Full Time MBA

The Right MBA for You.

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.

At the University of Kentucky, members of our MBA community make positive contributions to their chosen fields and their fellow cohort members.

Our program builds a tight-knit group of individuals who accompany each other on this journey. The ideal candidate is thoughtful and driven, wanting to develop further their leadership skills and the initiative to expand their tool belt.

For a more detailed understanding of our specific admissions requirements, schedule a 1:1 session with our team.

We look forward to answering any questions and guiding you through this process.

  • Graduate School Application and application fee
  • GMAT or GRE: The Institution Code for the UK Graduate School is 1837
  • Resume or CV
  • Undergraduate transcripts: Minimum undergraduate GPA requirement is 2.75
  • One Letter of Recommendation
  • Personal Statement: Write a personal statement (500 words or less) about your career goals. Include how you anticipate you will grow and change as a person, a professional, and a leader in your time as an MBA student in order to help you achieve your career goals. Consider: What mindset will you need to succeed during your MBA experience? How will you contribute to the Gatton College as a student and alumni? How will you contribute to your future employer, community, and society?

International candidates are required to submit all application requirements above and a demonstration of English proficiency.

  • TOEFL / IELTS accepted. 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.
  • TOEFL / IELTS waiver can be offered to candidates who earned their bachelors' degrees from other U.S. universities.
  • An interview with the admissions committee is required.

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, contact Yingnan Song.

  • Once the application fee and all supporting materials are submitted for consideration, application files are reviewed by the MBA Admissions Committee.
  • Candidates may be requested to sit for an interview prior to a decision being finalized.
  • Applications are processed on a rolling basis and recommendations are typically made to the Graduate School within one month from submission.
  • To confirm spot in the UK MBA accepted candidates must return both their statement of acceptance and seat deposit.

All incoming MBA candidates are required to successfully complete MBA Math and an Economics training to prepare for our program. Once accepted applicants confirm their acceptance into our program, additional information will be shared for MBA Math and the Economics training. The cost for MBA Math is $100 per candidate and takes approximately thirty hours to complete. The training for Economics is free and takes less than 10 hours to complete.

Application Deadlines

Domestic candidates
May 11

International candidates
April 1

Scholarship Deadlines

Priority Review
January 1

Final Deadline
April 1

GRE and GMAT Information

GRE Exam
GMAT Exam
GMAT/GRE Waiver Policy

The UK Full-Time MBA is focused on personal development and individual growth, providing experiences that help you further your ability to think and act strategically. Throughout the year-long program, you will be given the unique opportunity to partner with leading organizations to tackle various real-world problems.

This immersive experiential learning project will provide you with the practical experience and the confidence necessary to take on new challenges. Likewise, it will allow you to develop and hone invaluable relationships with seasoned mentors.

Current and Previous Sponsors

Alltech
 
Brown-Forman
 
Cintas
 
Deloitte
GE Appliances/Haier
 
Habitat for Humanity
Tempur Sealy
 
University of Kentucky Healthcare
Valvoline

Career Benefits

  • Real-world training
  • Apply business theory
  • Improve interpersonal skills
  • Network with executives
  • Gain resume-strengthening experience

Our individualized curriculum paves the way for your success, providing the knowledge and tools necessary to become leaders in thriving careers. Guided by an attentive and responsive faculty, you will master the skill sets required to succeed in various roles in any industry. You can explore through customizable electives, allowing you to personalize your curriculum for your desired goals and careers.

During the Summer term, you will take ten credit hours.

A study of key problem formulation and solution procedures in business decision making. The topics studied include statistical techniques integrated in decision-making under uncertainty, decision trees, queuing problems, and the value of information. A major segment of the course is devoted to studying linear programming problems, sensitivity analysis, assignment problems, and transportation problems.

Analysis of applications of economic theory to management decision making. Such problems as demand and cost determination, pricing, and capital budgeting are treated.

Political, historical, and philosophical perspectives on the meaning and processes of top management leadership. Applications of leadership perspective to the development of organizational culture, ethics and values, stakeholder relations, business-government relations, and competitiveness.

MBA 630 is a one-credit-hour course that provides a systematic and comprehensive career development process. candidates will have the opportunity to clarify their career objectives and build a customized job search plan.

During the Fall semester, you will take 22 credit hours, including six credit hours of approved MBA electives.

This course is designed to provide candidates with an understanding of the role of the marketing function in an organization; the types of marketing decisions and analytical procedures involved in making each decision; the overall marketing planning process; and the impact of the social, economic, and legal environment on marketing decisions.

