Rockhurst University Online MBA | Helzberg School of Management
The Helzberg School of Management at Rockhurst University (RU) offers a 100 percent online master of business administration (MBA) program with a general track or one of four online concentrations: data science, healthcare management, management, and business intelligence. The degree can be completed in as little as one year through an accelerated pathway or about two years on a part-time basis.
The Rockhurst University online MBA holds accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and offers small class sizes, fully online courses, and one-on-one interaction with faculty members. Courses run in eight-week terms and include videos of live classes, screen sharing, discussion boards, case studies, a capstone project, and more.
RU has a Jesuit heritage, preparing students to become ethical business leaders who change the world around them for the better. The university also follows the seven classical liberal arts avenues of inquiry including:
- Philosophical
- Historical
- Artistic
- Literary
- Scientific causal
- Scientific relational
- Theological
Graduates of the Rockhurst MBA program may go on to general business management positions or those related specifically to their concentration. These may include management consultants, medical and health services managers, business operations managers, business intelligence managers, business analytics managers, business analysts, hospital administrators, and project managers.
Rockhurst University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The MBA program and concentrations are accredited through the AACSB. Rockhurst University is located in Kansas City, Missouri.
What to Expect from the Rockhurst University Online MBA
Admission Requirements: Prospective students must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Those who have not earned a bachelor’s degree in business will likely need to take several prerequisite courses. The GMAT is required, and Rockhurst will accept the GRE. A GMAT waiver is available to qualified applicants. Specific parameters apply.
No work experience is necessary. Applicants must submit an online application, electronic official transcripts, and GMAT/GRE test scores. Proof of English language proficiency also is required, if applicable.
Study Plan: The Rockhurst University online MBA includes courses that last eight weeks each. The program can be completed in as little as one year on an accelerated pathway. Most students complete the online MBA in about two years on a part-time basis.
Students in the general track take 30 credits while those taking a concentration complete 32 credits. Those without a prior business degree may need to take several prerequisite courses. No campus visits are required. A capstone project is included to gain real-world experience through a project.
Curriculum: The Rockhurst University online MBA general track requires completion of 30 credits while adding a concentration brings the credit load to 32 credits.
Core courses for all paths include compass learning community; managerial communications; competitive analysis; financial analysis; global markets; financial strategy and decision making; leadership and organizational behavior; marketing strategy; corporate social responsibility; professional development: contemplation in action; and the MBA capstone.
In addition, students must choose either project management or business intelligence. Those in the data science or business intelligence concentration must choose the business intelligence course.
Those pursuing the general MBA then take six credits of electives. Those pursuing a concentration choose eight credits from their prescribed course lists.
- Data Science Concentration Courses: Students must take applied data mining and data visualization. They then choose two of the following courses: predictive models; text mining; and preparation and analysis for big data.
- Healthcare Management Concentration Courses: Students choose eight credits from the following courses: healthcare systems; medical practice management; health policy; healthcare information technology; and quality improvement in healthcare.
- Management Concentration Courses: Students choose eight credits from the following courses: networking for success; problem-solving and root cause analysis; entrepreneurship; managing small business growth; developing leadership in organizations; innovation; organizational change; and selling. Other management or marketing electives may be applicable for this concentration.
- Business Intelligence Concentration Courses: Students must take the following courses: applied data mining; data visualization; and analytics and strategy. They must also choose either web and social media analytics or dashboard creation and implementation.
Prerequisite courses include undergraduate accounting or principles of accounting, undergraduate statistics, pre-calculus, undergraduate finance, and undergraduate marketing. The Helzberg School of Management offers these courses as either eight-week courses or one-day courses. The principles of accounting course covers financial and managerial accounting, and the essentials of economics course covers macro and microeconomics.
Students can take these courses through Rockhurst University or transfer them from another institution once completed. The prerequisite courses can be taken in tandem with online MBA courses.
Online Experience: The online MBA courses are delivered through the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). Course delivery may include discussion boards, recordings of live, in-class sessions, screen sharing, assignments, case studies, real-world projects, and assessments.
Courses are mostly asynchronous with live web conferencing at times. Online MBA students have access to a wealth of support services including academic advising, tutoring and writing help through the Learning Center, student success coaches, financial aid resources, mental health counseling, disability resources, career development resources, and alumni networking.
On-Site Requirements: The Rockhurst University online MBA program is 100 percent online with no campus visits. An MBA capstone course may require collaboration with a physical business entity.
Paying for the Rockhurst University Online MBA
The Rockhurst online MBA tuition numbers are listed in the tables below, and do not include additional fees. Interested students should contact the RU Helzberg School of Management for complete costs and options.
Rockhurst University online MBA students may qualify for unsubsidized graduate student loans in accordance with the FAFSA. Prospective students can inquire with the RU Admissions Office. Employers may also offer tuition reimbursement programs and students may wish to seek funding from other outside organizations.
Rockhurst University Online MBA - General
- The Rockhurst online MBA can be completed in an accelerated 1-year path or about two years on a part-time basis
- Five start dates are offered and courses run eight weeks each
- Students may choose a general track or pursue a concentration in data science, business intelligence, management, or health care management
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | August, October, January, March, June |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 30 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree or higher |
| GPA Required? | 3.0 or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | GMAT waiver available for qualified applicants |
| Work Experience Required? | No work experience is required |
| Credit Hours | 30 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $790.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $23,700 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | August, October, January, March, June |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 32 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree or higher |
| GPA Required? | 3.0 or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | GMAT waiver available for qualified applicants |
| Work Experience Required? | No work experience is required |
| Credit Hours | 32 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $790.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $25,280 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | August, October, January, March, June |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 32 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree or higher |
| GPA Required? | 3.0 or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | GMAT waiver available for qualified applicants |
| Work Experience Required? | No work experience is required |
| Credit Hours | 32 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $790.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $25,280 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | August, October, January, March, June |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 32 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree or higher |
| GPA Required? | 3.0 or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | GMAT waiver available for qualified applicants |
| Work Experience Required? | No work experience is required |
| Credit Hours | 32 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $790.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $25,280 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | August, October, January, March, June |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 32 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree or higher |
| GPA Required? | 3.0 or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | GMAT waiver available for qualified applicants |
| Work Experience Required? | No work experience is required |
| Credit Hours | 32 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $790.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $25,280 |
* Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the out- of- state, part-time student rate. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Total cost of tuition does not include additional fees, unless otherwise specified. Please see the school website for the most up-to-date tuition costs.
