Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business today announced the launch of its Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management program, a 10-month, credit-bearing professional credential designed for current and aspiring leaders seeking deep expertise in the business of healthcare. Situated at the crossroads of Houston’s renowned Texas Medical Center and global healthcare innovation, the program blends rigorous business fundamentals with healthcare-specific strategy, operations and management. 

The Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management program complements Rice Business’ established MBA healthcare specialization and builds on the school’s growing suite of industry-focused offerings. The curriculum emphasizes practical application, peer networking and real-world insights through case studies, electives and engagement with industry partners. Certificate credits can also be applied toward Rice Business’ on-campus MBA, broadening students’ academic and professional pathways. 

“Healthcare is one of the most complex and rapidly evolving sectors of the global economy,” said Peter Rodriguez, the Houston Endowment Dean of Rice Business, which includes both the Jones Graduate School of Business and the Virani Undergraduate School of Business. “This new certificate program reflects our commitment to preparing bold leaders who can navigate change, drive operational excellence and make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes and organizational performance. Rice Business is uniquely positioned — through our location, faculty expertise and community partnerships — to equip professionals with the strategic skills required in today’s healthcare landscape.” 

The program is open to a diverse cohort of professionals including healthcare practitioners, managers and those looking to switch careers. Students benefit from access to Rice’s healthcare community, including alumni networks, industry events and experiential learning opportunities at the world’s largest medical complex, the Texas Medical Center. 

“Our healthcare certificate program was crafted to bridge the gap between business strategy and healthcare delivery,” said Shiva Sivaramakrishnan, the Henry Gardiner Symonds Professor of Accounting and academic director of healthcare programming. “Participants will gain actionable skills in areas such as value-based care, organizational leadership and healthcare finance, enabling them to lead high-performing teams and drive positive change across diverse healthcare settings.” 

The program also integrates opportunities for engagement beyond the classroom. Learners can connect with Rice’s broader healthcare ecosystem through workshops, industry talks, mentorship and community events. 

Applications for the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management program are now open. Interested candidates can find more information about admissions, curriculum and support services online here.

Rice University’s online graduate programs earned significant gains in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings, with strong upward movement across engineering, computing and business disciplines. The 2026 rankings underscore Rice’s growing national profile for delivering rigorous, high-impact graduate education in a flexible online format.

Rice’s Online Master of Computer Science (MCS) program surged to No. 3 nationally in the Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Programs category, jumping seven spots from last year’s No. 10 ranking. The program is ranked among the top online IT programs in the country and continues its rapid ascent since debuting in the rankings just a few years ago.

Launched in 2019 by Rice’s George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, the online MCS program is designed for working professionals seeking advanced technical expertise without pausing their careers. The curriculum blends foundational computer science with applied learning in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and cybersecurity, supported by close faculty engagement and individualized academic support.

“The continued momentum of our online MCS program reflects Rice’s focus on academic excellence and relevance in a fast-changing technological landscape,” said Scott Rixner, director of professional programs and professor in computer science. “Our students are gaining the skills and perspective needed to solve complex problems and lead innovation in their organizations, and it’s gratifying to see that work recognized at the national level.”

Rice Business also earned strong recognition across multiple online MBA categories. In the overall Best Online MBA Programs ranking, Rice Business placed No. 21, rising four spots from last year. The school also posted gains in several specialty areas:

• No. 6 Best Online Finance MBA Programs, up five spots
• No. 10 Best Online General Management MBA Programs
• No. 17 Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans

“Our online MBA programs are built around the same high standards, collaborative culture and global perspective that define the Rice Business experience on campus,” said Peter Rodriguez, dean of Rice Business. “These rankings reflect our commitment to developing principled leaders who can think broadly, act decisively and make an impact wherever their careers take them.”

The U.S. News rankings evaluate online degree programs nationwide based on factors such as student engagement, faculty credentials, services and technologies and outcomes related to affordability and completion. Only regionally accredited institutions offering fully online degree programs are considered.

