Frequently Asked Questions

An MBA from Rice is more than a credential — it’s an investment in yourself with a proven return. Our Executive MBA offers the advanced knowledge and coaching required for executive roles, backed by the prestige and ROI of a top-ranked business school. Learn more about the long-term value of the top Executive MBA in Houston, Texas. 

And you don’t have to just take our word for it. You can get to know our students and alumni to learn more about the impact of Rice on their careers.

While we don’t publish an official acceptance rate for the Executive MBA program, what’s most important to know is that we take a holistic approach to admissions. We consider each applicant’s unique combination of professional experience, academic background, leadership potential and personal story. 

If you’re driven, curious and ready to take the next step in your career, you belong here. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply — you don’t need to be perfect on paper to make a powerful impact in the program and beyond. 

Start your application today.

To apply to the Rice Executive MBA, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, professional work experience and materials like a resume, essays and recommendations. We accept the GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment — but tests are not required for the Executive MBA program. 

Our admissions process is designed to get to know the full you — not just your test scores. We’re looking for curious, driven professionals who are ready to grow.

View our full admissions guide.

While the core steps of the application process are similar to other MBA programs — such as submitting a resume, essays and recommendations — the Executive MBA admissions process is tailored for more experienced professionals. 

We look for candidates with 10 or more years of professional experience, often with increasing levels of management or leadership responsibility. The strength of the EMBA program lies not only in the curriculum but in the richness of the classroom experience — where students learn just as much from each other’s real-world insights as they do from faculty. For that reason, we build a diverse cohort of experienced professionals from a wide range of industries and functions. 

Another key difference: We do not require GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment (EA) scores, given the depth of experience EMBA candidates bring. However, applicants are welcome to submit test scores if they feel it would strengthen their application. 

If you’re considering the Rice EMBA, we strongly recommend scheduling time with a recruiter to help determine whether it's the right fit for your background, goals and experience.

View our full admissions guide.

We do not require GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment (EA) scores, given the depth of experience EMBA candidates bring. However, applicants are welcome to submit test scores if they feel it would strengthen their application.

View our full admissions guide.

The Rice Executive MBA is structured to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals while maintaining a rigorous academic experience. Classes typically meet on campus every other Friday and Saturday, allowing you to plan around a predictable schedule. 

We understand that travel and work obligations can occasionally conflict with class weekends. While consistent attendance is expected to ensure a strong cohort experience and academic success, we recognize that conflicts may arise. 

In those cases, students are encouraged to communicate in advance with faculty and program staff. Many courses offer recorded sessions, asynchronous materials or makeup options, and the program team works closely with students to help them stay on track. 

That said, the EMBA at Rice Business is a rigorous, team-based program, and we recommend planning ahead as much as possible to minimize disruptions. Your classmates and learning teams will be relying on your active participation. 

We encourage you to connect with a recruiter to discuss how the EMBA program can fit with your schedule. 

Connect with a recruiter today.

Tuition for the Rice Executive MBA is $152,250 total over the 22-month program. This cost covers the complete 22-month schedule of course work, including textbooks for all core classes, program materials, on-campus parking, light meals before class, resources at Fondren Library and hotel stays during the first and last intensive weeks. Additional fees and expenses apply — e.g. our optional weekend residency fee and health insurance.

Explore full tuition details and financial aid options.

The Rice Executive MBA is structured to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals while maintaining a rigorous academic experience. Classes typically meet on campus every other Friday and Saturday, allowing you to plan around a predictable schedule. 

In a typical month, you can expect: 

• Two in-person class weekends (Friday and Saturday, all day)
• Pre-reading, assignments and team collaboration between sessions
• Executive Seminars or Forums scheduled at key points in the semester
• Occasional evening or virtual sessions, depending on the course

Outside of class, you’ll spend time engaging with your learning team, completing assignments and applying concepts directly to your work environment. The program is designed to be challenging but manageable for professionals balancing career, family and school. 

We encourage you to connect with a recruiter to discuss how the EMBA program can fit with your schedule.

Yes. The Executive MBA curriculum is specifically designed for experienced professionals looking to expand their impact at the senior or executive level. The program emphasizes strategic thinking, executive presence and cross-functional leadership, with coursework and experiences tailored to the challenges of leading in complex, dynamic environments. 

Key elements include Leadership and Strategy Executive Forums — immersive, five-day intensives that bookend each academic year and help shape an executive mindset, including global perspectives through international travel. In the first year, core courses develop analytical rigor and functional depth across economics, business analytics, finance, marketing and operations. Throughout the program, Executive Seminars help students refine key leadership skills such as communication, negotiation, team dynamics and executive coaching — culminating in a C-suite-level focus on culture, ethics and governance. 

It’s a curriculum built not just to teach — but to transform experienced leaders. 

Learn about our EMBA curriculum here.

Yes, in your third semester of the program, you’ll have the opportunity to customize your MBA experience by selecting from a set of electives. These courses allow you to either deepen your general management expertise or focus on more advanced topics in specific areas aligned with your interests and career goals.

Learn more about our courses here.

Yes. The Rice Executive MBA program includes a global component through the Executive Global Forum, a signature experience in the final semester. This unique opportunity allows students to engage with international businesses, immerse themselves in local culture and work hands-on to solve complex business challenges in emerging markets. 

Through a mix of lectures and seminars with industry leaders and collaboration on an international consulting project, students apply what they’ve learned to support real-world business needs abroad — gaining valuable insight into global strategy and cross-cultural leadership along the way. 

Learn about our curriculum here.

Your classmates in the Rice Executive MBA program will be accomplished professionals with an average of 10-plus years of work experience, often holding significant leadership or management roles. The cohort is typically made up of about 60 students from a wide range of industries, including energy, healthcare, finance, technology and consulting — creating a diverse and dynamic learning environment. 

What unites them is a shared goal: to grow as strategic leaders and expand their impact. The diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in the cohort is a defining strength of the program — offering rich opportunities for peer learning, collaboration and lasting professional connections. 

Check out our class profile info here and get to know a few of our EMBA alums here.

Rice Business offers a range of MBA formats to meet students where they are in their careers and lives — including our Full-Time, Evening, Weekend, Hybrid, Online and Executive MBA programs. 

The Executive MBA is designed for more experienced executives and senior managers who have at least 10 years of work experience with several years of management experience. Our EMBA students want to broaden their perspective and network while sharpening their leadership skills. The program is part-time, with classes all day on Friday and Saturday, every other weekend. 

Not sure which format is right for you?

Take our MBA program fit quiz.