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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

  1. How do I contact the MBA Program office?
  2. What are the tuition and fees of the MBA?
  3. If my undergraduate degree is not in a business field, can I enter the MBA program?
  4. How are GBA 5000 courses offered?
  5. How much does an GBA 5000 course cost?
  6. How long will it take me to complete the MBA program?
  7. How many courses do I need to take to be admitted/remain at UHD?
  8. How many graduate hours can I transfer to the MBA program?
  9. Will the MBA have a specific area of emphasis or expertise?
  10. How are absences addressed?
  11. How many students are typically in the full time MBA program?
  12. Do you offer a General Management MBA?
  13. How do I prepare for the GMAT?
  14. How do schools use my GMAT scores?
  15. When and where can I take the GMAT?
  16. Can the GMAT be waived?


Admissions

 

  1. How do I apply for the MBA program?
  2. How are applicants evaluated for admission?
  3. What part of the application is most important?
  4. What is the application fee?
  5. What are the application deadlines for the MBA program?
  6. When should I apply?
  7. How can I check the status of my application?
  8. Do you require interviews?
  9. How will I be notified of my admissions decision?
  10. If I previously applied, do I need to resubmit an application?
  11. When will I receive a decision on my application?

Questions and Answers

 

How do I contact the MBA Program office?

The MBA Program office is open 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (CST) Monday and Thursday, and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (CST) Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.  Our e-mail address is mba@uhd.edu.

Our postal/courier (FedEx, UPS, etc.) address is:
Graduate Business Programs
Marilyn Davies College of Business
University of Houston-Downtown
One Main Street
Houston, TX 77002-1001

Our Location is:
Shea Street Building, Suite B400
320 North Main Street

What are the tuition and fees of the MBA?

For exact tuition and fees, please visit our accounting and cashiers page. Contact UHD Financial Aid at 713-221-8522 and Veterans Services at 713-226-5581 for more information. 

If my undergraduate degree is not in a business field, can I enter the MBA program?

We encourage anyone interested in earning an MBA to apply regardless of the undergraduate major or degree.  Applicants who hold a bachelor’s business degree from a non-AACSB accredited university or earned an undergraduate degree in a non-business field will be required to demonstrate preparedness and core knowledge for graduate study in business.  If selected for admission, these applicants will be required to complete up to seven leveling (GBA 5000) courses, in order to gain the basic foundation for graduate management study.


How are GBA 5000 courses offered?


Leveling courses are offered every eight weeks once a term begins. Students may register and start the courses prior to each eight-week term after admission to the MBA program, and progress at their own pace, completing each course in the eight-week time period. All leveling courses are taught fully online and are two semester credit hours each.

The GBA 5000 courses are:

Course Number Course Name Credits
GBA 5202 Foundations of Management Theory 2
GBA 5204 Financial Information 2
GBA 5205 Accounting 2
GBA 5206 Production & Operations Management 2
GBA 5207 Management Information Systems 2
GBA 5208 Marketing Information 2
GBA 5212 Quantitative Methods in Business 2
GBA 5215 Legal Environment of Business 2
Total   16


How much does an GBA 5000 course cost?

For exact tuition and fees, please visit our accounting and cashiers page.


How long will it take me to complete the MBA program?

Students entering the program will be able to complete the degree in 1, 2 or 3 years. Beginning in fall 2020, courses are also available in an online format. We offer the flexibility and interaction you need and under your control to choose when you need it. 

One Year-Attend class four nights a week and take courses in a blended, hybrid format, with face-to-face and online curriculum or fully online.

Two Years-The most common format. First-year students typically take 22 credit hours of MBA core classes. Nine credit hours are completed in the fall and spring semesters and the remaining four credit hours are completed in the summer.

Three Years-Progress though the program at a slower rate and spread your core classes over two years, while devoting the third year to your preferred concentration classes.

See how quickly the degree can be completed.

How many courses do I need to take to be admitted/remain at UHD?

We have a career friendly MBA program and students may proceed at their own pace. However, at least one course each term is required to maintain an active student status.


How many graduate hours can I transfer to the MBA program?

A maximum of three approved courses (six semester credit hours) may be transferred from another AACSB accredited university. A minimum grade of B is required for the course to transfer. All petitions for transfer credit must be submitted to the MBA Admissions Committee at the time of application for approval.