“The strong performance of Rice’s online programs speaks to the value of combining flexibility with academic rigor,” said Shawn Miller, associate provost for digital learning and strategy. “Our students benefit from access to world-class faculty and thoughtfully designed programs that allow them to advance professionally while balancing work and life commitments. We’re proud to support learners who are preparing to lead in a rapidly evolving global economy.”

Applying to an MBA program is a big decision. No website, brochure or “day in the life” video can fully capture what it’s like to be a business student. That’s where student ambassadors come in.

Rice Business MBA student ambassadors offer one of the most valuable resources available to prospective MBA students: an honest, firsthand perspective. Whether you’re early in your research or preparing to submit an application before the next deadline, connecting with a current Rice MBA student can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Chat with an active Rice Business student

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Rice student ambassadors are immersed in the MBA experience right now. They can share what the workload is really like, what their class dynamics are like, and how they’re balancing academics, work or recruitment, and life outside the classroom. Plus, student ambassadors in the Full-Time MBA program can offer tips on prepping for recruitment, internships and full-time jobs.

These conversations offer candid insights you won’t find elsewhere: from favorite professors and top study spots to how to get involved and where to find the best late-night coffee.
 

Hear how an MBA can help you grow

Beyond the day-to-day student experience, ambassadors can help you think more clearly about your own goals and understand why they chose Rice for their MBA. By talking to someone who has been in your shoes, you’ll learn more about how the Rice MBA actively supports career growth, leadership development and personal transformation. 

Whether you’re looking to pivot industries, advance in your current role or sharpen your business expertise, hearing how current students are applying what they learn can help you envision your own path.
 

Strengthen your MBA application 

Talking to a student ambassador can help you submit a stronger, more informed application. Current students can offer guidance on how to articulate program fit and highlight your experiences. If you’re applying in the upcoming round or just preparing ahead of time, a second perspective can be extremely beneficial before submitting your application. 

Looking for other ways to sharpen your application? Check out our blog with tips for applying to a top MBA in 2025.

Hear why student ambassador Caroline Metts chose Rice:

Meet MBA students across programs

If you’re still deciding which program is right for you, MBA student ambassadors can help point you in the right direction. Rice Business offers student ambassadors representing a range of its top-ranked MBA programs. This includes the Full-Time, Professional (both weekend and evening), Hybrid and Online MBA. 

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Ambassadors can also offer insights to those with an MBA program already in mind. Chatting with someone whose trajectory, goals and routine align with your own can offer the most relevant and meaningful advice. 

No matter where you are in your journey to business school, meeting with a Rice MBA student ambassador is one of the most impactful steps you can take.

Ready to take the next step? Connect with a student ambassador today or learn more about our programs and culture to see why you belong here.

Meet MBA Student Ambassadors      Explore the Rice MBA 

Based on research by John Barry (Rice Business), Bruce Carlin (Rice Business), Alan Crane (Rice Business), and John Graham (Duke)

Key findings:

• A hurdle rate is the minimum return a project or deal must clear to receive approval.
• In finance classrooms, hurdle rates are typically taught as a decision-making tool.
• But in practice, firms use them strategically to shape negotiations during project development.

If you’ve taken a corporate finance class, you’re familiar with the logic behind investment decisions: a project creates value only if it earns more than the firm’s cost of capital.

To put that logic into practice, firms rely on a “hurdle rate” — the minimum return a project must clear to receive approval. If a firm’s hurdle rate is set at 15%, for example, a proposed investment expected to earn 14% may be rejected outright during evaluation.

According to new research, however, firms rarely use hurdle rates as neutral tools for making investment decisions. Rather, these rates are often set well above the cost of capital and play a more active role in how deals are negotiated, shaped and ultimately approved. 

A forthcoming article, co-authored by Rice Business professors John Barry, Bruce Carlin and Alan Crane, along with Duke professor John Graham, draws a sharp distinction between project evaluation and project development — a separation that rarely appears in finance models. 

