Skip to Search Skip to Navigation Skip to Content

College of Business


Master of Business Administration Degree

The Master of Business Administration degree is designed to offer the opportunity for intensive education to qualified graduate students and is available to individuals with undergraduate degrees in the business administration areas, as well as to those with specializations outside the business field.

Students whose previous training has been in nonbusiness fields may be admitted to the M.B.A. program but are required, as a condition of admission, to complete (in total or in part, depending upon the background of each student) the M.B.A. leveling courses. Students whose background is in business, but who have completed the M.B.A. leveling courses seven or more years before entering the program, may be required by the Admissions Subcommittee of the Graduate Program Committee to successfully complete the M.B.A. leveling courses. These courses are open only to graduate students and are in addition to degree requirements of the M.B.A.

Students who enter the M.B.A. degree program must demonstrate proficiency with computer programs commonly used in business applications, including, but not limited to, spreadsheets, presentation, and word processing software. Special not-for-credit courses may be offered to address this need.

Program Admission Requirements. For admission to the M.B.A. program, applicants must meet University-wide graduate admission requirements. Applicants are further considered on the basis of demonstrated potential for success in graduate study in business administration as indicated by a combination of prior academic achievement, Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores, personal statement, résumé (optional), and references (optional).

The M.B.A. Program Committee evaluates each applicant individually based on the complete package of submitted materials.

A complete application package will include:

  • a completed application form    
  • transcripts from all universities attended
  • official Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores
    (upon review of the M.B.A. Committee, GRE scores may be accepted in lieu of the GMAT scores)    
  • a personal statement     
  • a current résumé with employment or other experience (optional)     
  • letters of reference (optional).

M.B.A. Leveling Courses. The following courses constitute the M.B.A. leveling and are required for students who do not have credit for equivalent undergraduate courses. However, no credit for these courses may count toward M.B.A. degree requirements.

ACC  5003   Financial Accounting Concepts
BLW  5003   Legal Environment of Business
ECO  5003   Economic Theory and Policy
IS     5003   Introduction to Information Systems
MS    5003  Quantitative Methods for Business Analysis

Degree Requirements. The M.B.A. program requires 36 semester credit hours of work beyond any hours acquired in the M.B.A. leveling courses.

Candidates for the M.B.A. degree are required to successfully complete the M.B.A. Core courses, which are included in the following 24 semester credit hours:

ACC  5023   Accounting Analysis for Decision Making
ECO  5023   Managerial Economics
FIN   5023   Financial Management
MGT  5043  Management and Behavior in Organizations
MGT  5253  Ethics and Globalization (Students are required to complete this course in their first semester of enrollment in the M.B.A. program.)
MGT  5903  Strategic Management and Policy
(Students who earn a grade of “B” (3.0) or better in this course will satisfy the comprehensive examination requirement. A student who receives a grade of “B–,” “C+,” or “C” may still satisfy the requirement by successfully passing a comprehensive examination as set out in this catalog.)
MKT  5023   Marketing Management
MS    5023   Decision Analysis and Production Management

Flexible or Full-time Status. The general M.B.A. degree allows students to take the program at their own pace, whether on a full-time or a part-time (flexible) basis. In addition, students may switch this status from semester to semester without additional approvals or admissions processes. Samples of flexible and full-time degree plans can be found at the College of Business graduate Web site: http://business.utsa.edu/graduate/.

Degree Options: Students seeking the M.B.A. degree may elect one of three options to complete the required 36 semester credit hours.

Option 1: General M.B.A. Nonthesis Option. Under Option 1, students are required to complete the 24 semester credit hours listed above and 12 semester credit hours of electives. These electives may be taken either in the College of Business (Departments of Accounting, Economics, Entrepreneurship and Technology Management, Finance, Information Systems and Cyber Security, Management, Management Science and Statistics, or Marketing) and include courses listed in the M.B.A. concentrations, or in areas outside of the College as approved by the Graduate Program Committee. Concentration courses are not restricted to students in the concentration area.

