Business

The Bachelor of Arts in Business at Rice University offers students a comprehensive and rigorous education designed to prepare future leaders for success in the dynamic world of commerce. This program combines a solid foundation in fundamental business principles with liberal arts education, fostering critical thinking, ethical judgment, and effective communication skills. Students have the opportunity to explore various aspects of business, including finance, marketing, management, entrepreneurship, and global business strategies, enabling them to develop a well-rounded understanding of the contemporary business environment.

Throughout the program, students benefit from small class sizes, personalized mentorship, and close interactions with faculty who are experts in their fields. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning through case studies, internships, and collaborative projects, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations. Rice University's strong connections to the Houston business community and beyond provide valuable networking opportunities, internships, and job placements.

The program encourages interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from economics, technology, and social sciences to address complex business challenges. Students can also tailor their educational experience by choosing electives aligned with their career interests and by participating in specialized tracks or minors related to areas such as finance, entrepreneurship, or international business.

Graduates of the Business program at Rice are equipped with analytical skills, innovative thinking, and ethical leadership qualities that are highly valued in various industries worldwide. The program prepares students not only for immediate employment but also for graduate studies or entrepreneurial ventures. With its balance of rigorous academics and practical experience, the Bachelor of Arts in Business at Rice University aims to cultivate versatile, responsible, and competitive professionals capable of making meaningful contributions in the global economy.

A student is expected to be in residence throughout the calendar year (exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the student's dissertation chairperson, area advsior, and the director of the JGS PhD program).
 
Year One

• Complete course work during Fall and Spring semesters.
• Begin working on research with area faculty.

Year Two

• Complete course work during Fall and Spring semesters.
• Continue working on research with area faculty through the year.
• Take comprehensive exam (if needed by area).

Year Three

• Take specialized courses as needed during Fall and/or Spring semesters.
• Produce working paper(s) on research with area faculty.
• Work on dissertation research.
• Defend dissertation research proposal by summer.

Year Four and Beyond

• Finish work on dissertation research.
• Defend dissertation.

The student’s coursework over the first two years, which should cover a minimum of 9 courses, will be determined by the student in consultation with the area faculty advisor.

All PhD students in the Jones Graduate School of Business doctoral program must maintain at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average. 

If the student’s area faculty so desire, the student must also successfully complete the comprehensive exam requirement in an area – economics, psychology, statistics – that supports the student’s area as part of the Ph.D. degree requirements.
 
A student may pass the comprehensive exam in his/her area either unconditionally or conditionally (as determined by area faculty). In the latter case, the area faculty advisor will stipulate the conditions that must be satisfied by the student in order to achieve an unconditional pass. If the student fails the comprehensive exam for the first time, the student may take the exam again during the following year at the discretion of area faculty. If the student fails the exam again, the student will be required to leave the Ph.D. program.
 
Students will be expected to attend periodic research seminars in their area, where faculty and Ph.D. students, as well as invited faculty members from other business schools, present their research. The research seminar participation requirements will vary by area. The student’s summer paper presentation, if the area requires it (as explained in the next paragraph), will also take place at these research seminars. These seminars provide a transition in emphasis for the student from courses to research and also afford a testing ground for dissertation proposals. They also provide an opportunity for the student to gain experience in critiquing and presenting material before a critical group.
 
Some areas may require doctoral students to write a summer research paper during the first (and possibly even the second) summer of study. There are multiple, sometimes competing, motivations for such a summer paper: (1) It develops a student’s research skills, (2) It enables a student to develop joint research with faculty for publication purposes, (3) It serves as a mechanism for faculty to evaluate a student’s ability to conduct independent research. The student’s summer paper, for an area requiring it, must be approved by the faculty member with whom he or she works during the summer before the student can present it at the research seminar.

Online Application: Using the online application, you will create a user account for the creation and submission of your application, and from which you may check the status of your submitted application and receipt of your supplemental documentation.

