Beyond business acumen, emphasis on leadership development and problem solving skills to help you stand out and excel in your career.
Dedicated course, coaching, assessments, and networking to help you find your path and land your desired role.
We believe an MBA should be affordable and provide immediate benefits, why our Full-Time MBA is ranked #1 for return on investment (ROI).
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.
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We live in a global interconnected economy. This workshop aids our candidates with the knowledge and skills to more effectively work and manage across cultures.
Project management is a fundamental skill for future managers and leaders. This workshop aids our candidates with knowledge and skills to design and manage successful projects. Training hours count towards CAPM certification from PMI.
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.
The focus on leadership development happens throughout our candidates’ experience in our program. Leveraging a series of interrelated courses, assessments, applied learning, and coaching our candidates strengthen their ability to lead themselves, their effectiveness working with others, and how to get the most out of their teams as future managers and leaders.
As a Full-Time MBA candidate, you will jumpstart your MBA journey with a professional career development course – MBA 630. This course includes:
Self-exploration – through assessments, self-discovery, and guidance, our candidates gain a stronger understanding of their strengths, interests, and motivations.
Career exploration – building on self-exploration, our candidates gain exposure and insight into different MBA career paths, enabling the fit with their passions, personal strengths, and ambitions.
Dedicated coaching and guidance – throughout our candidates’ MBA experience they have dedicated coaching to guide them, along with resume and interviewing preparation to position them for success for their first role out of our program.
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.
We provide comprehensive support and guidance to all graduate candidates throughout their time at the Gatton College of Business and Economics.
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:
The Graduate Center (GC) 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.
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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.
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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.
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.
Begin Your Application
1. Resume or CV
2. Unofficial transcripts from all postsecondary education
Please upload all transcripts related to postsecondary education (including masters and professional degrees if applicable). Applicants should possess a four-year bachelors degree (or its equivalent) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. If admitted, the Graduate School will require official copies of the transcripts.
3. Two Letters of Recommendation
Note: One Letter should be from a current or former employer
4. Personal Statement
Please write a brief essay (500-700 words) that address the following questions:
Considering your professional goals, why are you pursuing an MBA?
Why do you believe the University of Kentucky's MBA program is a good fit for you?
What do you perceive to be your unique strengths that will help you succeed in our program as well as professionally in your career?
**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 jacob.westover@uky.edu.
English Proficiency waivers can be offered to candidates who earned their bachelors' degrees from other U.S. universities and/or institutions that will document that all of their instruction was in English.
Minimum TOEFL score is 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based). The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. The TOEFL Institution Code for the UK Graduate School is 1837.
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:
1 or more years of work experience post undergraduate degree, and undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher at an accredited university.
3 or more years of military service with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher at an accredited university.
Undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher in a business or STEM major at an accredited university.
Hold a master's or a doctorate in a business or STEM field or a JD from an accredited university or be enrolled in such a program.
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.
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.
Note: Applicants are admitted on a rolling basis. Priority admission and scholarships are based on those who apply early.
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:
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.
Individual appointments are available for assistance with our team of financial aid counselors
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Reserve: To reserve your spot in the program a non-refundable $500 deposit is required and will be applied to the first semester’s tuition.
Tuition: Your tuition will not increase while continuously enrolled, however mandatory fees are subject to change.
Course materials: Course materials will cost approximately $2,500 over the course of the program.
Residency Status: Specifics regarding determination of residency status are available from the UK Registrar’s Office Residency Policy. (Learn More)
Many UK MBA students utilize the comprehensive resources available from the UK Office of Student Financial Aid, including federal student loan programs.
Students can find tuition refund policies, deadlines, amounts, and other important information on the Student Account Services website.
The University of Kentucky Graduate School provides various funding opportunities for graduate students through fellowships, assistantships, and support funding.
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