Master of Business Administration | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

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Gary W. Rollins College of Business

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

You'll earn a versatile business credential that opens doors across industries, steps you into a management role and provides the education to back up what you already know from experience.

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Graduate programs FAQs

Why choose an MBA at RCOB?

UTC's MBA is built for people like you, with full lives. You don't have to quit your job, put your family on hold or move across the country to be able to invest in yourself. Five concentrations offered in two formats let you choose what fits your lifestyle.

Median starting salary for
MBA grads

$85,000

Source: National Association of College and Employers (NACE) Winter 2025 Salary Survey

Choose your MBA concentration — or keep it broad

Accounting: For professionals with an undergraduate accounting degree who want to deepen their expertise while gaining a strategic business foundation.

Business Analytics: For professionals who thrive working with data and want to be more competitive for leadership positions in any data-forward industry.

Finance: For professionals in banking, investment, corporate finance or financial planning who want the advanced knowledge to take on more complex roles.

Healthcare Administration: For professionals working in — or looking to enter — the healthcare industry, a sector that operates by unique rules.

General: The general track gives you the full breadth of an MBA education without locking you into a specialty.

Pick the learning format that fits your MBA goals.

Flexible MBA:

Discover a flexible MBA

Evening classes, combined with online courses designed for working professionals in the Chattanooga area. You stay employed, keep your routine and earn your degree on a schedule that works around your life.

100% online MBA:

Discover a 100% online MBA

Fully asynchronous, available to students in any location. Learn on your schedule, from wherever you are, without ever setting foot on campus if you don't want to.

Both formats deliver the same AACSB-accredited curriculum, the same faculty and the same degree.

Here's a side-by-side comparison with more details.

Explore the comparison chart

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Why the RCOB MBA program works for you

You're a recent graduate ready to accelerate into a management role, a non-business major entering the business world or an early-career professional who wants a credential that signals leadership readiness.

Options:

Five concentrations to choose from to best fit your goals

Flexibility:

Complete the 100% online courses from anywhere

Convenience:

Multiple admission terms so you can start when it’s right for you

Affordability:

Financial aid is available to help you achieve your goals without breaking the bank

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What you'll build with an MBA

Strategic thinking
Financial acumen
Leadership skills

Business intelligence
Decision-making under uncertainty
Organizational management

What is the difference between the 100% online MBA program and the flexible MBA program?

For a concise overview of the two MBA programs and the differences, view the MBA Side-by-Side Comparison Chart.
*Applicants interested in completing the MBA fully online, should apply to the MBA online program.

Are there different MBA concentrations offered within this MBA program?

Yes. Currently, the Masters in Business Administration program offers a general track (no concentration) and several MBA concentrations from which to choose.

For more information about the available MBA concentrations or the core curriculum, visit the MBA curriculum page.

How quickly can I complete the MBA program?

Time to completion is typically 2 years (six semesters) for part-time students working full-time.

Time to completion is typically four semesters or 1.5 years for full-time students.

Is the MBA a STEM-designated program for F-1 international students?

No, the MBA (regardless of the concentration) is not STEM-designated which means that the OPT period will be one year only. If you are an F-1 international student interested in a STEM-designated graduate business degree that qualifies for a two year OPT, check out our MS Data Analytics program.

What are my choices for MBA electives?

If you are pursuing the general MBA track, you may choose three approved graduate electives taught by UTC's Rollins College of Business in the areas of management, marketing, finance, and accounting. Students pursuing one of the MBA concentrations (e.g. accounting, business analytics, finance, & healthcare administration) will take three courses required by that particular concentration instead of three electives.

Do I need to register for MBA classes and how do I know my schedule?

Core courses are offered on a rotational basis. Electives are based on a forecasted demand but schedules are not guaranteed. Each elective is typically offered once a year.

Admitted students are free to take any courses they choose from those offered each semester as long as prerequisites are met for the courses chosen. Typically, core courses are offered every fall and spring semester and some are offered summer semester. Electives are offered on a rotational basis and usually at least once a year.

The MBA Advisor sends each student a detailed advising email prior to registration each semester and that email will have specific recommendations for the student based on their concentration, the student’s planned course load, and the courses they have remaining to complete the MBA program.

Do UTC's MBA programs operate on semesters and how long are classes?

For both the MBA Online and the Flexible MBA, courses are delivered in Fall and Spring following a full semester (15 weeks plus exam week). During full semesters, most part-time students will take two courses simultaneously; alternatively, a part time MBA student may take just one course per semester. Students must take three courses (9 credit hours) to be considered full-time.

The Summer semester follows a "parts of term" schedule that includes two mini-terms: Summer 1 and Summer 2. Each summer term is six weeks long. Part time MBA students take one class during each part of term for a total of two courses during the summer.

