The Rice Business Professional Master of Business Administration (PMBA) is a flexible, part-time MBA in Texas for professionals seeking career acceleration without pausing their careers. Based in Houston, with experiences that extend beyond the city, the program blends evening or weekend classes with hands-on learning — so you can immediately apply new skills on the job.
Students complete the Professional MBA in two years, building a powerful network and leadership toolkit along the way. Rice’s inclusive, supportive culture means you’ll be challenged and championed in equal measure by faculty, staff, classmates and alumni. Keep your current job, benefitting from the immediate, continuous application of learning at work and ongoing career momentum.
Duration: 22 months to complete (54 credits)
Format: 100% on-campus part-time, evening or alternating weekends
Class Profile: 3-12 years of work experience, 8 on average
Our Professional MBA balances academic rigor with flexibility for busy professionals. The lockstep, STEM-designated curriculum’s core (strategy, finance, accounting, operations, marketing, analytics, leadership) builds a common foundation, followed by electives that let you specialize through targeted course pathways. Most students finish in approximately 22 months via evening or weekend classes.
Busy professionals who continue to work while pursuing an MBA need a course format that works with their busy schedule. Professional MBA students select either an evening or weekend class option to immerse themselves in learning without sacrificing their responsibilities:
Evening Format: Come right after work, dinner is provided. Classes are around 6:15 - 9:30 p.m. twice a week with additional classes the first year. A few full day classes are required.
Weekend Format: Start classes Friday afternoons and complete a full day of classes on Saturdays. Many students decide to take a half day every other Friday.
Applying to the Professional MBA program at Rice Business is straightforward — and we welcome the opportunity to personally answer your questions. Application requirements include:
Bachelor’s degree
Professional work experience
At least one professional letter of recommendation
GMAT, GRE or EA score (or sufficient reasoning for a test waiver)
Backed by the strength and reputation of Rice University, Rice Business offers the #1 MBA in Texas (Financial Times, based on global rankings, 2023-2026) and the #7 best MBA in finance (The Princeton Review, 2027) as well as the #8 best MBA for consulting (The Princeton Review, 2027). The Professional MBA is ranked #7 Best Part‑Time MBA Program (Fortune, 2024) and is highly respected across Houston’s business community. Known for excellence in finance, entrepreneurship, energy and more, Rice Business delivers outcomes and employer recognition that place it among the nation’s top MBA programs.
Advance your career without stepping away from it. In the Professional MBA, you’ll learn from world‑class faculty while receiving personalized career guidance tailored to your goals. Through one‑on‑one coaching, focused workshops, and expert advising, you’ll gain skills you can apply immediately — and continue building long after graduation. Alumni benefit from ongoing career coaching and continued access to learning opportunities and resources designed to support growth at every stage of their careers.
The Rice Professional MBA offers a fully in-person experience grounded in experiential learning. You engage in hands‑on consulting through a global field experience, take part in student clubs and leadership opportunities, and build close connections within your cohort and across Rice’s broader MBA community — learning on campus in our beautiful, new state-of-the-art building, while leveraging one of Houston’s most robust professional networks.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of our Professional MBA earn promotions, secure new roles and transition to new industries, opening doors to high-impact roles in energy, consulting, financial services, tech and more. Recent grads earn an average base salary of $152,290 and work for employers like Amazon, HP, Wells Fargo, Apple, BP, Deloitte, Dell and J.P. Morgan.
The Rice Business alumni community is tight-knit and highly engaged, from Houston to around the globe. Tap into lifelong career support and resources, mentorship and opportunities to give back through leadership. For working professionals, this network accelerates practical outcomes: faster interviews, better insight into company cultures and real-time advice from peers.
Choosing the Professional MBA means advancing your career without pausing it, maximizing your immediate return on investment and long-term earning potential by maintaining your salary while you study. Review our resources on funding your MBA. Our responsive team will help you build a plan to pursue the degree with confidence while maintaining financial stability.
Whether you choose part-time or full-time, you’ll benefit from Rice’s distinguished reputation, expert faculty and a career-boosting curriculum. The Professional MBA is designed for working professionals who want to continue their careers while pursuing their MBA. It offers flexible evening or weekend classes.
The cost of the PMBA varies depending on the format. Detailed information about the tuition fees for both the evening and weekend formats can be found on our Tuition and Fees page.
Yes, Rice PMBA students have access to the same esteemed faculty, career development resources and networking opportunities (depending on schedule availability) as Full-Time MBA students.
Contact Us About the Professional MBA at Rice Business
Ready to experience the part-time Professional MBA program at Rice Business? Talk with our admissions team today to map a plan for immediate career impact and future career success.
