One-Year MBA

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the One-Year MBA?
2. How is the program structured?
3. Is it difficult to return to school for an accelerated MBA?
4. Is the One-Year MBA an accredited program?
5. Do I receive a One-Year MBA degree or an MBA Degree?
6. When does the program start?
7. What is the program cost?
8. Is a laptop required?
9. How can I learn more about the program before I apply?
10. Are concentrations available in the One-Year MBA Program?
11. How is teamwork treated in the One-Year MBA?
12. Does LeBow College offer any dual degrees?
13. What are the admission requirements for the One-Year MBA Program?
14. Is financial aid available for the One-Year MBA Program?
15. Is work experience required for admission to the One-Year MBA Program?
16. Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in business?
17. How do I apply for scholarships?
18. Does the LeBow College require calculus, statistics or other quantitative courses as prerequisites?
19. Can I waive any core courses?
20. If I am admitted this year, may I defer my enrollment until next year?
21. When are the admission decisions made?
22. Is there a way for international students to waive the TOEFL?

The Drexel One-Year MBA is an accelerated program designed for those wishing to increase return on investment by shortening the time out of full-time employment.

During your participation in the One-Year MBA, you will gain a wide range of new skills and increased analytical abilities. Your educational experience and hard work will allow you to reenter the job market prepared to advance in your chosen career.

This program is accelerated in time only - this is a full MBA with all of the requirements experienced by other MBA candidates in their coursework.

The One-Year MBA follows a general MBA format with all students taking the courses in a group for the entire year. The program is cohorted, designed for learning within a small group of fellow students who begin and complete the program together. Students actively learn from faculty, as well as fellow classmates.

The broad-based, interdisciplinary MBA curriculum has five integration threads: Leadership, Entrepreneurship, International Business, Financial Management, and Strategic Management, which are woven throughout the curriculum to enrich the students' learning experience. The threads work as a curriculum integration tool to show how the disciplines work together.

Change of any kind can be difficult, but the rewards of an accelerated MBA program like the One-Year MBA far outweigh the costs. Students who are successful in the program are motivated and dedicated to pursuing the degree, realizing that the challenge is worth their effort. Some students think of the One-Year MBA as their new job, dedicating the time and effort necessary to succeed in a full-time accelerated program just as they would in a new job. The time demands of the program require all participants to make adjustments in their lives but the cohorted environment makes this transition easier, as all members of the class face similar challenges.

Yes. The Drexel MBA is a fully accredited program by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Less than one-third of the nation's business schools hold this status.

We are proud that the Drexel MBA is one of the most comprehensive programs in the Philadelphia area. Our curriculum is a full 51 credits and is the same MBA degree regardless of the program you choose. Upon graduation, you will earn an accredited MBA degree from Drexel University, the recognized standard in management education and a key to success in the business world.

The program runs from July to June and operates on a 10-week quarter system. Classes begin mid-July with a two-week orientation period. During this period students participate in a business simulation and business boot camp to prepare for the challenging year ahead. During 2010 the program will begin on July 12.

The cost for the 2008-09 academic year is $54,000, which includes tuition and fees plus the cost of the international trip. But keep in mind that the cost of your tuition does not just buy you classes at LeBow - it connects you with world-class resources and ensures the best-rounded educational experience possible to maximize the return on your time investment and prepare you to get ahead in your career. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

All incoming students are also required to have a laptop computer and wireless cards to take advantage of Drexel's wireless campus. This will permit access to web-based course materials, online career management tools, the Internet, e-mail, and more. Minimum laptop and card specifications are available upon request.

You are encouraged to attend program information sessions or participate in one of the scheduled online chat sessions to find out more about the program. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact the program director prior to starting the application process. Program staff members are available to answer questions and discuss the program. For program questions about the One-Year MBA, contact Megan Gray, Program Manager of Full-time programs at Megan.gray@drexel.edu.

