Why University of Pittsburgh?
University of Pittsburgh accepts applications for an online program leading to the degree of Master of Business Administration. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this very large public research university in administers the program through its Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business.
There is no set admission criterion regarding prior job experience; nonetheless, the applicant’s professional expertise and commercial success potential will be taken into account. Applicants are required to take the GRE or GMAT and submit their scores. Those with substantial relevant work experience may be eligible for exemption. The minimum necessary GPA is 3.25.
Program Snapshot
| University Name | University of Pittsburgh |
| Location | Pittsburgh |
| State | PA |
| Niche.com Grade | A |
| Name of Degree | Master of Business Administration |
| School or Department Administering Program | Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business |
| Credits | 45 |
| Cost per credit | $1,526.00 |
| Tuition for Entire Program | $68,670.00 |
| Test Requirements | GRE or GMAT (waiver available for those with extensive professional experience) |
| Minimum GPA | 3.25 |
| Prerequisite Courses and Skills | none |
| Campus Visit Required? | yes |
| Typical Time to Complete | 2-3 years |
| When Can Students Start the Program? | January |
| Program Concentrations |
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| Synchronous classes | yes |
| Required Courses |
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| Does the Program Include a Capstone? | yes |
| Does the program include a practicum or internship? | no |
| Other Features that Make the Program Unique | synchronous classes scheduled in evenings; cohort model adds convenience; 2 required residency weekends: 1. orientation, team building and quantitative training 2. integrated learning experience |
| Program Description | This degree requires 45 credits of coursework. Students complete a required in-person residency workshop course to consolidate and extend the knowledge learned throughout the program. There is no internship or practicum requirement. Most students complete the program within 2-3 years. 8 concentration areas are offered: accounting, business analytics, finance, management of information systems, marketing, organizational behavior, supply chain/ operations management, and preparation for doctoral studies. |
What will I Learn?
At the outset of the curriculum, students focus on introductory material in courses such as Financial Accounting, Statistical Analysis: Uncertainty and Economic Analysis For Managerial Decision: Firms And Markets. They learn to apply managerial skills to a range of problems and contexts in Financial Management 1, Marketing Management, and Organizational Behavior: Leadership And Group Effectiveness. Technological underpinnings of modern management are covered in Information Systems and Decision Technology in Manufacturing and Operations Management. In-depth conversations occur in Business Ethics and Social Performance and a course in Strategic Management. In addition to the residency capstone, discussed below, students are also required to take two additional professional-level electives.
Students are required to attend two on-campus residencies which are taken for credit. In the first residency, students gain an orientation to the program, network with classmates, and take quantitative skills workshops. In the second residency, they participate in an integrative case study capstone experience.
Students can choose to specialize in one of the following concentrations: accounting, business analytics, finance, management of information systems, marketing, organizational behavior, supply chain / operations management, and doctoral studies
How much will the program cost?
The program costs $1,526.00 per credit, and 45 credits are required. The total cost of the degree is just under $68,670.00 for the entire degree. Most students take 2-3 years to finish their studies.
How does the program fit into my life?
Class meetings are held once a week at a predetermined time via video conference for all courses. The curriculum follows a lockstep paradigm in which all students in a cohort complete the same courses in the same order (with the exception of electives and concentration courses), making this program less flexible than its peers. There are also a pair of mandatory campus visits embedded in the curriculum.
Students can begin the program at any time during the year (but must begin by January) and finish it within two to three years. This degree track was created with the idea that working adults might complete it in their spare time. Participants often work full-time while enrolled in school.
Summary
Prospective students should know that the curriculum follows a strict, sequential format based on a cohort learning paradigm. Students who are unsure about their academic interests may not benefit from this approach, despite its advantages (including the chance to get to know their peers and less time spent on paperwork and logistics).
The two on-campus residencies are a selling point for many applicants, but they may be a burden for others. Similarly, all students in the program should be familiar with the time commitment involved in taking synchronous evening courses. Although the program’s price tag is higher than that of many of its contemporaries, the benefits it provides are substantial.
