Business Administration, M.B.A. (Professional)
The Professional MBA program at Saint Louis University's Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business is tailored to accommodate the schedules of working professionals.
SLU's broad-based Professional MBA program, ranked in the top 100 nationally by U.S. News & World Report for 2024, prepares students to succeed in management roles by developing strategic skills and knowledge in a range of functional business areas. In addition to the managerial core, students can focus elective coursework in one of 10 concentration areas, including the Chaifetz School’s nationally ranked specialty areas of entrepreneurship (No. 12), international business (No. 12) and supply chain management (No. 16).
Curriculum Overview
SLU's Professional MBA courses are offered in-person Monday through Thursday from 6-9:15 p.m., with certain courses offered online, allowing students to complete the program and maintain full-time employment. On average, evening MBA students complete the program in two-and-a-half years but are allotted up to five years, if necessary, allowing students to maintain a balance between their personal and professional lives.
The Professional MBA program requirements range from 33-39 credits, depending on academic background. The program consists of 15 credits of business essentials coursework (economics, accounting, management, finance, and marketing), 12 credits of global management and decision-making coursework and 9-18 credits of advanced electives. Students complete the program with a 3-credit-hour capstone course during which students participate in live team-based consulting projects with local for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
Partial to complete waivers may be offered for the five business essentials courses for students demonstrating competency through previous coursework. These waivers are determined at the time of admission. Questions about course waivers can be directed to gradbiz@slu.edu.
Students have the option to pursue a specialized certificate using their 9-18 elective hours:
- Applied Economic Forecasting (STEM)
- Business Analytics (STEM)
- Digital Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
- Financial Planning and Modeling
- International Business
- Product and Brand Management
- Real Estate Finance
- Supply Chain Management (STEM)
Careers
The Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business has a dedicated Career Resources Center and graduate career advisor to help MBA students define professional goals, build essential career skills, create a robust professional network and develop a job search strategy.
Your experience in the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business prepares you for a variety of roles in the business community. Whether you are looking to make a career transition or leverage graduate education to advance in your current career, professionals in the CRC are available to support your career development.
Who you know can make all the difference in your career. Building professional business relationships is a core value in any successful career. There are ongoing opportunities to connect and build your business relationships here at the Chaifetz School. As one of the oldest business schools west of the Mississippi, the Chaifetz School is highly respected and connected in the St. Louis business community.
Admission Requirements
The Chaifetz School uses a holistic admissions approach to carefully evaluate all applicants, considering every aspect of their application. While an undergraduate degree is required for admission, a business background is not.
- Transcript(s) from all previously attended institutions
- 1-2 letters of recommendation
- Resume/CV
- Professional goal statement of fewer than 500 words
Applications are reviewed once all application materials are received. The average time for admissions decisions is two weeks.
Requirements for International Students
Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents will also need to submit:
- English Language Proficiency Scores: For non-native speakers of English, an official English language test score report is required and must be sent directly to the institution. Scores should be no more than two years old. This program requires a TOEFL score of 80 and an IELTS broadband of at least 6.5 or a Duolingo score of 110.
- The Graduate Programs Office reserves the right to evaluate an applicant’s English based on an admissions interview and/or an English language test. Based on the results from either or both, applicants may be referred to INTO SLU for additional coursework.
- Official Academic Transcripts: An official transcript articulating both GPA and grades for all previous coursework is required and will be evaluated at the time of admission.
- The Graduate Programs Office reserves the right to request an applicant submit a WES or ECE evaluation.
- Documentation of Financial Support: After an admission decision has been made and scholarship consideration has been assessed, students will need to complete an addendum form outlining certification of financial support for one year of study (if a student visa is required) that must be submitted with the necessary documentation. Documentation will include:
-
A letter (declaration) of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency providing funds for your tuition and living expenses for the duration of your study at Saint Louis University.
-
A letter (certification) from the sponsor’s bank verifying that such funds currently are available and will be so for each subsequent year of your study at this University. The financial evidence must cover at least the expenses needed for the first year of your study.
-
Tuition
| Tuition | Cost Per Credit |
|---|---|
| School of Business Master's and Certificate Programs | $1,340 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The Chaifetz School offers generous scholarships to make a graduate degree from our nationally ranked institution accessible. All applicants to the Professional MBA program are automatically considered for scholarship awards at the time of admission. Learn more about Professional MBA scholarships.
For more information about student loans, please visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
Accreditation
The Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the world’s largest business education alliance and accrediting body of business schools, ensuring continuous quality improvement in terms of curriculum, instructional resources, student selection, career placement and intellectual contributions and qualifications of the faculty. Approximately 5% of business schools worldwide have achieved AACSB accreditation.
- Graduates will develop a strategic level understanding of the key functions of business — accounting, economics, finance, international business, management, marketing, operations and statistics.
- Graduates will practice problem analysis and decision-making and present results, both individually and as part of teams and groups, using vehicles such as problem and case analysis, integrated modules, and live consulting opportunities.
- Graduates will be aware of globalization and its impacts on people, businesses and the economy.
- Graduates will participate in at least one service-learning experience during the course of their studies and/or participate and assume leadership roles in student and community organizations.
- Graduates will be exposed to values issues and the application of values to business professions in case analysis and in classroom interaction.
The Professional M.B.A. is a customizable degree that allows professionals from varied backgrounds to stack certificates to earn the M.B.A. For those who successfully complete the requisite coursework, they can have part or all of the Business Essentials Certificate waived. All students will earn the Global Management & Decision-Making Certificate with the opportunity to finish the remaining 21-27 hours by earning 2 more certificates or choosing approved electives.
To receive a STEM designation with the M.B.A., one of the following certificates is required: Applied Economic Forecasting, Business Analytics, or Supply Chain Management.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Business Essentials Certificate | 15 | |
| This certificate or courses herein may be waived with previous academic coursework. | ||
| Accounting for Managers | ||
| Economics for Managers | ||
| Management | ||
| Marketing Management | ||
| Finance for Managers | ||
| Global Management & Decision-Making Certificate | 12 | |
| Global Business Environment | ||
| Supply, Demand, and Technology | ||
| Applied Business Analytics | ||
| Ethics and Professional Development | ||
| Remaining Requirements | 9-18 | |
| If a student earns the Business Essentials Certificate, remaining requirements can be fulfilled by selecting one (1) specialized certificate from below or three electives (nine credit hours) of choice. | ||
| If a student is waived from all or some of the Business Essentials Certificate, remaining requirements can be fulfilled by selecting two (2) specialized certificates from below or six electives (18 credit hours) of choice. | ||
| Capstone | 3 | |
| Strategy and Practice | ||
| Total Credits | 33-39 | |
- *
STEM OPT eligible
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Electives for the Professional M.B.A. can be taken from the following subject codes, numbered 5000 and above: | ||
| Accounting (ACCT) | ||
| Economics (ECON) | ||
| Finance (FIN) | ||
| International Business (IB) | ||
| Information Technology Management (ITM) | ||
| Management (MGT) | ||
| Marketing (MKT) | ||
For additional admission questions, please contact:
Graduate Business Admission Team
314-977-3800
gradbiz@slu.edu