Will the MBA have a specific area of emphasis or expertise?

If you are seeking a broader based program, you should consider the General Management MBA. This curriculum is designed to provide students with exposure to wider range of areas successful working professionals will likely face.

Students seeking a deeply–focused MBA will select among seven different corporate-driven concentrations. Choosing a focus in a selected area will provide the student with the opportunity to take 4-6 courses in specific discipline. Not only will these courses develop a substantial depth of understanding in the area, but the knowledge will parallel needs that have been identified by representatives from leading, highly visible companies. The seven options available for a focused concentration are:

Accounting Concentration
Sales Management and Business Development Concentration
Finance Concentration
Human Resource Management Concentration
International Business
Investment Management Concentration
Leadership Concentration
Project Management/Process Improvement Concentration
Supply Chain Management Concentration


How are absences addressed?

Students enrolled in the UHD MBA program are expected to attend all scheduled classes. These are hybrid courses that meet half the normal class time; therefore, absences can be devastating to academic performance and should be avoided. However, working professionals occasionally may have unavoidable absences as a result of unexpected business travel or other emergencies. Professors should be informed of the nature of the absences at the earliest practical opportunity, preferably in advance. Students are responsible for all information and assignments from missed classes.

In cases where absences reach a frequency that, in the professor's opinion, make it unlikely that the student can successfully complete the course, withdrawal from class will be recommended.

How many students are typically in the full time MBA program?

The MBA Admissions Committee seeks to fill a class of approximately 50-100 students each entry cycle.

 

Do you have a General Management MBA?

Yes, We offer a General Management MBA. This is the most cost-effective degree plan, with the mba core and general management course investment. Courses are 2 credit hours each and taught in a hybrid format. Terms are 8 weeks per session and potential students must apply for a traditional MBA application.

 

How do I prepare for the GMAt?
Plan early for the GMAT exam. Visit the official GMAT web site, under Prepare for the GMAT exam with GMAT practice tests.

 

How do schools use my GMAT scores?

UHD requires a GMAT score as an integral part of the MBA admission process. Visit the official GMAT web site, under How schools use my scores? Remember, if your GMAT score is older than five years, you must retake the GMAT for admission into the UHD MBA program.



When and where can I take the GMAT?

Finding a testing location is easy and simple. Visit the official GMAT web site, under Find a Test Center.

 

 

Can the GMAT be waived?

Under certain circumstances, prospective UHD MBA applicants may request a waiver for the GMAT when applying to the program. The UHD MBA Admissions Committee will consider, on a case-by-case basis, GMAT waiver requests from applicants who have completed an advanced degree (e.g. masters or higher), have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, 3.0 or higher in their last 60 hours or have already taken a GRE/LSAT/MCAT exam at least six months prior to applying to the UHD MBA program.  The decision of the MBA Admissions Committee on GMAT waiver is final.   

 

 

Admissions

How do I apply for the MBA program?

1. Apply online using the UHD online graduate ​application.​

2. Submit the following to: University of Houston-Downtown Office of Graduate & International Admissions One Main Street,  Suite GSB 308 Houston, TX  77002

a.   Official transcript(s) from the Institution(s) where you earned your Bachelor’s degree and Advanced degree (if applicable); documents must be received from the degree-granting institution.

b.   Official GMAT score report, or copy of scheduled test date.*

c.   Official TOEFL score report if you graduated from a foreign university.

3. Submit the following documents in .pdf file format** to: gradadmissions@uhd.edu

a.  Two letters of recommendation from professional references. Download the Professional Reference Form here.

b. A personal statement of approximately 250-500 words addressing why the applicant desires an MBA from UHD, as well as other circumstances the applicant desires to share with the admissions committee.

  • ​​​​Personal Statement​ Helpful Tips :
    • ​Applicants are encouraged to write between 250-500 words, the Faculty Admissions Committee recommends  ​approximately a page
    • Students can feel free to write more than 500 words, and the Committee will not penalize them for more information 
    • ​​Provide any additional information that applicants want the Faculty Admissions Committee to know (examples of resilience, explain potential gaps, etc.). 
    • While the Committee will continue to receive creative stories and formats, some of the best Personal Statements the Committee receives are formatted like cover letters for a job submission—with the tone and theme of business/academic language
 c. Resume

4. View the deadline for applications, any applications received after the deadlines will be considered for the following semester unless you request special consideration.  Contact the MBA office at 713-221-8252 or email mba@uhd.edu.

