Questrom School of Business – Boston University - Social Impact MBA

Boston University Social Impact MBA Program Structure

After the one-week Pre-Core that helps prepare students for the MBA curriculum, students begin classes in early September, with the semester concluding in mid-December. Spring classes begin after a three-week winter break and wrap up in early May. First-year students split their first two semesters into shorter modules: in the fall, students complete two 7.5-week core modules, while in the spring they take a one-week course on business law, a 7.5-week core module and a 6.5-week exploration module dedicated to electives. Second-year classes meet for the entire semester. Internships are typically required between the first and second year, but Social Impact MBA students may be able to waive the requirement with proof of applicable work experience, given approval by the Graduate Programs Office.

Curriculum

The Boston University Social Impact MBA consists of 64 credits in total, including 34 required credits that can be taken at either a full-time or part-time pace. If students hold professional certifications such as a CPA or pass an examination, some of these core courses can be waived. After a one-credit Pre-Core course covering topics like ethics, teamwork and analytical thinking, students divide into 50 to 55-member cohorts that take all core courses together.

The first semester consists of two modules with three courses each, lasting 7.5 weeks. In Core Module 1, students take: Organizations, Markets, and Society; Business Analytics (Data Analysis and Risk); and Financial Reporting and Analysis. In the second half of the semester, Core Module 2, students take Creating Value through Operations and Technology; Marketing Management and Finance 1. At the start of their second semester, students must complete an intensive two-credit class on business law. Following these week-long classes is Core Module 3, another 7.5-week block consisting of three courses: IT Strategies for a Networked Economy; Leading Organizations & People; and Competition, Innovation & Strategy. Students round off this semester with three three-credit electives that last for 6.5 weeks.

During their second years, students complete the required Ethical Leadership in a Global Economy, Professional Skills, and the Global Engagement Experience. Students finish the year and the rest of their remaining credits through electives. Students are encouraged to apply for concentrations during their second semester to take full advantage of the many activities sponsored by the respective departments and institutes.

Concentrations are open to Social Impact students, though not required. After completing four to five electives in their chosen area, students can earn a Certificate of Concentration upon graduation. Concentration options include: Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Leadership and Organizational Transformation, Marketing, Operations and Technology Management, and Strategy and Innovation.

Class Profile

The most recent Boston University full-time MBA class featured 157 students. The mean work experience for enrolled students was five years and the mean age upon matriculation was 27-years old. The mean undergraduate GPA was 3.3 and the mean GMAT was 681. Nearly 44 percent of the class was female and 39 percent were international students.

A full 49 percent of students in the class held undergraduate degrees in computer science, engineering, business, accounting, economics or finance. About 35 percent have degrees in the humanities or social science, while 16 percent obtained degrees in math or hard sciences.

Career Statistics

Within three months of graduation, 91 percent of the Class of 2018 accepted a job offer. The median base salary for the full-time MBA class was $93,387 with an average total signing bonus or other compensation for domestic students of $17,790. The most popular industries were health/pharmaceutical/biotech and consulting services with a combined total of 49 percent of the graduating class.Technology/science followed with 17 percent of employed graduates. Students also found jobs in the media/entertainment, non-profit, government and manufacturing industries, among others.

For the Class of 2018, 94 percent of students seeking an internship accepted an offer.

Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid

For the 2019-20 academic year, the tuition for Boston University Social Impact MBA students is $55,480 and $932 for fees. As for other expenses, the BU Questrom School of Business estimated room and board at $14,190 books and supplies at $1,574 and other incidentals at $4,374.

Massachusetts law requires all students who carry at least 75 percent of the full-time curriculum to have medical insurance. Students who cannot demonstrate coverage under a qualifying medical insurance plan are required to purchase the University’s student health insurance plan. The cost of BU Medical Insurance for the 2019-20 academic year is $2,466.

The admissions committee automatically considers students for a variety of merit scholarships based on an applicant’s academic, professional and extracurricular accomplishments. The school reports that more than 90 percent of students received some form of financial assistance through the school, with the average scholarship amount at more than half of tuition each year. Military veterans, meanwhile, are encouraged to apply to the Yellow Ribbon program, which offers up to $2,600 per student per semester to the first 20 eligible students that apply.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents can apply for federal student loans. BU also shares information with students on alternative private loans they can explore.

Admissions

To apply to the BU MBA program, applicants should submit an online application form, two letters of recommendation, a current resume, all undergraduate and graduate transcripts, GRE or GMAT test scores, three video essays (or one written essay), and an application fee of $125. International applicants who do not come from an English-speaking country or who did not graduate from a college in an English-speaking country must also submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores.

Most admitted students have at least two years of previous professional work experience before enrollment, but it is not explicitly required.

Application deadlines are as follows:

October 17
January 2
March 8

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