When deciding to further your business education, there are many things to consider. At the University of Kentucky, our MBA program provides the support you need to enhance your skill set and develop the clarity and confidence needed to succeed. Whether you are beginning your journey or looking to grow in your career, we meet you where you are and get you where you need to be.
The UK Full-Time MBA program is designed with you in mind. Over the course of a single year, our customized program yields advanced learning on an advanced timeline. Aspiring MBA candidates receive high-quality instruction and real-world experiential learning tailored to their needs and goals, from necessary hard skills to often overlooked soft skills. Our accelerated program ensures an educational experience where each day adds value, and every student sees an immediate return on investment.
"Pursuing my MBA has been one of the best decisions I ever made for my career, especially with the hands-on approach of the program at UK."
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Our individualized curriculum paves the way for your success, providing the knowledge and tools necessary to become leaders in thriving careers. Guided by attentive and responsive faculty, our program goes beyond general business management knowledge, emphasizing strategic problem solving and leadership development to help you stand out in your career. Additionally, you can explore through customizable electives, allowing you to personalize your curriculum for your desired goals and careers.
| Summer | Fall | Spring | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-week Module | 8-week Module | 1st 8-week Module | 2nd 8-week Module | 1st 8-week Module | 2nd 8-week Module | |
| Business Management Fundamentals | Business Analytics | Managerial Economics | Accounting | Corporate Finance | ||
| Marketing Management | Supply Chain Strategy | |||||
| Leadership Lab | Leadership | Assessments, Coaching, Feedback | Managing Effective Organizations | Global Management | ||
| Problem Solving Lab | Business Policy & Strategy | Consulting Cases, Problem Solving (Project Connect I) | Consulting Cases, Problem Solving (Project Connect II) | |||
| Career Focused Electives | 1 Elective Course | 3 Elective Courses | ||||
| Career Guidance & Coaching | Professional Development | On-going Career Coaching | On-going Career Coaching | |||
Download Table and Course Descriptions
"The MBA program at Gatton prepared me for the real world business journey. Not only did the curriculum focus on improving our business acumen, it also emphasized the importance of being an impactful and valuable leader."
A unique aspect of our Full-Time MBA program is Project Connect, our experiential learning consulting practicum that enables our candidates to hone and strengthen their strategic problem solving, teaming, and communication skill sets while working on real‐world business challenges and opportunities. Project Connect takes place in the fall and spring semesters.
"Project Connect was incredibly helpful in not only connecting with classmates, but also getting direct experience as an engineer. This was both a great opportunity to add additional experience to my resume and learn what project management would look like post-graduation."
Our program seeks bright, motivated candidates that have demonstrated leadership initiative and are driven to make a positive impact in their selected field as well as their communities.
The Full-Time MBA starts in late May of each year. Applicants must complete the following application requirements to be considered for admission into the degree program. Incomplete files will not be reviewed. Once the application is complete, it will be reviewed by the MBA Admissions Committee within two weeks of submission. Considered candidates will be requested to interview with committee before a decision is finalized. To confirm a spot in the program, accepted candidates must return both their statement of acceptance and seat deposit.
(Priority Admissions for Scholarship Consideration)
Round 1 - Oct 15
Round 2 - Dec 1
Round 3 - Jan 15
Round 4 - March 1
April 19
January 15
Complete an online application and submit the application fee. An application is considered complete/ready for review once all supporting documents have been received by the University of Kentucky Graduate School.
**Please note, there may be additional items on the Graduate School Application such as a 'Professional Writing Sample', that is NOT required for your MBA application. If you have questions, please email Karla.Schiebel@uky.edu.
International candidates in the program must take at least nine credit hours per semester in order to maintain the full-time student status. Candidates may apply for a reduced course load the last semester.
For more information, consult our International FAQ
While submission of GRE/GMAT scores is recommended, interested candidates for our Full-Time One-Year MBA program may request a test waiver from the MBA Admissions Committee.