Option 2: General M.B.A. Thesis Option. Under Option 2, students are required to complete the 24 semester credit hours listed above, 6 semester credit hours of electives as approved by the Graduate Program Committee, and 6 semester credit hours of Master’s Thesis. See the University’s requirements for a thesis in Options for Master’s Degrees in Chapter 4.

Option 3: Nonthesis M.B.A. Concentration Option. Under Option 3, students have an opportunity to concentrate in a particular area. For the following concentrations, specific requirements for each are discussed under the departments of the College of Business: Business Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Information Assurance, Information Systems, Management Science, Management of Technology, Marketing Management, Project Management, Real Estate Finance, and Tourism Destination Development. See below for details on the interdepartmental M.B.A. with a concentration in the Business of Health.

Back to Top

Master of Business Administration Degree – Business of Health Concentration

This concentration is designed to offer the opportunity for qualified graduate students to study business administration at the graduate level with particular emphasis in the business of health. It will assist students who enter with a wide range of work experience in their quest for advanced leadership and managerial roles within a variety of types of healthcare organizations.

Students choosing to concentrate in the business of health must complete the 24 semester credit hours of courses containing the M.B.A. Core.

In addition, students choosing this concentration must complete 12 semester credit hours as follows:

  1. Required courses (9 semester credit hours):

    ACC  6763   Legal and Tax Strategies for Healthcare Organizations
    ACC  6773   Seminar in Medicare Regulation
    MGT  6123   Healthcare Strategic Management

  2. Elective courses (3 semester credit hours chosen from the following):

    ACC   6783   Accounting for Healthcare Organizations
    BLW  6553   Legal, Ethical, and Social Issues of Healthcare Management
    ECO  6543   Healthcare Economics and Policy
    MGT  6133   Organizational and Managerial Issues in Healthcare Delivery
    MGT  6923   Healthcare Management Internship

Back To Top

Executive Master of Business Administration

The Executive Master of Business Administration (E.M.B.A.) is a version of the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree program structured specifically for executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs who have significant managerial experience. This five-semester plan of study features cohort classes, lock-step weekend class scheduling, and an emphasis on strategic leadership. The E.M.B.A. is accredited by the AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business—and conforms to its recommended guidelines.

E.M.B.A. Program Admission Requirements. Because of the special focus of the E.M.B.A. program, the application process is separate from and independent of the regular M.B.A. program. Admission decisions are not reciprocal, class size is limited, and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis until all available class positions are filled.

For admission to the E.M.B.A. program, applicants must meet University-wide graduate admission requirements and the following College of Business requirements:

  • In general, applicants are expected to meet M.B.A. program admission requirements with special additional consideration given to work experience, life accomplishments, and leadership potential.
  • Applicants are expected to have approximately 10 years of work experience with increasing managerial responsibility. Less experienced applicants will be considered if they can demonstrate exceptional accomplishment.
  • Applicants must submit three letters of professional reference attesting to leadership potential.
  • Applicants are required to participate in a personal interview with the E.M.B.A. Admissions Subcommittee of the Executive Programs Committee.

Applicants who fail to meet these requirements can be admitted conditionally upon recommendation of the E.M.B.A. Admissions Subcommittee of the Executive Programs Committee and approval of the Dean of the Graduate School.

Students are expected to enter the E.M.B.A. program with basic computer skills, specifically in the use of Microsoft® Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Special not-for-credit courses may be offered to address this need. Because of the lock-step nature of the E.M.B.A., students must complete all required courses without exception. There will be no course waivers. In addition, students who leave the program before completion for any reason are not eligible to rejoin the same class in a subsequent semester. Admission to future E.M.B.A. classes is dependent upon successful reapplication. Acceptance in a future program is not guaranteed.

Back to Top

Master of Business Administration Degree in International Business

The Master of Business Administration degree in International Business is designed to prepare students for successful careers in international management to meet the needs of businesses, government, and economic development agencies at the regional, national, and global levels.

