A one calendar year, full-time, 36 credit MBA program geared primarily toward RWU undergraduates who are business majors or minors, which is designed to provide young leaders with between 0-2 years of professional work experience with the following:
- Knowledge that allows them to better interpret the complexities of the internal and external business environment
- Enhanced decision-making skills
- Stronger leadership skills
- The ability to analyze data using interdisciplinary, sophisticated approaches
- Communication skills appropriate to leadership in the business environment
Undergraduate to Graduate +1 Options
Students earning their Bachelor’s degrees at Roger Williams University should complete at least one graduate level MBA course in their final undergraduate year.
- 3 + 1 MBA Option: Students, by accelerating their undergraduate work, have the option of the 3 + 1 MBA option in which they earn their Bachelor’s degree in 3 years and their MBA degree at the conclusion of their 4th year at the University.
- 4 + 1 MBA Option: Students in the 4 + 1 option complete their Bachelor’s degree within 4 years and their MBA degree at the conclusion of their 5th year at the University.
Academic Program
A total of 36 credits is required to complete the MBA. This includes a mandatory internship as well as an international experience and two electives. For those accepted as RWU seniors, three graduate credits taken in the senior year under academic advisement would count toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree, providing that they have a free elective slot available for this purpose. Elective courses in the program will be available through the Gabelli School as well as through the other professional schools at Roger Williams University, inclusive of the School of Justice Studies and the School of Law, in topics such as leadership, public administration, intellectual property and financial regulation.
In addition to the for-credit coursework in the MBA program, students must complete a sequence of Roger’s Review during the summer between the undergraduate senior year and commencement of the MBA program. Roger’s Review is intended to provide students with a review of specific areas within business in order to fully prepare them to engage in the MBA program. The planned sequence of coverages includes basic elements of Excel, accounting, finance, and economics. The review sequence is a non-credit offering and students will utilize many of these tools and materials throughout the MBA program. Topics covered will include the following:
- Excel Basics
- Accounting Statements-Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flows
- Basic Economics Review-National economy, fiscal and monetary policy and the Federal Reserve system
- Basic Finance Review-Use of Time Value of Money: FV Function/PV Function
Roger’s Review will be offered over a period of several days in the late summer and combined with an MBA orientation. All students must complete the orientation and the non-credit Roger’s Review sequence in order to start the full MBA in the fall. The sequence is only open to students who have been accepted to the MBA program.
Applying to the Master of Business Administration Program
Students should possess a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 to apply. Depending on level of academic performance, students may be asked to take the GMAT or GRE in order to strengthen their case for admission. Each application will be reviewed using a portfolio approach, i.e. all parts of the application will be considered inclusive of grades and trend of grades, letters of recommendation, the personal statement and other information that candidates for admission may wish to submit. Applications are accepted for fall start only.
To apply, applicants must submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admission:
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate records
- Personal statement (two double-spaced pages maximum) describing the purpose for obtaining the MBA
- Two letters of recommendation attesting to academic accomplishments and potential to succeed in graduate school
- Completed application form accompanied by the application fee
