Business Administration, MBA

Department website: https://manderson.culverhouse.ua.edu/

Program Overview

The objective of the Manderson MBA program at The University of Alabama is to prepare high-achieving, high-potential students for successful business careers in a globally competitive environment. The MBA program has a commitment to providing a high value-added experience within a diverse and collaborative learning environment.

The academic curriculum emphasizes fundamental business concepts, knowledge, and skills through an interdisciplinary perspective. Case studies, projects, teamwork, and technology contribute to a dynamic applied learning environment. Co-curricular involvement is an integral component of the MBA program experience. In addition to satisfactory completion of the academic curriculum, MBA students must participate in co-curricular opportunities to satisfy degree requirements and graduate from the program. Multiple co-curricular opportunities and activities, which are aligned with professional development competencies, will be provided each academic term. Progress toward the completion of the co-curricular requirement will be tracked throughout the duration of the program.

MBA Program Formats

The Manderson MBA Program is offered in a variety of formats. The Traditional MBA is a full-time, two-year program that requires a focused area of study and is entered after the completion of an undergraduate degree. The STEM and CREATE Paths to the MBA are five-year programs integrated with quantitative and creative undergraduate disciplines, respectively, at The University of Alabama. The STEM and CREATE MBA programs also require a focused area of study (students must graduate with their undergrad degree before starting MBA year). 

Traditional MBA

The Traditional MBA program begins in the fall semester. Students must be enrolled for four consecutive Fall and Spring semesters that span over the two-year program. During the intervening summer, students are expected to be involved in meaningful internships to further enhance their professional experiences. Students take a prescribed program of courses and cross-discipline work that blends the analytical tools of management and the functional areas of business into a general management perspective. Topics include accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, operations, strategy, communications, information systems, and statistics. In addition, each student pursues elective courses leading to a mandatory focused area of study. Course selections for the focused area of study are made with the advice of faculty and staff advisors. Teaching methods combine cases, lecture-discussion, and projects. Small class sizes allow faculty members to use a variety of techniques for enhanced learning.

STEM Path to the MBA

The STEM Path to the MBA is a five-year program designed for entering University of Alabama freshmen majoring in a STEM area (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics). This program integrates business honors courses with the STEM undergraduate degree and culminates in the MBA program. Students in the STEM MBA program begin the MBA by taking online courses in the summer semester after the completion of their junior year of their undergraduate major. Students will complete another summer semester of online MBA courses after finishing their STEM undergraduate degree. Upon earning and graduating with their undergraduate degree (mandatory), students are then allowed to enter the full-year portion of the MBA program (in-person) to complete their MBA degree. During the two summertime periods, students are expected to be involved in meaningful internships to further enhance their professional experiences.

During each semester of their four years of undergraduate study, students enroll in a 1.5 credit-hour Business Honors course. These honors courses focus on communication and leadership skills. Students work in teams on community projects to develop both an appreciation for and a basic understanding of the importance of management skills in science and technology careers and to create an opportunity to interact with other STEM/CREATE students, as well as with executives from technology companies and MBA faculty members.

The Business Honors courses are taught by a faculty member who is assigned to the cohort in the freshman year and works with them through their senior year. This provides continuity of contact and allows the faculty mentor to track the students through the program.

During the sophomore, junior, and senior years, STEM discipline students can expect to be off campus and involved in internships, cooperative-learning experiences, and other online learning activities. The Business Honors courses include extensive use of digital technology: streaming video of presentations from guest speakers, teleconferencing for student presentations and class meetings, and the use of course management software that allows off-campus students to remain engaged and participate in coursework.

CREATE Path to the MBA

The CREATE Path to the MBA is a five-year program that targets students majoring in one of the various creative disciplines, including, but not limited to: art, music, fine arts, literature, fashion retailing, advertising, apparel and textiles, interior design, modern languages and classics, theater, and dance. This program integrates business honors courses with the CREATE undergraduate degree and culminates in the MBA program. Students in the CREATE MBA program begin the MBA by taking online courses in the summer semester after the completion of their junior year of their undergraduate major. Students will complete another summer semester of online MBA courses after finishing their CREATE undergraduate degree. Upon earning and graduating with their undergraduate degree (mandatory), students are then allowed to enter the full-year portion of the MBA program (in-person) to complete their MBA degree. During the two summertime periods, students are expected to be involved in meaningful internships to further enhance their professional experiences.

During each semester of their four years of undergraduate study, students enroll in a 1.5 credit-hour Business Honors course. These honors courses focus on communication and leadership skills. Students work in teams on community projects to develop both an appreciation for and a basic understanding of the importance of management skills in science and technology careers and to create an opportunity to interact with other STEM/CREATE students, as well as with executives from technology companies and MBA faculty members.

The Business Honors courses are taught by a faculty member who is assigned to the cohort in the freshman year and works with them through their senior year. This provides continuity of contact and allows the faculty mentor to track the students through the program.

The program is centered around innovative solutions to real-world problems and runs parallel to its sister program, the STEM Path to the MBA. Using nontraditional classroom methods and experiential learning opportunities, students on the CREATE Path to the MBA have the opportunity to grow both academically deep into their chosen major and functionally broad across different areas like communication, leadership, and professionalism. An added benefit from running parallel to the STEM Path to the MBA is that CREATE MBA students will gain exposure to the technical backgrounds of their peers, further diversifying their frame of reference for problem-solving.

Dual Degrees

JD/MBA Joint Degree Program in Law and Business

The University of Alabama School of Law and the Manderson Graduate School of Business offer students, who are interested in combined business and legal career opportunities, a law and MBA curriculum culminating in the awarding of the juris doctor (JD) and MBA degrees within four years. Admission is required into both programs. Further information about the joint JD/MBA Program may be obtained by contacting the director of the MBA Program and/or the Law School admissions office as well as by visiting the respective websites.

MBA Dual Degrees in Engineering

The Manderson Graduate School of Business and the College of Engineering offer students from an engineering background an opportunity to receive both their MBA and Master of Science in engineering (Civil or Mechanical) within two calendar years. Prospective students must be admitted to both programs before being allowed to pursue the dual curriculum. Further information about the dual MBA/ENG programs may be obtained by contacting the director of the MBA Program and/or the Engineering admissions office as well as by visiting the respective websites.

MBA/MFA Dual Degree

The Manderson Graduate School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences offer students an opportunity to receive both their MBA and their Master of Fine Arts (Theater Management) within four years. Prospective students must be admitted to both programs before being allowed to pursue the dual curriculum. Further information about the dual MBA/MFA program may be obtained by contacting the director of the MBA Program and/or the Theater Management office as well as by visiting the respective websites.