The UCA Master of Business Administration (MBA) program provides students with a pathway to faster career advancement, an entry into a new profession, and a number of new, fulfilling opportunities. Our graduates leave equipped with the technical knowledge and critical thinking skills to thrive in the business world.
Our MBA program has been ranked among the most affordable and best in the country. The College of Business at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is accredited through the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the premier business education alliance in the world.
In this FAQ, we will address:
- program costs and timeline
- how to know if you qualify or if you can skip the GRE
- required prerequisites
- tips for applying
- important deadlines
- where to get more information
HOW MUCH DOES THE MBA PROGRAM COST?
Since every student has a different situation, we recommend that you use the Tuition Calculator: www.uca.edu/studentaccounts/calculator.
If you are an international student, you might find this resource helpful also: https://uca.edu/international/cost-of-attendance.
Scholarships are available to help with cost. Learn more about your financial options here (including Graduate Assistantships): www.uca.edu/graduateschool/financial-assistance.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM?
Most people take anywhere from 18-24 months depending on the class load and other life circumstances. Most working professionals take one or two classes at a time. As a graduate student, nine hours is considered full time. It is important to note that taking nine graduate hours is like taking 15 undergraduate hours.
Our entire MBA can be completed online if that is of interest to you, plus we offer traditional day and evening courses. We have two five-week summer terms and then the typical fall and spring terms (16 weeks). You can begin our program at the beginning of any term. Taking summer classes helps with faster completion.
You must complete the program within five years of your start date to stay under those graduate bulletin requirements.
HOW CAN I GET STARTED?
FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY
Admission requirements include (but are not limited to) a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, a written statement of intent, a current résumé, and two letters of recommendation. To find out if you meet all requirements, check out UCA’s graduate bulletin and our MBA program overview.
If you meet program qualifications, you will find that we offer four concentrations and a general MBA to meet a wide variety of needs for our students. The requirements for each concentration are listed in our MBA program overview.
SKIP THE GMAT & GRE
You may be exempt from taking the GMAT or GRE if you:
- Hold a terminal degree* (e.g., PhD, MD, JD, DDS, EdD)
- Hold a master’s degree*
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in business with an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher in the last 60 hours*
- Hold a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in the last 60 hours AND have completed the four prerequisite courses required for admission to the program*
- Have completed and passed all parts of the CPA exam
*A degree from an accredited program or institution, including UCA, as determined by the UCA Graduate School and the UCA MBA Director.
PREREQUISITES
UCA welcomes and encourages students from all backgrounds to apply and pursue an MBA. If you have an undergraduate degree with little or no business background, make sure you complete these four prerequisite classes:
- ACCT 2310 Principles of Accounting I*
- ECON 2321 Microeconomics**
- CISA 2330 Business Statistics**
- FINA 3330 Managing Finance and Capital
*Must be taken before or concurrently with FINA3330 || **Must be taken before FINA3330
APPLYING TO TAKE PREREQUISITE COURSES
If you want to apply to the MBA program but still need the prerequisite courses, do not apply to the graduate program yet. You should apply through Post-Baccalaureate Admissions: http://uca.edu/admissions/apply/postbaccalaureate.
If you are an international student, you must apply through International Engagement: www.uca.edu/international/international-transfer-students.
Tips for Post-Baccalaureate applications:
- Pay close attention to the admission process instructions.
- Choose a regular campus application, not an online application, even though all of the courses are offered online.
- Choose “degree-seeking” and “general business.”
APPLYING FOR THE MBA PROGRAM
If you have a transcript that shows you have taken the prerequisite courses, begin your application to the MBA program through Graduate School Admissions: www.uca.edu/graduateschool.
International students who have taken the prerequisites should apply for UCA graduate programs through International Engagement: www.uca.edu/international/international-graduate-admission.
WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT DEADLINES?
Find important UCA registration deadlines here: www.uca.edu/registrar/academic-calendar.
You may also find important graduate school dates here: www.uca.edu/graduateschool.
International students should visit www.uca.edu/international/admission-deadlines.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
Watch this video to learn more about our program.
If you still have questions after reading this FAQ and reviewing our website, please contact
the MBA office
Call: (501) 450-3411
Email: MBA@uca.edu
Visit: 201 Donaghey Ave. | College of Business Suite 102 | Conway, AR 72035-0001
For help with Post-Baccalaureate admissions, email admissions@uca.edu, or call 501-450-3128.
For help with Graduate admissions, email ucagradschool@uca.edu, or call 501-450-3124. You may also contact Dr. McMurtrey using the contact information above.
International students should contact internationaladmission@uca.edu for assistance.