The University of Alabama’s Manderson Graduate School of Business

The Manderson Graduate School of Business MBA: What You Need To Know

The Alabama Manderson MBA was first offered in 1944 and offers students an education that bridges the gap between pre-professional students and leaders in the workforce through experiential learning, professional development, networking, and service opportunities. The Manderson Graduate School of Business is the graduate division of Alabama U’s Culverhouse School of Business named its graduate division The Manderson Graduate School of Business in 1987. Manderson is located in Tuscaloosa, well known for its D1 football team the Crimson Tide.

How does research at the B-School make a difference? Dr. Kay Palan, Dean of Culverhouse College says it, “Helps improve our world. Culverhouse is developing a reputation as a business school that addresses real social problems with research. This year, through published research, our faculty have tackled issues like the nursing shortage, gender bias in commercial real estate, and work/life balance during COVID-19, among many other topics.”

At Manderson, MBAs have team-based experiences, access to a strong network of professional connections, and are said to get a high return on investment.

MBAs can choose from three paths, the first of which is a traditional path with optional concentrations in Business Analytics, Finance, Financial Risk – and the new concentrations Cyber-security/Management Information Systems, Real Estate, Strategic Management & Marketing, Supply Chain & Operations Management. This path typically draws around 50 students. The next is the STEM path, for business undergrads who can add an extra year to earn a STEM MBA, which typically has around 110 students. The last is the CREATE path to an MBA for undergraduates majoring in non-business degrees, which runs parallel to its sister program the STEM Path. MBAs can also choose to pursue a dual degree in Engineering, Theater Management, and Law.

Outside of the required curriculum, MBAs can compete with the Manderson Case Team, engage in student associations, and competitions. MBA James Kelley says on Alabama’s site, the Case Team is “a great opportunity for public speaking, for learning how to think critically and strategically, and bonding with teammates.”

Aside from competitions, Manderson MBAs frequent career development workshops and engage with the career services team who provide personalized support through advising, training workshops, networking events, and career fairs. Post-grad, the Class of 2022 saw 90.3% employment within three months of graduation.

Manderson Graduate School of Business MBA Rankings Data

Relevant Features:

Job Placement Rates & Starting Pay At The U.S. News Top 50

U.S. News 2020 Online MBA Ranking: Some Familiar Names & A Few Surprises