Executive MBA
Source: https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/executive-mba Parent: https://business.rice.edu/
Navigate to...
Have a Question?
Steve Summers
Manager of MBA Recruiting, Working Professional Programs
Schedule a Consultation with Steve
Executive MBA Program Overview
Attend a Top-Ranked MBA Designed For Executives. The Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree program at Rice Business is a top-ranked, research-driven program designed for executives and senior leaders ready to sharpen their strategic mindset. By combining core functional expertise with a deep network of like-minded peers, our STEM-designated EMBA prepares you with the agility to steer world-class organizations of the future.
- Duration: 22 months to complete (54 credits)
- Format: On campus every other Friday and Saturday in Houston
- Class Profile: 15+ years average work experience, 5+ years management experience preferred
- Admissions: No test scores required, rolling admissions
Applications are open. Round 3 deadline April 3, 2026. Test scores not required: Please review our admissions guide for more information.
The Rice Reputation
1
Graduate Entrepreneurship Program
Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine, 2020-2026
3
Best MBA for Finance
Princeton Review, 2024-2025
17
Best Executive MBA
Fortune, 2024
1
Best MBA in Texas
(based on global rankings) Financial Times, 2023-2026
Curriculum and Structure
The Executive MBA curriculum transitions seasoned professionals into enterprise-level leaders and strategists with a structure that fits into your busy life. Classes are held every other Friday and Saturday in person on campus in Houston. Then, a culminating overseas residency offers essential perspectives for leading in today’s economy.
During the first year of the STEM-designated curriculum, you’ll master quantitative foundations of business and grasp the mechanics of a global firm through coursework in business analytics, managerial accounting, strategic marketing and more. The second year shifts focus to advanced leadership, tasking you with navigating organizational complexities and enterprise-wide strategy. \ \ Explore the curriculum and schedule.
Who will your EMBA classmates be?
In the EMBA, the person sitting next to you is as vital as the expert professor in the front of the room. Your cohort consists of around 60 accomplished professionals and executives, each with over a decade of experience. You will join a group representing diverse industries — mirroring Houston’s own economic landscape of energy, healthcare, technology, finance, etc . —and create lasting, high-level professional connections.
Interested in Rice Business?
Executive MBA Admissions
Standardized test scores are not required, but GMAT, GRE or EA scores are accepted. A minimum of 10 years of work experience and five or more years of management experience is preferred. We aim to build cohorts of leaders with a proven track record of impact. We encourage you to schedule a consultation today to determine if our EMBA program is the right fit for you. Requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Professional work experience
- At least one professional letter of recommendation Not required, but accepting standardized test scores
- Resume or CV Transcripts from previously attended institutions
- Short essay components
Available Resources
At Rice Business, we believe that you belong here — and we are dedicated to helping you get here. We encourage you to connect with our recruiting and admissions team for guidance on the application process and to get to know us better. Many of our events walk you through the application process. Sign up for an event today! Please feel free to reach out to Steve Summers directly.
- Schedule an Admission Chat
- Application Checklist
- Events
- Class Profile Information
- Listen to Our Podcast
- Personalized Pre-Assessment
- Application Requirements & Deadlines
Why Our EMBA at Rice Business
Below are a few reasons why you should select our Executive MBA program at Rice Business. Visit here to learn more about why Rice Business.
Personalized Curriculum with Many Electives
Our Executive MBA curriculum focuses on experiential, integrated learning. We open and close each academic year with 5-day intensives that target development of an executive mindset. In your first year, you'll follow a set core curriculum. In the second year, you'll select electives from a wide range of over 100 options (depending on your schedule availability), including several specialized sections scheduled exclusively for the Executive MBA.
Explore EMBA specialization options.
Leadership and Strategy Development Focus
Evolve your leadership with a built-in Global Field Experience required for all EMBA students. You’ll also regularly engage with industry titans through Leadership and Strategy Executive Forums, where your cohort tackles real-world challenges alongside other senior leaders.
\ \ Learn more about our leadership and strategy curriculum.
Custom Executive Coaching
Throughout the program, you will work with an experienced executive coach to fill identified gaps in your leadership portfolio. Each executive coach provides support in formalizing and executing a personal strategic development plan. The coaching program complements the leadership development curriculum, providing a safe environment for challenging assumptions and promoting new thinking. It's one of the reasons why we're the best Executive MBA program in Houston.
Weekend Residency Program
Rice Business also offers an optional travel subsidy for students commuting to Houston for our Executive MBA program. This subsidy includes the hotel portion of a student’s stay for class weekends. Hotel accommodations are provided by Westin Houston Medical Center, located one mile from campus.\ Learn more.
Career Management for Executives
Whether you’re seeking to transition to the C-suite or launch a new business, we offer a proactive and adaptable approach to career management. Our dedicated team provides personalized coaching and lifelong support to help you achieve your goals and excel in your next leadership role.
Lifelong Learning
Your education doesn’t stop once you graduate. We offer several ways you can continue lifelong learning and stay part of the Rice Business community. Whether you decide to return to the classroom to audit a class you didn’t have time for or come back for an Executive Education course to advance your career even further — at a special alumni rate — we’re here for you.
Executive MBA Class Snapshot
56
Companies Represented
45%
With Graduate Degrees
$218k
Average Salary
More Reasons to Choose Rice For Your Executive MBA
We say you belong here. And we mean it.