To qualify, one (or more) of the following qualifications must be met for consideration:
To be considered for a GRE/GMAT waiver, candidates submit their graduate school application for review. Under the personal statement section, add a second answer which lists a brief position statement on the GRE/GMAT waiver so the MBA Admissions Committee can review. All waivers granted by the MBA Admissions Committee must be approved by the University of Kentucky Graduate School. Please note, the GRE or GMAT is required for scholarship consideration.
Click for more information about the GRE and GMAT exams.
A waiver in no way guarantees admission to the MBA program.
| Fall 2025 | Application Deadline | Notification Date |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | October 15 | October 30 |
| Round 2 | December 1 | December 15 |
| Round 3 | January 15 | January 30 |
| Round 4 | March 1 | March 14 |
| Final Deadline | April 19 | April 30 |
| International Students | January 15 |
Note: Applicants are admitted on a rolling basis. Priority admission and scholarships are based on those who apply early.
Now that you know the admission and application requirements, you are ready to start your application to the UK MBA Program. You can save your progress and return to your application as needed until you are ready to submit it.
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We look forward to answering any questions and guiding you through this process.
Once admitted into the MBA program, all incoming MBA candidates are required to successfully complete MBA Math and an Economics tutorial training to prepare for our program. The cost for MBA Math is $105 per candidate and takes approximately thirty hours to complete. The training for Economics is free and takes less than 10 hours to complete.
"Enrolling in the One Year MBA program was the best decision I’ve made. Many of my closest friendships were formed during my time in the program. The network of support and ample opportunity, that continue beyond graduation, separates the program from others."
At UK, we understand the value of your time, especially for those who join us as working professionals. Because of this, our accelerated program allows you to enter or reenter the workforce faster than most MBA programs, providing an even quicker return on investment.
Likewise, our tuition reflects this timeline, meaning you will be free to focus on your growth instead of the financial burden that often comes with furthering an education.
Cost of Attendance Tuition and Fees
While the UK Full-Time MBA prides itself on its affordability, we understand this is not the case for every student.
Typically, over 50% of our cohort receives scholarship based on merit. All applications received by the priority scholarship deadline will be considered for scholarship awards. Our scholarship review process is holistic in nature with emphasis on the following factors: undergraduate academic performance, entrance exam (GMAT or GRE) performance, leadership initiative, and quality of work experience (either internship or post graduate experience). Candidates who apply after this date will also be considered through April 1st as funds remain available. No separate application is required; however, candidates will be asked to participate in an interview before the final granting of scholarship awards.
Refunds
Students can find tuition refund policies, deadlines, amounts, and other important information on the Student Account Services website.
As a Full-Time MBA candidate, you will jumpstart your MBA journey with a professional career development course – MBA 630. This course includes:
We provide comprehensive support and guidance to all graduate candidates throughout their time at the Gatton College of Business and Economics.
The Professional Resource Center (PRC) offers comprehensive career support services to all Gatton College of Business and Economics MBA and MS students. Students receive assistance in everything needed to launch a successful career during and after graduation, from resume development and job searches to LinkedIn profile buildout and interview preparation.
As you make your way through the UK Full-Time MBA program, our team of faculty and staff will also be available for guidance, advice, and networking assistance, allowing you to make use of their valuable experience in and out of the classroom.
As a candidate in our Full-Time MBA program, you will have the opportunity to learn from and network with business leaders in various industries. You will gain real-world experience while building indispensable connections through:
You will also have the option to participate in two workshop certification programs, allowing you to differentiate yourself in the workplace further. These include:
Through the UK MBA program, students build successful careers in industries across the globe.
Jacob Westover
Gatton College of Business and Economics
Director of MBA Admissions and Recruitment
(859) 257-9127
jacob.westover@uky.edu
Yingnan Song
International Recruiter
International Affairs
gattonintl@uky.edu