Application Requirements: To be considered for admission, the following documents must be received no later than the posted application deadline: 

• Completed online Jones Graduate School Ph.D. application including a Personal Statement Essay and CV/Résumé.
• Three confidential evaluations. Evaluations may be submitted using the online application recommendation feature, or mailed separately in an envelope sealed and signed across the seal by the evaluator.
• Official transcripts from all institutions you have attended. Transcripts must be received in envelopes sealed and signed across the seal by the issuing institution registrar. Uncertified photocopies are not acceptable. To be considered, all documents not in English must be accompanied by official English translations. These translations must bear an original ink signature and seal, and translations alone will not be acceptable.
• Official Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score report, or GRE score report. (Test taker copy not acceptable.)
• To send your official GMAT score report, log on to http://www.mba.com/mba/, click “The GMAT” then “GMAT Scores and Score Reports”. The “Rice University Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business – PhD Program” code is 3WS-WD-54.
• To send your official GRE score report, log on to http://www.ets.org, under “Tests” click “GRE”. Under “Test Takers” click “Order Additional Score Reports”. The “Rice U Mgmt PhD Program” code is 6618.

If you did not earn your undergraduate degree in the U.S., English-speaking Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, an official score report of your TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) taken within 2 years of your application date is required (test-taker copy not acceptable).  This requirement is waived for international applicants who have received a Master's degree or a Doctorate from an institution within the U.S., English-speaking Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom by the application deadline.

• To send your official TOEFL score report, log on to http://www.ets.org, under “Tests” click “TOEFL” and then “Test Scores.” The “Rice University-Management PhD Program” code is 6618. 

A non-refundable application fee of $40 payable via credit card or check. Please make checks payable to Rice University. Applications will not be processed without the required application fee.

Please note that applicants may not apply for, or be considered for, more than one program at a time within the Jones Graduate School.

Minimum GMAT/GRE Score Requirements: While our program is highly competitive, we do not have a minimum GMAT/GRE score requirement.

Scholarships

Full financial assistance will be offered to each admitted student in the Ph.D. program in the form of a research assistantship, where the student must work as a research assistant for assigned faculty members. The financial assistance is merit-based and is contingent on continued satisfactory progress (which includes prior satisfactory performance as a research assistant).

Tuition Grants

Full tuition support is available for each year of full-time study, conditional on satisfactory progress in the doctoral program.

Stipends

Admitted students will be offered stipend support of $35,000 per fiscal year6. This stipend is available for each year of full-time study, conditional on satisfactory progress in the doctoral program.

Research and Academic Support

Each student will be provided with a workspace, a personal computer with office software7 including all necessary (as determined by area faculty) statistical packages and access to the Rice University network, library access, online academic journals access and e-mail. Each student will also have available $1000 per year for miscellaneous research and academic expenses such as text books required for classes, computer upgrades, conference travel etc. Students may roll over unused monies from one year to the next.

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6A condition for such stipend support is that the student must not engage in outside work for pay without prior permission from the Ph.D. program director. An incoming student bringing outside financial support in the form of a merit-based or fellowship will still be eligible to receive the stipend in full in addition to such outside support. If a student in the third year or beyond generates such outside support, the JGS stipend will be decreased by 50% of the outside support.        

7The computer will be refreshed after successful defense of the dissertation proposal. Instead, students completing their third year of study may be eligible for a computer refresh if needed and with the recommendation of their advisor.

The Business program at Rice University offers students a comprehensive education in the fundamental principles of commerce, management, finance, marketing, and organizational behavior. Designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, the program prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in the business world. The curriculum includes core courses in accounting, economics, business law, and ethics, alongside specialized electives that allow students to focus on areas such as entrepreneurship, international business, or technology management. Students benefit from small class sizes and close interaction with faculty members who are experts in their fields, fostering an engaging learning environment.

Rice University emphasizes experiential learning through case studies, internships, and project-based assignments. The program encourages leadership development, critical thinking, and innovative problem-solving skills. Additionally, students have access to a vibrant campus community with numerous business-related clubs, networking opportunities, and mentorship programs that connect them with industry professionals. The university's location in Houston—a major hub for industries such as energy, healthcare, and aerospace—provides students with abundant opportunities for internships and employment after graduation. The Business program at Rice University is committed to developing ethical, globally-minded business leaders who are prepared to tackle the challenges of today’s dynamic economic landscape.