Get Ahead with UC Riverside’s Online MBA Program

The Online Master of Business Administration Program program provides an MBA experience tailored for flexibility and accessibility through a fully online delivery mode. It allows students to earn an MBA degree remotely, accommodating working professionals, individuals with geographical constraints, or those balancing personal responsibilities. The Online MBA is suitable for a broad range of students, including emerging managers seeking advanced skills without career interruption, international students pursuing a UC MBA, and professionals needing a more accessible pathway to graduate education.

The Online MBA program admits new students for enrollment in fall, winter, or spring. No specific undergraduate major or course work is required for admission, though preparation in quantitative methods (such as calculus and statistics) is strongly encouraged. Students who do not have adequate quantitative preparation at the time of admission will need to complete preparatory coursework in mathematics in addition to the courses required for the degree.

Further information may be obtained by contacting the UCR School of Business, Graduate Programs Office. Students interested in pursuing the Online MBA degree must have earned a BA, or its equivalent, with training comparable to that provided by the University of California. Evaluation of the applicant’s file for admission to the Online MBA degree program is similar to that of the Professional Master of Business Administration Program Track-2 and will consist of an integrated assessment of all materials (test scores, transcripts of previous academic work, essays, and letter(s) of recommendation). In addition, applicants must have at least three years of professional work experience. Admission to the Online MBA program is made based on a holistic 2 assessment of the applicant’s background and achievements, including academic preparedness (mandatory undergraduate GPA and optional GMAT/GRE scores), professional and/or academic experiences including extra-curricular activities, recommenders’ opinions and supporting evidence, written and oral communication, leadership potential, and overcoming adversity. Although submitting GMAT/GRE score is optional, a superior GMAT/GRE score may help offset weakness in other evidence of academic preparation and can enhance funding considerations. Not submitting GMAT/GRE score does not reduce an applicant’s chances of being admitted if their GPA is 3.0 or better.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit acceptable scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System. Applicants must submit at least one letter of recommendation from individuals who can attest to their professional and leadership skills and to their potential for business leadership. All other application requirements are specified in the graduate application or in the General UCR catalog.

Full-Time Status: Online MBA students are required to register for at least 8 units per quarter to maintain full-time status.

Normative time: 24-36 months

Further information may be obtained by contacting the Graduate Programs Office at the School of Business.

Course Work: The Online MBA course work is identical to the Professional Master of Business Administration Program (Professional MBA) Track-2 (See Professional MBA Track-2 section of the catalog for more details).

A Flexible MBA That Can Work for You

Many prospective MBA students are working professionals or early career professionals who need scheduling flexibility while in graduate school. If that describes you, below are a few distinctive benefits that UCR’s Professional MBA program can offer you:

• Open admissions for fall, winter, and spring. No need to wait another year to start your MBA program. You apply and start classes at a time that’s most convenient for you.
• Need to take a lighter course load one quarter? No problem! As a pay-by-the-unit program, you can manage your course load to suit your individual needs.
• Classes are offered during the evenings and weekends in addition to during the day, and as a PMBA student, you will receive priority registration to ensure you always get the class you need when you need it.
• Effective Fall 2024: PMBA candidates with three or more years of relevant work experience may qualify for an accelerated track (PMBA Track II), which will allow candidates to earn a UCR MBA degree with 64 quarter units (compared to our standard 80 units). Schedule a consultation with an admissions advisor to find out if you qualify.