The M.B.A. program in International Business is offered in a full-time sequenced format that allows students to complete degree requirements in one year. Some courses require study outside of the United States, and travel costs are not included in the program tuition. Independent study and internships outside of the United States are encouraged but not required.

Students pursuing this degree must demonstrate proficiency in one language in addition to English.

Program Admission Requirements. Applicants for admission to the M.B.A. program in International Business are required to meet the same general admission requirements set out for the M.B.A. degree. Additionally, it is strongly recommended that students have two years of full-time work experience.

Degree Requirements. The M.B.A. program in International Business consists of 44 semester credit hours of coursework. This includes three leveling classes (9 semester credit hours). Students in the M.B.A. in International Business are required to take the international sections of all courses. Students must also meet comprehensive examination requirements as set out in this catalog. The courses and their sequencing are as follows:

Summer Semester

ACC  5003  Financial Accounting Concepts
ECO  5023  Managerial Economics
MGT  5003  Conceptual Foundations of Management
MGT  6971  Special Problems - International Ethics
MS    5003  Quantitative Methods for Business Analysis

Fall Semester

ACC  5023  Accounting Analysis for Decision Making
FIN    5023  Financial Management
IS     6971  Special Problems - Information Systems
MGT  5183  Global and Comparative Management
MGT  6971  Special Problems - International Law
MKT  5023  Marketing Management

Spring Semester

ECO  6323  International Trade and Finance
FIN    5833  International Financial Management
MGT  6971  Special Problems - International Human Resources
MKT  5673  International Marketing
MS    5023  Decision Analysis and Production Management
MS    6971  Special Problems - Global Supply Chain

M.B.A. International Capstone Experience

MGT  5903  Strategic Management and Policy
(Students who earn a grade of “B” (3.0) or better in this course will satisfy the comprehensive examination requirement. A student who receives a grade of “B-“, “C+” or “C” may still satisfy the requirement by successfully passing a comprehensive examination as set out in this catalog.) (Students must register for section of MGT 5903 which is designated for the MBA in International Business students.)

Back to Top

Dual Master of Business Administration Degree and Master of Public Health Degree Program

This integrated dual degree program is designed to offer the opportunity for qualified graduate students to study both business administration and public health at the graduate level. It will assist students who enter with a wide range of work experience in their quest for advanced leadership and managerial or administrative roles within a variety of healthcare and public health organization types. The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree is offered through the UTSA College of Business, and the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree is offered through The University of Texas School of Public Health (UTSPH) with courses available at its San Antonio Regional Campus.

Applicants will be admitted to the M.B.A. and M.P.H. degree programs independently, according to the admission schedule and policies of each institution. Applicants must submit all admission materials to each admission office independently and on time. Once a student has been admitted to both institutions, they will be reviewed for enrollment in the dual degree program by the Coordinating Committee and will receive a letter regarding the outcome of the review. Admission to the integrated dual degree program may occur after a student has already matriculated in the M.B.A., M.P.H., or both degree programs, as long as the student is still within the first-half of each program.

Each student shall be responsible for payment of tuition and fees at each institution at which the student is enrolled.

Required Courses. Students choosing the dual degree program must complete the 36 semester credit hours of M.B.A. coursework and the 45 semester credit hours of M.P.H. coursework. However, under this integrated dual-degree program, up to 12 semester credit hours of M.B.A. coursework can be applied to the M.P.H. requirements, and up to 12 semester credit hours of M.P.H. coursework can be applied to the M.B.A. requirements. These shared-credit courses substantially reduce the total time required for students to complete the programs, when compared with taking each of the two degree programs separately.

Students should refer to The University of Texas School of Public Health catalog (http://sph.uth.tmc.edu/campuses/san-antonio/) for M.P.H. program admission and degree requirements.

Back to Top

Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Business Administration

The College of Business offers opportunities for advanced study and research leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Business Administration. The degree program offers five areas of emphasis: Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, Marketing, and Organization and Management Studies. The Ph.D. in Business Administration is awarded to candidates who have displayed an in-depth understanding of the subject matter and demonstrated the ability to make an original contribution to knowledge in their field of specialty.