In the finance classroom, costs and returns are often treated as fixed inputs, and the hurdle rate is used to evaluate whether a project is in or out. In practice, however, many investments take shape through negotiation. Prices, terms and even project scope are often still in flux as managers work with suppliers, customers or acquisition targets. In that setting, the hurdle rate is no longer just a screening threshold; it becomes a constraint that shapes the bargaining process.

“The hurdle rate becomes a line in the sand,” Barry says. “Managers can point to it and say, ‘If we can’t clear this, we can’t do the project.’”

Consider a firm developing a new production facility. In a textbook capital budgeting exercise, land, materials and construction are treated as fixed costs, and managers use a hurdle rate to evaluate whether the expected cash flows can justify them. In practice, however, those costs are not a given — they’re negotiated. When managers approach suppliers and landowners with a firm-wide hurdle rate in hand, the return threshold becomes a hard constraint; unless prices fall or terms improve, the project will not move forward. The hurdle rate, in other words, shapes the negotiation long before any spreadsheet delivers a final yes or no. 

To test this idea systematically, the researchers draw on multiple sources of evidence. Using surveys of CFOs, investment outcomes, and merger data, they show that elevated hurdle rates are not simply a conservative bias or a deviation from textbook finance. Instead, high hurdle rates function as an internal commitment, shaping how firms negotiate with suppliers, partners and acquisition targets and often improving the firm’s share of value in the deals it pursues.

Taken together, the approach allows the researchers to connect what firms say about their investment rules, how managers act on those rules inside the firm, and what outcomes materialize in negotiation. “The hurdle rate becomes a line in the sand,” Barry says. “Managers can point to it and say, ‘If we can’t clear this, we can’t do the project.’”

While much of the academic literature treats elevated hurdle rates as a distortion to be explained, this study, forthcoming in the Journal of Financial Economics, focuses on how they function as a strategic commitment with real consequences for bargaining. 

“What we teach in finance classes is really only step one,” says Barry. “The next step in being a great finance practitioner is thinking beyond the spreadsheet — not that the models we teach are wrong, but rather how the assumptions and methods we use shape decisions and incentives both within and outside the organization.”

For students, the lesson is not to abandon the textbook framework, but to recognize that it is not rigid. Understanding how these analytical tools operate within organizations — and how they guide choices long before a deal is ever signed — is part of what turns financial analysis into effective managerial practice.

Written by Scott Pett

Barry, Carlin, Crane, and Graham (2026). “Hurdle Rate Buffers and Bargaining Power in Asset Acquisition,” forthcoming in the Journal of Financial Economics.

Breanna Jackson has built a career at the intersection of sustainability and strategy, leading complex environmental remediation projects across the U.S. Now, she’s broadening her perspective and strengthening her strategic skills as a student in the Professional MBA Class of 2027. Continue reading to learn more about Breanna’s career, her experience in the Rice MBA program and her work to expand access to STEM education. 

Tell us a little about your career and background.

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Hometown: Aurora, Il (suburbs of Chicago) 

Education: B.S. in Civil Engineering, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: ExxonMobil, global planning advisor, sustainability – environmental solutions

Relevant Career Highlights or Industry Experience: I’m an environmental project manager at ExxonMobil with five years of experience delivering environmental operations and remediation projects across multiple U.S. regions. I began my career in New Jersey managing O&M systems and a retail portfolio, building a strong foundation in regulatory compliance, contractor oversight and operational execution. I then progressed into leading complex remediation initiatives exceeding $100M, where I drive site strategy, cost and schedule performance, and cross-functional collaboration to advance sustainable, long-term site outcomes. During my first semester in the MBA program, I transitioned into my current role supporting the environmental solutions director. 

What is a fun fact about you?

