University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business

The Eccles MBA: What You Need To Know

Since 1955, the David Eccles School of Business has been recruiting classes with widely different career backgrounds and goals. With its small cohort size of 50-60 students, the Eccles School of Business hosts an “abundance mentality” where students support each other instead of competing against one another.

The traditional two-year MBA runs four semesters or 21 months long, and allows students to choose their electives for 45% of the curriculum. 

This MBA knows their audience. Surprisingly, the majority of students are often non-business undergraduates. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of an varying cohort, moving at a pace that brings everyone up to speed quickly. 

The program values immersive and experiential learning through real-world experience, faculty interaction, and the flexibility to customize an education to meet personal goals. The Full-Time MBA offers specializations and a broad range of highly quantitative dual and concurrent degree options, including Business Strategy, Healthcare, Engineering, Law and several more. The vast majority of students also participate in internships during their time in the program. 

Students are highly encouraged to take advantage of conferences and case competitions throughout the program. With inclusivity and expenses in mind, Eccles has set aside career development funds (CDF) for students to encourage all to participate.

To apply to the program, students will be expected to submit GMAT/GRE scores, three short essays, a resume, transcripts, and oftentimes an interview. 

Flexibility is a signature of the Eccles experience. Students can choose to pursue an MBA through one of four options: the Full-Time MBA, the Professional MBA, the Executive MBA, or the MBA Online. All are geared toward working professionals looking to earn an MBA while still being employed full time.

Associate Dean Brad Vierig states, “It’s really gratifying to see the change that our Full-Time MBAs undergo while in the program. People come to us for a variety of reasons: some need business knowledge, some need help networking and developing a career plan, and others need to be a part of something that builds them up to reach their potential. Some need all of those things.

But ultimately the students are different people when they leave the program. To see the product of so many resources invested into these students by faculty, staff, and most importantly what they invested in themselves—it’s priceless.”

Relevant Features:

Ultimate Guide To Business Master’s Programs In The U.S.

How Specialist Master’s Programs Add Value