This course examines the problems of managing a business enterprise which spans international boundaries. candidates will develop an understanding of the political, social, economic, and technological factors driving globalization and will consider the impact of these forces on competition, markets, industry structure, and organization.

A study of the application of accounting information and services in the recognition or solution of management problems in business.

A study of financial management from the viewpoint of the corporate financial officer. Areas studied include capital budgeting, capital structure, financing decisions, working capital management, dividend policy, and mergers and acquisitions.

Consulting Projects is a team-based experiential learning course where student teams are paired with a company or organization to work on a project of importance to said company or organization. The fall semester project may encompass a variety of topics under the umbrella of growth strategy, including; new product introduction, branding, marketing plan development, customer experience, and other topics relating to a company’s growth in the marketplace.

During the Spring semester, you will take 19 credit hours, including six credit hours of approved MBA electives.

An immersive study of supply chain management involves managing key business processes, the flow of goods and information, and relationships with fellow supply chain members. Open only to Full-Time MBA candidates.

A critical examination of behavior and performance within organizations and between organizations. Special attention is paid to the performance problem at the individual, group, and formal organizational levels.

Strategic issues associated with multi-industry, multi-national, multi-business, and start-up management; strategy implementation and institutionalization; planning systems.

Consulting Projects is a team-based experiential learning course where student teams are paired with a company or organization to work on a project of importance to said company or organization. The spring semester project may encompass a variety of topics under the operations improvement umbrella, including; inventory management, production, logistics, and other topics related to a company’s operating performance.

You can personalize your experience by choosing from various electives, ensuring your learning journey makes the most sense.

  • Analytics (concentration)
  • Entrepreneurship (concentration)
  • Finance
  • Management / Human Resources
  • Marketing
  • Supply Chain

Career Advantages

  • Leadership Development
  • Creative Problem-Solving Skills
  • Critical & Strategic Thinking Techniques
  • Soft Skill Development
    • (e.g., interpersonal communication, emotional intelligence)
  • Experiential Learning
  Kentucky Resident Non-Resident
One Year MBA Tuition $35,525 $42,299
Mandatory Fees $1,544 $1,544
Approximate Total Cost $37,069 $43,843

Tuition is billed according to the schedule below:

  Kentucky Resident Non-Resident
Summer Term $7,074.40 $8,423.30
Fall Semester $14,997.30 $17,709.65
Spring Semester $14,997.30 $17,709.65
Approximate Total $37,069 $43,843
     

Tuition

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.

Scholarships

While the UK Full-Time MBA prides itself on its affordability, we understand this is not the case for every student.

As such, a small number of limited and competitive scholarships are available. All applications received by the priority scholarship deadline will be considered for scholarship awards. 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.

Financial Assistance

Refunds
Students can find tuition refund policies, deadlines, amounts, and other important information on the Student Account Services website.

Items to Note

  • To reserve your spot in the program a non-refundable $500 deposit is required and will be applied to the first semester’s tuition.
  • Your tuition will not increase while continuously enrolled, however mandatory fees are subject to change. Please refer to the UK Registrar for the most up to date information on tuition and fees.
  • If electing our online option, a distance learning fee of $10/credit hour will be applied.
  • Course materials will cost approximately $2,500 over the course of the program.
  • Specifics regarding determination of residency status are available from the UK Registrar’s Office Residency Policy.
  • Any fully online courses will be charged the applicable resident tuition rate regardless of residency status.

Career

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.

The Graham Office of Career Management offers this course, which provides comprehensive support and guidance to all graduate candidates throughout their time at the Gatton College of Business and Economics.

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.

Networking and Leadership Opportunities

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:

Workshops and Certificate Programs

You will also have the option to participate in three certification programs, allowing you to differentiate yourself in the workplace further. These include:

  • Cultural Awareness for Global Business Workshop - This workshop program is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to understand, work and flourish in and with cultures other than their own. Whether it be collaborating with peers, managing others, or leading groups, cultural awareness is becoming an increasingly important trait in the workforce.
  • Project Management Workshop – This workshop program provides participants with working knowledge of Project Management and Agile Management practices. Participants will gain an understanding of what project management is in general, waterfall concepts, agile concepts, terms, tools, and techniques to manage projects effectively.

Through the UK MBA program, students build successful careers in industries across the globe.

Alumni Career Success

Jonathan Beatty
Founder and Chief Bookman
Servonta

Victoria Russell
Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Beam Suntory

Marilyn West
Walt Disney World Ambassador
Walt Disney World

Alumni of the UK MBA go on to wide variety of successful career endeavors around the world.

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