- Required internship - A hallmark of the RWU MBA is the opportunity to gain industry experience while pursuing the program with a required internship.
- International experience - Each spring break, students travel to a prominent international business destination to learn about culture, regional business practices, major corporations, and more.
- Study in Providence - The MBA program is offered at our state-of-the-art Metro Campus in Providence, RI, located right in the heart of one of the busiest business hubs in the state.
Accelerated +1 Options
Our accelerated options allow students to complete both undergraduate Business and graduate MBA degrees in four or five years.
3 + 1 MBA
Students, by accelerating their undergraduate work, earn their Bachelor’s degree in three years and their MBA degree at the conclusion of their fourth year at the University. RWU Students should apply for the semester following their undergraduate graduation date (if you graduate from undergrad May 2025, apply for the Fall 2025 term) and should have all application materials completed during the Fall semester of their 2nd year of undergraduate study.
4 + 1 MBA
Students in the 4 + 1 option complete their Bachelor’s degree within four years and their MBA degree at the conclusion of their fifth year at the University. RWU Students should apply for the semester following their undergraduate graduation date (if you graduate from undergrad May 2025, apply for the Fall 2025 term) and should have all application materials completed during the Fall semester of their 3nd year of undergraduate study.
International Experience
The International Experience (IE) in the Gabelli School MBA program is intended to provide students with exposure to other cultures and individuals and to develop a broader appreciation of what it means to better understand and build working relationships with individuals whose cultures and business practices may differ greatly from those in the U.S.
This is a distinctive feature of the GSB MBA program and it is expected that all students will participate. Recent visits abroad have included those to organizations such as Microsoft, FM Global, DHL, Flextronics, Daimler, Mazars and the U.S. Embassy. The travel portion of the course usually ranges from eight to ten days.
The program is funded by a U.S. Department of Education Business and International Education Program grant in the amount of $184,094, with a matching amount provided from non-federal sources.
In just one year, you will gain the strategic thinking, problem solving, analytical and leadership skills to enable you to excel in our competitive business environment. The MBA program combines small, highly interactive classes in key business disciplines at our state-of-the-art Metro Campus in Providence with a required internship and international study to ensure inclusion of practical real-world experience, both at home and on the global stage.
Course Schedule
Spring Semester (Final Semester of Undergrad): 3 Credits
Ethical Leadership of Organizations (3 credits)
(Offered Online)
Summer Term: 3 Credits
Internship (3 credits)**
Roger’s Review workshop – 3-4 days in August
Fall Semester (Graduate): 15-18 Credits
Financial and Managerial Accounting (3 credits)
Data Analytics (3 credits)
Managerial Economics (3 credits)
Decisions in Marketing Management (3 credits)
Elective (3 credits)
*Ethical Leadership of Organizations (3 credits)
Spring Semester (Graduate): 15 Credits
Corporate Finance (3 credits)
Global Business (3 credits)
Strategic Management (3 credits)
International Experience (3 credits)
Elective (3 credits)
* Only required if students did not complete the Ethical Leadership of Organizations course previously.
** May be completed in alternative semesters, i.e. summer between senior year and MBA year; in January of MBA year; or summer after completion of MBA coursework.
Competency Goal 1. Decision Making Competence
MBA students will have a comprehensive understanding of cross-functional business concepts and be able to synthesize and apply these ideas to make sound business decisions.
Objective 1: students will apply relevant business frameworks/strategies to make effective decisions.
Competency Goal 2. Responsible Leadership Competence
MBA students will understand the opportunities, challenges, and obligations existing at the intersection of business and society and enact leadership behaviors that enhance the common good.
Objective 1: students will develop leadership strategies that seek to maximize positive societal impact and firm value.
Competency Goal 3. Data Analysis and Visualization Competency.
MBA students will understand contemporary approaches to data analytics and visualization and be able to develop effective business insights through the analysis and visualization of complex data sets.
Objective 1: Students will apply diverse empirical approaches to analyze complex data sets.
Objective 2: Students will create effective visualizations from the analysis of complex data sets.
Competency Goal 4. Managerial Communication Competence
Students will understand and apply best practices in managerial communication across multiple functions of business.