We offer a tight-knit MBA program in a city brimming with opportunities. Gain real-world experiences, expand your network, and shape your career. Our research-driven Executive MBA curriculum, focused on innovation and purpose-driven learning, empower you to become the leader you aspire to be. Learn more about why you should choose Rice Business for your MBA.
EMBA Program Faculty
You will learn from the same world-class, research-driven faculty who teach across all our prestigious MBA formats.
Get to Know Our Faculty
Brent Smith
Senior Associate Dean for Executive Education\ Associate Professor of Management and Psychology – Organizational Behavior
Vikas Mittal
Faculty Director, Center for Customer Based Execution & Strategy\ J. Hugh Liedtke Professor of Marketing
James P. Weston
Senior Associate Dean for Degree Programs\ Harmon Whittington Professor of Finance
Jing Zhou
Deputy Dean of Academic Affairs\ Mary Gibbs Jones Professor of Management and Psychology – Organizational Behavior
When the fire chief asked for a three-year fleet study, I was able to apply concepts from my analytics class and give him everything he needed. He said, 'I can see your MBA is paying off already.'
Ruy Lozano
Executive MBA
Upcoming Events
Apr 1
Working Professional MBA Programs - Application Overview
12:00pm to 12:30pm\ Virtual
Apr 3
Rice Executive MBA Preview
10:00am to 1:00pm\ Rice University - McNair Hall
Apr 3
McNair Hall Tour - Working Professional MBA Programs
2:50pm to 4:00pm\ Rice University - McNair Hall
The Executive MBA Student Experience
Admit It: Rice Business MBA Blog
What Does It Mean to Specialize Your MBA?
Specializations can help you customize your degree, enhance your expertise, pivot industries and enrich your career narrative.
From Rice to Rio: How the GFE Helped Transform a Brazilian Non-Profit
A year after their first collaboration, Rice Business and CEDAPS continue to drive positive change and empower Brazilian youth.
A Recap of the 2024 Women in Leadership Conference
More than 400 attendees gained actionable skills to challenge norms and elevate women.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is an EMBA degree worth it?
An MBA from Rice is more than a credential — it’s an investment in yourself with a proven return. Our Executive MBA offers the advanced knowledge and coaching required for executive roles, backed by the prestige and ROI of a top-ranked business school. Learn more about the long-term value of the top Executive MBA in Houston, Texas.
And you don’t have to just take our word for it. You can get to know our students and alumni to learn more about the impact of Rice on their careers. - How does the Executive MBA compare to other Rice MBA programs?
Rice Business offers a range of MBA formats to meet students where they are in their careers and lives — including our Full-Time, Evening, Weekend, Hybrid, Online and Executive MBA programs.
The Executive MBA is designed for more experienced executives and senior managers who have at least 10 years of work experience with several years of management experience. Our EMBA students want to broaden their perspective and network while sharpening their leadership skills. The program is part-time, with classes all day on Fridays and Saturdays, every other weekend.
Not sure which format is right for you?
Take our MBA program fit quiz. - How is the EMBA admissions process different from other MBA programs?
While the core steps of the application process are similar to other MBA programs — such as submitting a resume, essays and recommendations — the Executive MBA (EMBA) admissions process is tailored for more experienced professionals.
We look for candidates with 10 or more years of professional experience, often with increasing levels of management or leadership responsibility. The strength of the EMBA program lies not only in the curriculum but in the richness of the classroom experience — where students learn just as much from each other’s real-world insights as they do from faculty. For that reason, we build a diverse cohort of experienced professionals from a wide range of industries and functions.
Another key difference: We do not require GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment (EA) scores, given the depth of experience EMBA candidates bring. However, applicants are welcome to submit test scores if they feel it would strengthen their application.
If you’re considering the Rice EMBA, we strongly recommend scheduling time with a recruiter to help determine whether it's the right fit for your background, goals and experience.\ \ View our full admissions guide. - What does the Executive MBA cost?
Tuition for the Rice Executive MBA is $152,250 total over the 22-month program. This cost covers the complete 22-month schedule of course work, including textbooks for all core classes, program materials, on-campus parking, light meals before class, resources at Fondren Library and hotel stays during the first and last intensive weeks. Additional fees and expenses apply — e.g. our optional weekend residency fee and health insurance.
Explore full tuition details and financial aid options. - What does a typical week/month look like during the program?
The Rice Executive MBA is structured to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals while maintaining a rigorous academic experience. Classes typically meet on campus every other Friday and Saturday, allowing you to plan around a predictable schedule.
In a typical month, you can expect:
- Two in-person class weekends (Friday and Saturday, all day)
- Pre-reading, assignments and team collaboration between sessions
- Executive Seminars or Forums scheduled at key points in the semester
- Occasional evening or virtual sessions, depending on the course
Outside of class, you’ll spend time engaging with your learning team, completing assignments and applying concepts directly to your work environment. The program is designed to be challenging but manageable for professionals balancing career, family and school. \ \ We encourage you to connect with a recruiter to discuss how the EMBA program can fit with your schedule.
Didn’t see your question above? Visit our FAQ page for more answers to commonly asked questions.
Keep exploring
Have a Question?
Steve Summers
Manager of MBA Recruiting, Working Professional Programs