The One-Year MBA provides a comprehensive approach in an accelerated delivery format. Given the accelerated nature of the program, the broad-based interdisciplinary MBA curriculum does not allow for specific concentrations during the program. However, students may choose to continue on after completing their degree requirements to pursue a dual degree or to pursue a post-MBA certificate in a particular discipline.

Given the accelerated pace, teamwork plays a particularly important role within the One-Year MBA. Students are assigned to teams at the beginning of the program and work in those teams through all classes in a given term. The teams are changed each term to allow students the opportunity to work with different individuals. This allows each student's unique personal and professional perspective to add to the group's educational experience.

In addition to the student teams within the course component, the program also stresses the importance of teamwork within the cohort. Students participate in workshops designed to facilitate teambuilding and improve group communication.

After obtaining their degree, students have the opportunity to obtain a master's of science in accounting or finance. Because of the nature of the One-Year MBA curriculum, students pursuing a master's of science in finance would be able to complete the degree by taking approximately seven additional courses. This allows students to complete two degrees in two years.

For a completed application, students are required to submit the following:

• Completed Application Form -- additional items will be submitted on separate sheets
• $50 Application Fee
• Transcripts -- must be provided for every institution attended - International transcripts must be evaluated by WES
• Referrals -- two letters are required
• Standardized Test Scores -- GMAT and TOEFL (if applicable)
• Professional Resume

International students must possess a valid VISA that will allow them to travel outside the United States for the international trip.

All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships. Selection criteria include academic, professional and personal achievements, and potential for excellence in a management career, as demonstrated by length and quality of post-baccalaureate work experience, GPA, GMAT scores, and an interview with the admissions committee.

All applicants are also eligible for the Drexel Alumni-Trustee Endorsement Grant. By having a Drexel alumnus complete the form that is within the application, and submitting this with the application, admitted applicants are eligible to receive a $1,000 off the One-Year MBA tuition.

Federal Stafford Student Loans are available for domestic students or permanent residents. To be eligible, students need to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) that is available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Also, please visit the Drexel Graduate Studies Financial Aid Web site.

A minimum of four years post-baccalaureate work experience is strongly recommended.

No. The curriculum of the LeBow MBA program is designed to level the playing field with the enterprise management sequence. Additionally, the One-Year MBA teams are comprised to provide diversity of backgrounds so that all members can take advantage of the knowledge and skills of their team mates.

All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis and the number awarded is limited so candidates are encouraged to apply early in the process.

On a case-by-case basis, applications will be reviewed after the application deadline (May 24 for U.S. citizens and March 24 for non-U.S. citizens) but merit scholarships may not be available.

Students who know that the One-Year MBA is their program of interest are encouraged to apply early and meet one of two Early Decision deadlines: October 1 or December 1. Students are offered admission by these dates, and have also submitted their Intent to Enroll forms by November 1 (for the October 1 deadline) or January 1 (for the December 1 deadline), will receive an Alumni Award in the amount of $5,000 and $3,000, respectively. These awards have been made possible through the generosity of LeBow College of Business alumni.

No. However, the Admissions Committee looks for a variety of abilities in all applicants, including critical thinking, analytical, and interpersonal communication and leadership skills.

No. The One-Year MBA is a cohorted program and the curriculum is integrated where courses follow a clear progression. Given this and the accelerated rigorous nature of the program, there are no courses exemptions granted.

In general, we do offer students the opportunity to defer their admission from one year to the next. Admitted applicants that have been awarded merit scholarships will have their awards reevaluated in the context of the applicant pool for the following admission year.

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Generally, admission decisions are made within three to four weeks after the application is complete. Available spaces as well as merit scholarships are limited so candidates are encouraged to apply early in the process.

Students whose native language is not English and who do not hold a bachelor's degree from a Unites States institution are required to take and submit a score from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The official score report needs to be sent directly from the Education testing Service to Drexel before an admissions decision can be made. Students who will earn a bachelor's degree from a Unites States institution before enrolling or have worked full-time in an English speaking country for more than two years may have this requirement waived.