Objective 1: Students will create functionally-specific professional documents.
Objective 2: Students will create and deliver presentations professionally.
Competency Goal 5. Global Management Competence
MBA students will understand the complexities of the 21st century global business environments and be able to manage effectively across cultural and economic borders.
Objective 1: Students will develop effective global business strategies.
Objective 2: Students will demonstrate a globally inclusive managerial mindset.
Each year, MBA students take advantage of a study abroad experience over Spring Break. The required experience provides students with an opportunity to visit corporations in major international destinations, learn about foreign business practices and regulations, and immerse themselves in local culture.
Athens, Greece - April 2023
Athens, Greece - April 2022
Beijing, China - March 2019
Panama City, Panama - March 2018
Our students benefit from competitive internship placements and are employed at top organizations throughout the U.S. Here is a sample of where our students have interned and found employment:
Internship Placements
AAA Northeast
Chase Corporation
Chikmedia
Dell EMC
Fidelity Investments
Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival
Johnson & Johnson
ParsonsKellogg
Pawtucket Red Sox
Rhodes Pharmaceuticals
Third Spoon Creative
Times Union Center (Albany, NY)
U.S. Sailing
WaterFire Providence
Employers
Citrin Cooperman
Datadog
Dow Jones
Ernst & Young
Forrester
Hasbro
Health and Wellness Partners
Herff Jones
KPMG US
Macy's
NASA
Rolf C. Hagen Corp.
The Walt Disney Company
Offered with the RWU School of Law.
Increasingly, individuals are called upon to understand multiple specialized fields that are inclusive of law and business. Familiarity with business concepts is particularly important for those who seek careers in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions and intellectual property, among others. Drawing on the strengths of the É«ÇéÂÛ̳ School of Law as well as the Mario J. Gabelli School of Business, RWU offers a concentrated joint degree program for students interested in pursuing a Juris Doctor degree and a Master of Business Administration degree. The dual degree program allows students to complete the Juris Doctor (JD) and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in an accelerated period of study – within four years, instead of the typical five years.
The MBA program combines classes in core business disciplines at our state-of-the-art Metro Campus in Providence with a required internship and international study to give you practical, real-world experience both at home and on the global stage. With strong connections to the legal and judiciary fields in the heart of Providence, the juris doctor program offers the highest-quality JD degree with classes at the RWU School of Law on our Bristol campus.
To earn the JD/MBA degree students must complete 78 credits at the School of Law and 24 graduate credits in the Gabelli School of Business. The School of Law and the Gabelli School of Business will each accept 12 transfer credits from the other school. The effect of these credit transfers between the School of Law and the School of Business will reduce the overall time needed to complete both degrees from five years to four years or less, assuming continuous, full-time study.
How to Apply
Applicants applying for the Joint JD/MBA degree must be in good standing at the end of their first year of study in the RWU School of Law. Prior to starting the application through the RWU Office of Graduate Admissions, students should meet with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, . Applications should be submitted sufficiently in advance of the application deadline to assure adequate processing time at both Schools. Student transcripts will be obtained from the School of Law. Applicants must apply to and earn acceptance into both programs separately. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis and using a portfolio approach, wherein all aspects of the application are considered by the admission committee in the Gabelli School of Business.
