Refer to the Jones Graduate School of Business MBA Program Student Handbook for details on all program policies.

 “On my Honor, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this [exam/paper/etc.]”

The purpose of the Honor Code, as stated in the Honor System Constitution is to “allow maximum freedom for students, undergraduate and graduate, in the completion of all academic work, and to ensure the integrity of that work.” The Honor Code protects the rights of students at Rice to complete their academic work to the best of their abilities, and to be rewarded for that work. These policies ensure that every student at Rice is held to the same high standard of integrity, and that every student’s original ideas are protected.

The pledge, requested at the top of many assignments, serves as a reminder that the work one submits is pledged under the Honor System, and that all students are expected to put forth only work that is reflective of their original ideas and personal knowledge.

1. Do not violate the Honor Code

   • The level of cooperation allowed on homework and other assignments can be ambiguous. It is the student’s responsibility to clarify any ambiguities with the professor.

   • Ignorance of course policies or the Honor Code is not accepted as an excuse for a violation.

   • Assignments that are termed “non-pledged” are still covered under the Honor Code, but may have more open rules than “pledged” assignments.

   • Requirements for citation style may vary between courses. Failure to cite the source(s) of ideas or quotations is plagiarism.

   • Multiple submissions (the submission of the same work for multiple classes) are specifically defined in the Blue Book as an Honor Code violation unless the student secures prior permission from the instructors of each course.

   • Use of old course work, including but not limited to case analysis, assignments, models, papers, and exams, is an Honor Code violation unless it is expressly allowed by the instructor.

   • Using case solutions or accessing case teaching notes is prohibited.

   • Using materials posted to “cheater” websites is prohibited.

2. Do not aid in a violation

• Do not give answers on exams or other pledged assignments to other students who have not completed these assignments.

• Ask students with whom you share your old coursework about the Honor Code policy for their class as it pertains to the use of old coursework. Be sure that the use of your old coursework is not a violation.

• Do not discuss pledged assignments before the due date. Although you may have already completed the assignment, you do not want to inadvertently share information with someone who has not.

• Make sure you leave your exams and other assignments in secure locations and in sealed envelopes when requested.

• Aiding another person’s violation is a violation of the Honor Code. Allowing someone to copy your work may be treated similarly to copying someone else’s work.

• Sharing or using old assignments or exams is prohibited unless expressly allowed by the professor.

• Posting materials to “cheater” websites is prohibited.

3. Report any suspected violations to the Honor Council

• Not only have you agreed to follow the Code by coming to Rice, but you must also help to maintain and enforce it. Violations unfairly disadvantage the other students in a class and hurt the integrity of all Rice degrees.

• Report all suspected violations directly to the Honor Council. This ensures that the matter is handled fairly and that all accusations are handled consistently.

• Submit any evidence that you have collected to support your accusation to the Honor Council.

• Do not report violations to the professor of the course. He or she could become unfairly biased against a student whether or not they are found In Violation by the Council.

• The accuser’s identity is not revealed unless the matter proceeds past investigation to a hearing. The accuser’s identity is revealed at the hearing.

• The identity of the accused student(s) will never be revealed to the student body, regardless of the case’s verdict.

• If you think you have personally violated the Code, report yourself. This does happen, and it is looked on very favorably by the Council and usually results in a highly reduced penalty.

For more information regarding the Honor Code, please reference: honor.rice.edu.

The MBA@Rice program operates on their own academic calendar, offering 12-week terms in the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. You will find the MBA@Rice-specific academic calendars here.  Make sure that you hit the down arrow in the right corner that states "Rice University Quadmester Academic Calendar."

Note: Rice Residential dates may be adjusted from the University academic calendar by a week.

Classes that are held on university holidays will be rescheduled. 

CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

54 Credit Hours of Coursework

• 36 required core course credits

• 13.5 elective course credits

• 4.5 Intensive Learning Experience credits

  • 1 On-Campus: Rice Core Residential 

  • 1 International: Global Field Experience
    
    

Successful completion of the Masters of Business Administration degree requires the following:

1. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

2. A minimum of 54 earned credits, completing and passing all required core and elective coursework.

3. Courses completed and passed with a minimum grade of C to count towards earned credit.

4. Attendance of two (2) Intensive Learning Experiences, 1 on-campus and 1 globally (4.5 credits total).
   
   

COURSE SEQUENCE

The MBA@Rice online program consists of a 24-month curriculum. The 54 required credits are traditionally completed over eight consecutive 12-week quadmesters over a two-year period. 