The regulations for this degree comply with the general University regulations (refer to Chapter 2, General Academic Regulations, and Chapter 5, Doctoral Degree Regulations).

Admission Requirements. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The Doctoral Studies Committee in the major areas will evaluate applicants to the Ph.D. program based on several factors, including academic achievement, standardized test scores, employment history, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and possibly an interview. All applicants must submit the following material for evaluation:

  • official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework completed
  • Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from a recent (no more than five years old) administration of the examination
  • three letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources familiar with the applicant’s background
  • a résumé or curriculum vitae and a statement of academic interests and goals
  • international students must also submit a score of at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TOEFL scores may not be more than two years old.

Candidates who do not possess a baccalaureate or master’s degree in a business or business-related discipline with sufficient quantitative rigor are required to complete a program consisting of a minimum of 87 semester credit hours. The Doctoral Studies Committee for the major area discipline will determine a degree program for each candidate based upon that candidate’s particular background. Candidates whose backgrounds are determined to be insufficient in specific areas may be directed to take additional background or leveling courses (See sections A, B, and C of the Program of Study below) before proceeding to the program’s required courses. Candidates who enter the program with the appropriate prior graduate coursework may be waived from some or all of the background requirements (sections A, B, and C).

Admission normally requires appointment to a teaching assistantship, research assistantship, or research fellowship. The Doctoral Studies Committee, comprised of members selected from the graduate faculty, is responsible for advising students.

Degree Requirements. The degree requires a minimum of 87 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Candidates who enter the program with prior graduate coursework may be waived from some of the background degree requirements in categories A, B, and C below, with approval from the discipline’s Doctoral Studies Committee.

No course for which a grade of less than “C” was earned can be applied to the Doctoral degree program and no more than two courses with a grade of “C” may be applied to the program.

Program of Study

  1. M.B.A. Core Courses:

    This requirement may be met by a master’s degree in business or business-related discipline. If a student does not have the appropriate graduate degree, a minimum of three courses (9 semester credit hours) outside of the student’s major discipline must be taken from the following list:

    ACC   5023   Accounting Analysis for Decision Making
    ECO   5023   Managerial Economics
    FIN    5023   Financial Management
    MGT  5043   Management and Behavior in Organizations
    MGT  5253   Ethics and Globalization
    MGT  5903   Strategic Management and Policy
    MKT  5023   Marketing Management
    MS    5023   Decision Analysis and Production Management

    Some or all of this requirement may be waived based on prior graduate coursework, with the approval of the discipline’s Doctoral Studies Committee.

  2. Discipline background courses (5000-level courses or higher) in the major field or in a field directly related to (or relevant for) the major field (12 semester credit hours). Up to 9 credit hours of this requirement may be waived based on prior graduate coursework, with the approval of the discipline’s Doctoral Studies Committee.

  3. Statistics/Quantitative background (5000 level or higher) (6 semester credit hours):*

    6 semester credit hours of 5000-level (or higher) course in Statistics, Research Methods, Management Science, or associated Economics courses as approved by the Doctoral Studies Committee. Only courses relevant to the doctoral program of study will be approved to meet this requirement.

    *If this requirement is met, the discipline Doctoral Studies Committee may approve the waiver of 3 hours of the 18 semester credit hours required in the Statistics and Research Methodology requirement (section E, below). Students without the approved Statistics/Quantitative background requirement will take all 18 credit hours of the Statistics and Research Methodology requirement.