*The test date is for informational purposes only. The application will not be forwarded to the MBA Admissions Committee until UHD receives the actual scores.
 
**A .pdf is an electronic file format. Several software programs are available on the Internet that convert electronic documents to .pdf format.


How are applicants evaluated for admission?

The MBA Admissions Committee carefully considers all materials in the completed application. Particular attention is paid to test scores, work history, undergraduate performance and letters of recommendation. The committee also takes into consideration extracurricular activities, community service, international experience, multi-lingual skills and other characteristics that make an applicant unique.


What part of the application is most important?

No one part of the application is more important than others. The MBA Admissions Committee reviews each application as a whole and makes a decision based on the overall picture provided by the applicant.


What is the application fee?

The application fee is $35.00


What are the application deadlines for the MBA program?

View the deadline for applications, any applications received after the deadlines will be considered for the following semester unless you request special consideration.  Contact the MBA office at 713-221-8252 or email mba@uhd.edu.


When should I apply?

We encourage students to apply when they believe their applications best represents their backgrounds and future goals.
Applicants who intend to apply for financial aid should check the financial aid website for deadlines.


How can I check the status of my application?

After completing https://connect.uhd.edu/portal/GRAD and paying the $35 application fee, applicants will receive a communication with a user name to active their myUHD accounts. Through myUHD, applicants can monitor the completion and progress of their applications.

If an application is designated “incomplete,” the myUHD status screen will indicate what specific items are missing. If elements of an application are listed as “not received” and you believe the Graduate Admissions Office or the College of Business should be in receipt of these items, please wait 10 business days after the date of application before contacting the Graduate Admissions Office to allow them time to completely update your file.

When a file is complete it is forwarded to the College of Business and presented to the MBA Admissions Committee.

It is the applicants’ responsibility to ensure that all documents are received before the cutoff date. The Graduate Admissions Office and the Davies College of Business Director of Graduate Programs Office will not contact applicants to remind them of incomplete files.

Do you require interviews?

The MBA program does not require interviews for all admitted applicants. Upon receiving and reviewing each application, the MBA Admissions Committee may require an interview if it seeks additional information. If this is the case, applicants will be notified by telephone or e-mail and an interview scheduled.

During the visit, applicants can attend a class, visit with current students, and interview with the Davies College of Business Graduate Programs Director. Campus visits are usually arranged Monday through Thursday in the evenings while classes are in session.

While an on-campus interview is strongly preferred, alternate processes may be selected for applicants that cannot travel to campus.


How will I be notified of my admissions decision?

Admitted students will receive a telephone call or e-mail followed by an official admissions packet. Applicants placed on the wait list or denied admission will only receive notification via e-mail.


If I previously applied, do I need to resubmit an application?

Candidates who wish to re-apply and have submitted an application within the past two years should contact the Graduate Admissions Office at MDCOBGradAdvising@uhd.edu prior to beginning an application. If it has been more than two years, applicants will need to go through the full application process, including submission of all supplemental materials.


When will I receive a decision on my application?


We do our best to provide a decision within three to five weeks of a completed application file. To be considered for admission, an applicant is required to submit the following:

  • Baccalaureate degree conferred by a regionally-accredited institution
  • Official University transcript(s) from which the applicant earned Bachelor’s degree and Advanced degree (if applicable)
  • Resumé that emphasizes:  personal and professional accomplishments; and leadership experience.
  • Two Recommendation Forms from individuals acquainted with the applicant’s professional work experience.
  • A personal statement addressing why the applicant desires an MBA from UHD, as well as other circumstances the applicant desires to share with the Admissions Committee.
  • GMAT score less than 5 years old.
  • For graduates of universities where English is not the native language: minimum TOEFL scores of 81 on the IBT or 6.5 on the IELTS is required.

 

Can't find what you are looking for?

Please email our office at mba@uhd.edu if you have any questions regarding our Graduate program.