Professional MBA Frequently Asked Questions

Our Professional MBA is intentionally designed for working professionals who want to earn their degree while continuing full-time employment. The program offers two flexible formats to fit demanding schedules: an evening option, with classes held in person two evenings per week, and an every-other-weekend option that concentrates coursework into a predictable weekend rhythm. 

Both formats allow you to balance work, school and personal commitments while immediately applying what you learn in class to real challenges at work — often as soon as the next business day.

Learn more about program scheduling on our curriculum page.



 

Across most top-ranked part-time MBA programs in the U.S., weekend formats are more common than evening-only options. Many programs concentrate classes on Saturdays or every other weekend so working professionals can continue full-time employment with minimal disruption. Evening programs do exist, but they’re less common and often limited to select markets.

At Rice Business, our Professional MBA offers added flexibility. In fact, we’re proud to offer the only evening-based part-time MBA option in the Houston area, with in-person classes held two evenings per week. We also offer a weekend format that meets every other weekend, giving students the ability to choose the schedule that best fits their lifestyle and career demands.

In addition to our Evening and Weekend MBA programs, we also offer a Hybrid MBA designed for professionals. To see how each part-time MBA option is structured at Rice, learn more about our curricula and schedules.

Many top-ranked part-time MBA programs have strong connections with employers across industries, and graduates are recruited by a wide range of companies — from global consulting and financial firms to energy and healthcare. Employers recognize the value that MBA students bring, including advanced business skills, leadership experience and the ability to contribute immediately in professional roles.

At Rice Business, Professional MBA students benefit from these strong employer relations and personalized career support through our Career Development Office. Our graduates have secured roles with employers in sectors such as energy, consulting, financial services and technology, and many make promotions or company changes during (or soon after) the Rice MBA program.

Learn more about companies that recruit and career outcomes of our Professional MBAs.

The majority of part-time MBA programs are designed to be completed in two to three years, giving working professionals the flexibility to balance full-time careers with their academic goals.

At Rice Business, the Professional MBA is a 54-credit, cohort-based, lockstep program that is intentionally structured to be completed within two years. Students move through the curriculum together on a clear, predictable timeline, strengthening connections with faculty and classmates across all Rice MBA programs. This shared experience has helped create a tight-knit culture and an engaged alumni network — one that stays involved and continually supports current students and fellow graduates.

For a firsthand perspective on the Rice experience, we encourage you to connect with a student ambassador to learn more about life in the Professional MBA program.

At Rice Business, our Professional MBA is a lockstep, cohort-based program, which means students can’t switch into our Full-Time MBA mid-program. This approach helps keep the cohort experience strong and ensures everyone progresses together.

That said, there’s plenty of flexibility in your second year when you begin choosing electives — and we offer more than 100 of them. If an elective is originally scheduled for students in another program, they will receive enrollment priority, but with such a large array of courses, you’ll have lots of options to fit your interests and schedule.

Check out our electives to see how you can customize your MBA experience.

Salary outcomes after completing a part-time MBA can vary based on industry, role and career goals, but top-ranked programs like the Rice Professional MBA consistently show strong financial and professional returns. Many of our students see meaningful salary growth through promotions, expanded responsibilities or job changes during (or shortly after) the program.

At Rice Business, the results speak for themselves. For our Professional MBA graduates, the average starting salary post-MBA is $156,000, with an average signing bonus of $33,000. In addition, 42% of students change positions, and many others earn promotions or take on increased leadership responsibilities while still enrolled or soon after graduation. Because students remain employed during the program, they’re often able to apply new skills immediately and accelerate career momentum in real time.

Explore detailed career outcomes, employers and career paths.

Collaboration is a key part of the Professional MBA experience at Rice Business. Because our program is cohort-based and lockstep, all students move through the curriculum together on the same timeline, which naturally fosters teamwork and connection.

During core courses in the first year, students are assigned to teams for group projects. Much like in the workplace, you don’t choose your teammates — this intentional design mirrors real-world work environments and gives students the chance to practice leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills with a diverse group of classmates.

This approach not only strengthens your collaboration skills but also helps build lasting professional relationships within your cohort. Learn more about networking and leadership development opportunities available through the Professional MBA program.

The weekly time commitment for a part-time MBA can vary depending on your schedule, course load and personal study habits, but most students should expect to dedicate 10–15 hours per week outside of class for reading, assignments and group work.

At Rice Business, the Professional MBA offers two formats designed for working professionals:

• Evening format: Classes meet two evenings per week, typically from 6–9 p.m., allowing you to balance school with traditional daytime work hours. Students in this format usually spend additional time outside class on coursework and team projects.
• Weekend format: Classes meet every other weekend, usually full days on Friday and Saturday. While class time is more concentrated, students similarly dedicate extra hours for assignments and group collaboration during non-class weeks.

Both formats are designed to be manageable alongside a full-time job while providing enough time to engage with coursework, collaborate with classmates, and apply what you learn directly to your work. Connect with a recruiter to learn more about the schedule and see which program is right for you.

Applications for the Professional MBA at Rice Business typically open in August and close in June for enrollment the following fall.

We encourage prospective students to apply early — it reduces stress, gives you access to more available seats, and provides extra opportunities to network and prepare for your transformational MBA experience.

Learn more about the benefits of applying early as a working professional.

The Rice Business Professional MBA curriculum begins with a strong core in essential business areas including finance, accounting, marketing, strategy, data analytics, leadership, operations and business ethics.

As you progress through the program, you’ll select from a wide range of electives that let you tailor your MBA to your career goals — whether in entrepreneurship, consulting, energy, healthcare, technology or finance. Rice MBA courses are intentionally designed to address today’s business challenges and are taught by expert faculty who bring real-world experience and insight into the classroom.

For a full list of courses and degree requirements, explore the Professional MBA curriculum page.

Yes. The Rice Business Professional MBA combines a strong core curriculum — covering the business fundamentals employers expect from a top-ranked MBA program — with flexibility designed for working professionals.

After completing the core, you can customize your degree through more than 100 elective course options, tailoring your MBA to your career goals — whether by industry, function or skill set.

Explore our electives to see how you can shape your MBA experience to fit your goals.

When deciding between MBA programs, the most important question is which format is best for you, your schedule and your goals. At Rice Business, all of our programs deliver the same top-ranked MBA degree and are taught by the same award-winning faculty, with a rigorous, collaborative curriculum. 

A part-time MBA, like our Professional MBA, Hybrid MBA or Online MBA, is designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers without stepping away from the workforce. These formats offer a flexible balance between work, life and school. Most importantly, working professional MBAs get to apply what they learn in the classroom the very next day.

The Full-Time MBA is a great option for those willing to step away from work and fully immerse themselves in the MBA experience. Many students choose this path to accelerate their careers, explore industries or make a pivot while still focusing full-time on academics, recruiting and networking.

Still deciding which MBA is right? Take our MBA Fit Quiz to find the program that best aligns with where you are — and where you want to go.