Students may choose to sit out any semester, but should notify their advisor as soon as this is known.

To view current and upcoming semester dates, visit UTC's Academic Calendar.

How many MBA courses will I take per semester?

Part-time MBA students working a full time job will take two courses (or one) per semester. Full-time MBA students (non-working individuals) may take three courses per semester. If a student intends to attend full time, they should notify their advisor immediately. It is assumed each applicant is interested in taking two courses per semester.

Time to completion is typically 24 months for part time students (working full-time) who take two courses per semester. There are 12 total courses in the MBA program.

Time to completion is typically four semesters or 1.5 years for full-time students and six semesters or 2 years for part-time students.

What is the purpose of the graduate school?

The graduate school is responsible for admissions, enforcing holds, enforcing academic probation and academic dismissal, maintaining official records, processing required forms (i.e. program of study and graduation audit forms, revisions to candidacy). All MBA advising and program issues are handled by the Rollins College of Business Graduate Programs Office.

Can I be admitted to UTC's MBA program if I don't have a bachelor's degree in business?

Yes, any major is eligible for UTC's MBA programs. If admitted to the program and it is determined that your transcripts are lacking in the equivalent of a C or better in business statistics, you will complete the MBA program's business statistics prerequisite through a non-credit, online module. Students can begin working on the module, which is estimated to take 15-20 hours to complete, as soon as they are admitted to the UTC Graduate School.

Can I transfer credits into the UTC MBA program?

Yes, you can potentially transfer up to 6 credit hours from another AACSB accredited Master of Business Administration program. Additionally, there are several other criteria that must be met including age of coursework, content, and credit hours. Once official transcripts are submitted and the student is admitted into the UTC MBA program, the Admissions Office staff will evaluate those past credits and determine if any classes/credits would be transferable into the UTC MBA program.

How is an applicant's GPA used in the MBA admission process?

The UTC Masters in Business Administration program requires applicants to have a minimum GPA of 2.70 for all undergraduate work taken for the baccalaureate degree. Because the UTC Graduate School will allow graduate programs to admit students who meet other GPA criteria, UTC's MBA program may consider for admission applicants who meet one or more of the following GPA requirements from a regionally accredited institution or foreign equivalent:

3.00 GPA for the last two years of undergraduate academic coursework OR
3.00 GPA for 30 or more semester hours of undergraduate credit after earning the first bachelor's degree OR
2.70 GPA for the last two years of undergraduate academic coursework and a 3.00 GPA on fewer than 24 hours of graduate coursework OR
3.00 GPA for 24 or more graduate hours OR
An earned master's degree or higher-level degree with at least a 3.00 GPA

Note: All GPAs are based on a 4.0 point scale; the last two years of undergraduate coursework are equivalent to approximately 60-70 semester hours or 90-100 quarter hours.

What happens if I do not meet the 2.70 MBA GPA requirements?

You may still be considered for the UTC MBA program. In this case, a minimum score of 500 or more on the GMAT is required, as well as a formal admission by exception request and essay explaining why you should be considered for MBA admission. This does not guarantee admission; however, the Admissions Office staff will review your application once complete and make an admission decision.

How is the minimum required 2.70 overall GPA determined?

All classes taken and grades received are included in the calculation of the overall undergraduate GPA, including any classes that were not passed but earned a letter grade. Additionally, grades are "leveled", dropping pluses and minuses in order to bring all university transcripts to the same grade standard as UTC. Questions concerning how the overall undergraduate GPA or any other applicant GPA is calculated should be directed to the UTC Graduate School at 423-425-4666.

Are Graduate Assistantships available to MBA students?

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available to graduate students. If you wish to apply, complete a Rollins College of Business graduate assistantship application. To be considered for an assistantship, applicants must submit all MBA application materials to the UTC Graduate School and must complete and submit the RCOB graduate assistant application to the RCOB Graduate Programs Office. GA applications may be turned in at any time, but priority application deadlines are the following dates:

Fall Semester: April 1

Spring Semester: October 15

To apply for assistantships outside of UTC's Rollins College of Business, contact UTC's Graduate School for an application and more information. In addition, general assistantship information (e.g. eligibility requirements, application, financial package) can be found on the Graduate School page.

Is there an MBA thesis or comprehensive exam?

No, there is no thesis or comprehensive examination required to complete the MBA program. Instead a capstone course, Strategic Management, is required.

How much does an MBA cost? What is the cost for in-state vs. out-of-state tuition?

Click here to view more information about the MBA tuition.

Note: Textbooks and other MBA course materials are not included in the program tuition and fees.

Get in touch with us about an MBA

Are you interested in learning more about either MBA degree? Did we miss something in this MBA FAQ? At UTC, we’re here to help. Complete an inquiry form with your MBA program questions and our Recruitment Coordinator will be in touch.