At the age of 17, I became a published author. This opportunity served as the catalyst for my passion for education. Since then, I have volunteered more than 100 hours in underfunded elementary schools to promote STEM education in minority communities. My commitment to advancing STEM education has continued through my participation in college and professional panels in New Jersey, Chicago and Houston. This dedication to giving back is supported by my employer, as I currently serve as a STEM Connect professional in partnership with a local HISD teacher to encourage minority middle school students to pursue STEM careers.

Why did you choose to attend business school?

While I have worked on some of the largest environmental remediation portfolios at ExxonMobil, I often found myself questioning how and why business leaders make strategic decisions. Attending business school allows me to broaden my perspective and better understand how leaders and managers think and act strategically on behalf of the corporation.

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Why did you choose Rice Business?

Rice Business is a well-recognized program in Texas and lies within the oil and gas industry. It is distinguished by its tight-knit, collaborative environment, and after a semester in the program, I can confidently say that this culture is genuine. I chose Rice because it challenges me academically, broadens my way of thinking and provides access to an unparalleled professional network.

Why did you choose our Professional MBA program?

As a college graduate during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, I yearned for an in-person academic experience. The Rice Professional MBA program allows me to continue working and advancing my career while also benefiting from the rigor, collaboration and engagement of a traditional classroom environment.

What student organizations have you joined and why? 

I have joined the Black Business Student Association (BBSA) and I serve as a brand ambassador for Forte. I chose to participate in these organizations because they provide valuable resources, mentorship and support that contribute to my success throughout my MBA journey.

What is your advice for current prospective students?

Pursuing an MBA is a huge investment in yourself. Do your research to see what program aligns with your goals both personally and professionally. 

Breanna Jackson is a Professional MBA student in the Class of 2027.

Owl Have You Know

Season 5, Episode 24

When it comes to working in military intelligence, strong leadership skills and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure are key. Just as important to a mission’s success is being a good team player.

Those were the lessons and skills Chris Stillwell ’24 carried into his two career pivots after his time working as a military intelligence officer for the U.S. Army. His first pivot landed him a role at Kearney in Dubai focusing on M&A integration and strategy consulting. Chris then decided to pursue an MBA at Rice Business to sharpen his financial skills and pivot once again into the world of investment banking.

Now an investment banking associate at Bank of America, Chris joins co-host Brian Jackson ’21 to discuss his military experience, why he chose Rice, how the program helped him make a major career transition, and his advice to those considering an MBA to pursue new career opportunities. 

Subscribe to Owl Have You Know on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

After nearly 25 years of leadership that helped shape Rice University’s role in entrepreneurship, Brad Burke will conclude his tenure leading the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and programming in the Ion District, Houston’s transformational innovation district, June 30.

“Brad’s impact on Rice extends far beyond any single program or initiative. He grew the Rice Alliance from a promising campus initiative into one of the most respected university-based entrepreneurship platforms,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. “We are deeply grateful for this lasting legacy, and we are confident in the leadership moving forward and the future of the Rice Alliance and the Ion District.”

During Burke’s tenure, Rice Business went from unranked in entrepreneurship to the No. 1 graduate entrepreneurship program by The Princeton Review for the past seven years and a top 20 entrepreneurship program in the U.S. News & World Report rankings for the past 14 years — landing in the top 10 the past four.

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“Brad didn’t just build programs — he built an ecosystem, a culture and a reputation for Rice that now resonates around the world,” Rice Business Dean Peter Rodriguez said. “Through his vision and steady leadership, Rice became a place where founders are taken seriously, ideas are rigorously supported and entrepreneurship is embedded in the fabric of the university.”

One of Burke’s most visible and enduring contributions is the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC). Under his leadership, the RBPC grew from nine student teams competing for $10,000 into the largest and richest intercollegiate student startup competition in the world, now welcoming 42 student startups competing annually for more than $1 million in prizes.

Beyond campus, Burke played a central role in building Houston’s energy entrepreneurial landscape. He helped establish a world-class energy venture conference and was instrumental in launching and growing Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week, now a cornerstone convening event.