  4. Seminar in teaching methods (3 semester credit hours):

    GBA  7103  Doctoral Teaching Seminar

  5. Statistics and Research Methodology (18 semester credit hours):

    18 semester credit hours of 6000- or 7000-level courses in Statistics, Research Methods, Management Science, or associated Economics courses as approved by the Doctoral Studies Committee.** Courses include but are not limited to:

    ECO  7013  Seminar in Microeconomic Theory
    ECO  7053  Quantitative Methods for Business and Economics
    ECO  7063  Econometrics
    GBA  7013  Research Methods I
    GBA  7023  Research Methods II
    MS    7033  Applications in Causal Structural Modeling
    STA  6923  Advanced Statistical Learning/Data Mining
    STA  7013  Advanced Applied Business Statistical Methods
    STA  7023  Applied Linear Statistical Models
    STA  7033  Multivariate Statistical Analysis
    STA  7083  Time Series Analysis

    **If the Statistics/Quantitative background requirement (section C, above) is met, the Doctoral Studies Committee may approve the waiver of 3 hours of the 18 semester credit hours required in the Statistics and Research Methodology requirement. Students without the approved Statistics/Quantitative background requirement will be required to take all 18 hours of the Statistics and Research Methodology requirement.

  6. Major Area Coursework:

    1. Four Ph.D.-level courses in major area (12 semester credit hours).
    2. Two directed electives approved by the Doctoral Studies Committee from among graduate-level courses in major area (6 semester credit hours).
  7. Free Electives (3 semester credit hours):

    One course to be approved by the Doctoral Studies Committee. The course may be from within or outside the College of Business and must be at the graduate level.

  8. Doctoral Research (9 semester credit hours):

    This requirement is met by doctoral research coursework.

  9. Dissertation Research (minimum 12 semester credit hours)

The initial Program of Study must be approved by the Doctoral Studies Committee and must be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for final approval.

Advancement to Candidacy. Advancement to candidacy requires a student to complete University and program requirements and to pass a written qualifying examination following completion of course requirements in the candidate’s major field of study. The examination is administered by the Doctoral Studies Committee. No more than two attempts to pass qualifying examinations are allowed. Results of the written and oral examinations must be reported to the Doctoral Studies Committee, the Dean of the College, and the Dean of the Graduate School. Admission into the doctoral program does not guarantee advancement to candidacy.

Dissertation. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research by completing and defending an original dissertation. The research topic is determined by the student in consultation with his or her supervising professor. A Dissertation Committee, selected by the student and supervising professor, guides and critiques the candidate’s research. The completed dissertation must be formally presented to and approved by the Dissertation Committee.

Following an open presentation of the dissertation findings, the Dissertation Committee conducts a closed meeting to determine the adequacy of the research and any further requirements for completion of the dissertation. Results of the meeting must be reported to the Dean of the College and to the Dean of the Graduate School.

Awarding of the degree is based on the approval of the Dissertation Committee, approved by the Dean. The UTSA Dean of the Graduate School certifies the completion of all University-wide requirements.

Back to Top

Graduate Certificate in the Business of Health

The Graduate Certificate in the Business of Health is a 12-semester-credit-hour program designed to equip healthcare and business professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to lead in today’s rapidly-changing healthcare environment. The influence of political, social, legal, regulatory, environmental and technological issues on healthcare management decisions is central to our practical, state-of-the-art classes.

Students who are currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at UTSA are eligible for admission to this certificate program. Students who have previously completed a master’s degree, equivalent-level professional degree (such as JD, MD, DDS, etc.) or higher (such as Ph.D., etc.) are not required to submit a graduate admission test for admission to this certificate program. Students who are currently enrolled in a post-baccalaureate degree program are required to submit their graduate admission test results (such as from the DAT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, OAT, PCAT, etc.) if they have taken an admissions test for their current program. The GMAT requirement for students who do not have an advanced degree, or who have not taken a graduate admission test may be waived for this program. The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

To earn the Business of Health certificate, students must complete 12 semester credit hours:
BOH 6123  Healthcare Strategic Management
BOH 6763  Legal and Tax Strategies for Healthcare Organizations
BOH 6773  Seminar in Medicare Regulation

And one course chosen from the following:

BOH 6133  Organizational and Managerial Issues in Healthcare Delivery
BOH 6543  Healthcare Economics and Policy
BOH 6553  Legal, Ethical, and Social Issues of Healthcare Management
BOH 6783  Accounting for Healthcare Organizations
BOH 6923  Healthcare Management Internship

Back to Top