Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business and 2U, Inc., Partner to Offer a New Online MBA for Professionals

MBA Blog / 6th July 2017

2U, Inc. and top-ranked Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business today announced plans to launch a new online Master of Business Administration. MBA@Rice will provide a rigorous MBA education for the next generation of global leaders to excel in the ever-changing business landscape. This will be a new Domestic Graduate Program for 2U.

“Rice Business’ top priority is to deliver distinctive degree programs and groundbreaking research to impact businesses worldwide,” said Peter Rodriguez, dean of the Jones Graduate School of Business. “Offering these degree programs will increasingly involve leveraging digital education, and we demanded a partner of the highest caliber. Through the new relationship with 2U, we have found that partner. Now working professionals across the country will have the opportunity to experience the same Rice MBA program we offer to our on-campus students without the need to relocate. We’re thrilled to partner with 2U to develop and deliver such an academically rigorous online MBA program.”

“We’re excited that the Jones Graduate School of Business plans to offer Rice University’s first online blended degree program. The Jones School faculty rightly insisted the highest standards be applied to this program, and we believe it will make an outstanding business education available to a larger number of talented students around the world,” said Rice President David Leebron.

The Jones Graduate School of Business ranks among the nation’s top business schools by Bloomberg Businessweek and The Financial Times. MBA@Rice courses will be taught by a nationally recognized faculty who integrate insights from their own research to teach in a compelling, engaging learning environment. Students and faculty meet weekly in live, online classes, and students study pre-recorded and interactive course content between sessions. The program includes on-campus immersive experiences and global offsite experiences, where students collaborate in person to further develop leadership skills in a global context.

MBA@Rice is designed to serve working professionals with extensive experience who may not have the option to study on campus. This program will meet the demands of today’s career accelerators. MBA@Rice students can complete the 54-credit curriculum in as little as 24 months.

The program is expected to launch in 2018, pending review and approval from Rice University faculty senate and Rice’s accreditor, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Jones Graduate School of Business faculty overwhelmingly approved development of MBA@Rice. It also has the strong support of Rice University President Leebron and Provost Miranda.