“The Rice Alliance stands as a rare and enduring institution in the entrepreneurial support landscape,” said Adrian Trömel, interim vice president for innovation and chief innovation officer at Rice. “This steady leadership and commitment to building something designed to last is reflected in Brad’s rapid impact at the Ion, which has grown into a vibrant center for founders, partners and community members.”

Burke co-founded the Texas University Network for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2008 to bolster the entrepreneurship programs at every university in Texas. In 2016, the Rice Alliance assumed leadership of the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC), the preeminent university-based consortium designed to foster sharing of best practices.

Burke’s contributions and the Rice Alliance have been recognized both nationally and internationally with numerous awards, including the 2011 GCEC Nasdaq Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. In 2013 and 2014, Rice Alliance was recognized as the world’s best university startup incubator by UBI Index. In 2023, Burke received both the Trailblazer Award from Houston InnovationMap and was honored by the Deshpande Foundation for outstanding contributions to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education.

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Looking ahead, John (JR) Reale Jr. will serve as interim associate vice president and Rice Alliance executive director beginning April 15. Reale is a longtime Rice supporter, contributing more than 17 years on the Rice Alliance Advisory Board, and a lecturer at Rice Business who joined the Rice Alliance as managing director in 2025.

Reale co-founded Station Houston, which served as a thriving center of gravity for Houston’s startup ecosystem. Since then, through founding Integrated Capital and serving in various roles at the Texas Medical Center, he has invested in and advised countless startups, built teams and raised capital that has driven impact.

“The Rice Alliance has always been about helping founders gain advantages to realize their visions,” Reale said. “Under Brad’s leadership, the Rice Alliance has become a globally recognized platform that is grounded in trust and drives transformational founder outcomes. My commitment is to honor what Brad has built and led while continuing to serve our team and community, deepen relationships and deliver impact.”

Burke will remain at the Rice Alliance as an adviser to ensure a smooth transition until his retirement June 30.

“Working with an amazing team to build the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Rice, in Houston and beyond, has been the privilege of my career,” Burke said. “It has been extremely gratifying to hear entrepreneurs say our efforts changed their lives, while bringing new innovations to market. The organization is well-positioned to help drive exponential growth across startups, investors and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

With this leadership transition, the Rice Alliance and the Ion move forward on a strong foundation, supported by the university and many corporate partners.

Choosing your MBA program is about more than coursework and career outcomes. It’s about finding a place where you feel supported, connected and genuinely welcome. At Rice Business, that sense of support is part of everyday life. From small traditions to meaningful professional opportunities, our tight-knit community is built around showing up for one another.

Connection That Starts Early

One of the first things MBA students notice at Rice Business is how easy it is to connect. From the moment you speak with a recruiter to your first step on campus at Launch Week, our community is intentional about making connections — and growing them throughout the MBA and long after. 

Partios, our weekly Thursday “parties on the patio,” bring students across MBA programs together to catch up, relax and spend time with faculty, classmates and their families outside the classroom. It’s a great way to wind down after a long week of case studies, recruitment, competitions and more.
 

Finding Your People Through MBA Clubs

Spaces to Lead, Learn and Belong

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Rice Business offers a wide range of MBA student clubs and organizations that reflect different industries, interests and identities. Some students get involved to expand their skill set, attend speaker events or explore career paths. Others join to build community and support around shared experiences.

Many of our MBA students take on leadership roles in clubs, gaining practical experience while contributing to our school’s culture of support. Students build relationships beyond their immediate cohort — allowing them to feel connected across the broader Rice Business community.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Student-Led Competitions and the Houston Advantage

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Our community events are just the beginning of how Rice students give back. Much of what makes Rice Business special is created by the students themselves — like our numerous annual sold-out conferences and competitions. Through case competitions, conferences and experiential learning opportunities, students work in teams to apply what they are learning in real-world settings. 

Outside of McNair Hall, our students put their skills and knowledge to use in Houston’s global business community. The city offers access to a wide range of industries, organizations and community partners — allowing students to regularly engage with Houston-based companies and nonprofits through opportunities like Rice Business Board Fellows.