Apply to the J.D./M.B.A Online
Required School of Business courses that are transferable to the Law School:
ECON550 Managerial Economics (3 Credits)
MGMT510 Data Analytics for Business (3 Credits)
FNCE 550 Corporate Finance (3 Credits)
MGMT599 Strategic Management (3 Credits)
Remaining required School of Business courses to earn MBA:
MGMT520 Ethical Leadership of Organizations (3 Credits)
ACCTG505 Financial and Managerial Accounting (3 Credits)
MRKT520 Decisions in Marketing Management (3 Credits)
IB540 Global Business (3 Credits)
Up to a total of 12 credits of the below Law School courses listed below are transferable to the Business School:
LAW 784 Bankruptcy*
LAW 635 Business Associations
LAW 729 Civil Rights
LSM 888 Climate Change Law and Policy*
LAW 604 Contracts I
LAW 831 Corporate Compliance and Governance
LAW 819 Employment Discrimination
LAW 820 Employment Law
LAW 647 Federal Income Tax
LAW 720 Health Law and Policy*
LAW 788 Insurance Law
LAW 740 Intellectual Property
LAW 792 International Business Transactions
LAW 770 International Law*
LAW 822 Labor Law
LAW 793 Marine Pollution*
LAW 809 Mergers and Acquisitions
LAW 733 Mediation
LAW 736 Negotiation
LSM 744 Patent Law*
LAW 653 Secured Transactions
LAW 832 Securities Regulation
LAW 756 Transactional Lawyering and Contract Drafting*
(*2 Credit Course)
Joint degree students must also take Roger’s Review in the summer prior to the full matriculation in the MBA Roger’s Review provides a comprehensive overview of functional subjects necessary to MBA course work in fields that include accounting, finance, economics and analytics.
For a full listing of juris doctor courses, visit the site.
Graduate Certificate Offerings
Real Estate Graduate Certificate
Adding a Real Estate Certificate to your MBA at RWU can significantly enhance your professional profile by equipping you with specialized knowledge and skills in a rapidly growing industry. Gain multidisciplinary expertise, build a strong professional network, and enhance your career opportunities without any additional coursework needed!
Certificate Curriculum:
*REAL 501 - Real Estate, Equity, and Environment
*REAL 543 - Project Development and Finance
ACCTG 505 - Financial and Managerial Accounting
ECON 550 - Managerial Economics
* Real Estate courses would be embedded into the MBA program as electives.
Construction Management Graduate Certificate
The rapid growth in the field of Construction Management has been driven by factors such as urban development, infrastructure projects, and the increasing complexity of construction projects.By adding a Construction Management Certificate to your MBA, you position yourself to meet the demands of this expanding industry!
Certificate Curriculum:
*CNST 500 - Fundamentals of Construction Management
*CNST 505 - Construction Business Management & Development
MGMT 524 - Ethical Leadership of Organizations
MRKT 520 - Decisions in Marketing Management
* Construction Management courses would be embedded into the MBA program as electives.
MBA Data Analytics Concentration
For more information on this program, please visit our Data Analytics Webpage! *This program is a 39-credit program that requires students to take an additional class beyond the MBA requirements.
How to Apply
Applicants adding a graduate certificate to their MBA should indicate their chosen certificate on the Application Form. (RWU Enrollment Questions Section)
Application Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Master of Business Administration degree program, applicants must hold an earned Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university (4+1 students must be enrolled and in good standing in an undergraduate program.)
To apply, submit the following:
- Completed application form and $50 application fee. An application fee is not required for RWU students.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework. The Office of Graduate Admission will obtain transcripts on behalf of RWU students.
- Letter of Intent (no more than two double-spaced pages) describing your interest in the MBA program, career goals, and how you can positively contribute to the graduate program at É«ÇéÂÛ̳
- Two (2) letters of recommendation attesting to your potential to succeed in graduate school
- If your first language is not English, an official report of TOEFL or IELTS results
The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is not required for admission. Applicants with an overall GPA below 3.0 are strongly encouraged to take either the GRE or MAT. Applicants for the Joint M.S./J.D. must apply separately to the School of Law, and must submit an LSAT score. International applicants should also read additional requirements for non-U.S. residents.
Each application will be reviewed using a portfolio approach - all parts of the application will be considered, inclusive of grades and trend of grades, letters of recommendation, the letter of intent, and other information that candidates for admission may wish to submit.
Documents should be submitted via email to gradadmit@rwu.edu. Any official documents that must be mailed (i.e. transcripts) should be sent directly to:
Office of Graduate Admission
1 Old Ferry Rd.
Bristol, RI 02809
Have questions about the application process? Visit the from the Office of Graduate Admission.
Meet some of our faculty
Dr. Catherine Hall
Director Assurance of Learning and Special Projects and Lecturer in Management
Dr. Alexander Knights
Associate Professor of Management
Dr. Jason Oliver
Professor of Marketing
Dr. Mark Wu
Associate Professor of Finance
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