Hear how alum Sujeev Chittipolu '21 formed valuable connections through the Rice MBA program:

A Community That Gives Back

One tradition engrained in every Rice MBA? Lifelong involvement.

Rice Business alumni frequently return to campus to mentor students, speak in classes, support recruiting efforts or simply stay connected. Many are eager to help current students navigate their career decisions and open doors when they can. That ongoing engagement reminds our community members that they belong here — and that they’ll have support no matter where they want to go.

An MBA can be challenging, exciting and transformative all at once, which is why we intentionally built our community on collaboration and connection. It is a place where people know your name, support your goals and celebrate your progress along the way.

Explore the Rice MBA 
 

Leading in healthcare means understanding how strategy plays out in real systems, not just in theory. That’s why professionals come to Houston for their MBA. 

With direct access to the Texas Medical Center, a STEM-certified curriculum built around industry challenges and a network that spans hospitals, startups and global health organizations, Rice Business students receive a distinguished blend of business education and real-world healthcare expertise.

The Texas Medical Center Impact

Known as a healthcare powerhouse, Houston is powered by Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world. The TMC is home to more than 60 member institutions, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston Methodist and more. 

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Through active partnerships with organizations inside the Texas Medical Center, our students collaborate with hospital executives, clinical researchers and digital health pioneers. Rice MBAs gain not only visibility into high-impact healthcare challenges, but also the opportunity to contribute to critical solutions in areas like artificial intelligence in healthcare and patient-centered design.

Houston: Where Reputation Meets Research 

Choosing Rice means choosing a top-tier education in one of the most cost-effective major metros in the U.S. Houston’s affordability, combined with its robust healthcare economy, allows students to stretch their investment — while still accessing leadership opportunities often associated with pricier coastal cities.

And because Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the country, students also gain cultural fluency and insight that are vital for the healthcare industry’s evolving demands. Not to mention, our Rice Business faculty members, researchers and practitioners are globally recognized for their impact in healthcare.

The STEM-Certified Rice MBA

The Rice MBA’s healthcare-focused programming gives students the opportunity to apply rigorous business training directly to the challenges and innovations driving the healthcare sector today. 

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Our healthcare specialization gives students a focused academic track with access to courses like Healthcare Strategy, Life Science Entrepreneurship, and Healthcare Operations. These electives are designed to help students understand the nuances of the healthcare economy, from medical innovation to supply chain logistics.

Experiential Learning and Innovation in Healthcare

The Rice MBA curriculum strongly emphasizes learning by doing. Rice MBA students engage in hands-on learning through experiential labs, like the Healthcare Strategy Lab and Healthcare Innovation & Entrepreneurship Lab, which allow MBA students to work on business challenges with Houston-based hospitals, biotech firms and digital health startups.

On top of coursework, students in healthcare frequently leverage entrepreneurship programs on campus. At the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Rice MBA students have access to mentorship, prototyping resources and early-stage funding, through opportunities like Venture Development Workshops and Launchpad. For students building diagnostic devices or testing a go-to-market strategy for a medtech platform, Lilie is ready to help them scale.

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The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship further connects MBA students to Houston’s expansive healthcare startup and investor network. Signature events like the Texas Life Science Forum bring together venture capitalists, researchers and founders to showcase cutting-edge innovation in biotech, pharmaceuticals and digital health. Rice MBA students play an active role in these events — from evaluating startups to networking with industry leaders.

Rice Alliance also partners with the Texas Medical Center Innovation Institute, allowing Rice MBA students to work with startups on everything from financial modeling to growth strategy.

Ready To Lead With a Rice MBA?

With unmatched access to the Texas Medical Center, a robust healthcare curriculum and a city primed for innovation, Rice delivers an MBA experience that’s immersive, entrepreneurial and globally relevant.

Explore how the Rice MBA prepares the next generation of healthcare leaders — and discover how you can be one of them.
 

Explore the Rice MBA