There are 4 quadmesters annually and their start months:

• Winter - January

• Spring - April 

• Summer - July

• Fall - October 

Each quadmester begins on the 1st Monday of the respective start month. Students will follow a dedicated academic plan each quadmester to fulfill the curriculum requirements listed above.

In order to complete the degree in the standard timeframe of two years, students typically register for 6 credit hours per quadmester and may add 1.5-3.0 additional credits for an Intensive Learning Experience or to complete the one additional elective required outside of the standard 6-credit hour cadence.

Students must receive approval through their Student Success Advisor to extend their program timing to a 3- or 4-year track. Approved students must register for courses each quadmester based on their standard degree plan.  Students must complete the program within 5 years of matriculation.

INTENSIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES (ILEs)

Hosted both on the Rice University campus and in locations around the world, Intensive Learning Experiences allow our students to connect in-person with peers, faculty and mentors. Students are required to attend two (2) Intensive Learning Experiences throughout their time in the program: 1 in Houston on the Rice University campus and 1 via a program-chosen international location.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Continuous enrollment between admission and the completion of degree work is the norm. In some cases, however, circumstances may compel a student to interrupt their studies temporarily. The Jones Graduate School of Business may grant students a leave of absence for up to four quadmesters (one year). Leaves of absence may only be requested twice during the program. A leave of absence does not suspend or alter the 5-year time limit during which a student must earn the MBA.

Students should request to be approved for leave of absence (LOA) prior to the first day of class. Requests will be reviewed by the MBA program and the student will be notified of approval or non-approval. Students who are not in good academic standing (GPA below 3.0) are considered to be on “provisional LOA” and must petition the Academic Standards Committee to return to the program, prior to resuming their enrollment. Additionally, students who do not return from LOA within one year are also required to petition the Academic Standards Committee to return.

A leave of absence requested after the first day of class (“late LOA”) will only be approved in verified extreme or exceptional personal circumstances. Late LOAs will result in W on transcript and will be subject to the tuition refund schedule as of the request date. Additionally, a student requesting a late LOA should expect to be on leave the following quadmester as well. Students requiring a leave of absence for medical reasons should review the Medical Leave of Absence policy for all graduate students.

A student who does not qualify for a late LOA may withdraw from the university at any point (subject to the tuition refund schedule on the academic calendar).

In order to request a leave, a student must schedule a meeting with their Student Success Advisor (SSA) at their earliest convenience.  If they wish to proceed with the LOA, they will receive a designated form to fill out and submit within two days of their meeting. The LOA is processed as of the date the form is submitted, which will affect tuition refund eligibility. 

LOA specifications 

• May be taken at anytime and may not exceed one year (4 quadmesters) in length.

• Coincides with the University Withdrawal deadline regarding specific tuition refund. 

• A student may return prior to their original intended return date or may extend, as long as they do not exceed 1 year from LOA start.

• Students are granted a maximum of two LOAs during their program tenure.

• Program requirements must be completed within five years of a student's first quadmester. 

• If a student fails to return from their LOA, they will be put on administrative withdrawal and must appeal to return to the University.

WITHDRAWAL
Students who wish to withdraw from the MBA@Rice program, and ultimately Rice University, should schedule a meeting with their SSA.  Their SSA will talk through options and make the student aware of information specific to their case.  If a withdrawal is the final solution drawn from the conversation, the student will be emailed an official Withdrawal Request Form to fill out and submit within two days of their meeting.  The withdrawal is processed as of the date the form is submitted, which will affect tuition refund eligibility. 

TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID
Tuition rates for the MBA@Rice program are set based on a total program tuition amount and billed per credit hour based on a student’s registration each quadmester.  Various forms of financial aid and military benefits are available for MBA@Rice students.

Please visit the Tuition and Financial Aid website for more details about the current tuition rate and to find out more information about financial aid options. 

ADDITIONAL FEES AND EXPENSES
In addition to tuition charged for each credit hour in the program, students will pay additional fees for Intensive Learning Experiences (ILEs) and textbooks.

Each student must attend at least two (ILEs) as part of the curriculum—one domestic (Rice Residential) and one international (Global Field Experience, or GFE). The Rice Residentials cost $1,000 (billed as $500 per course), which includes all meals and lodging; the GFE costs $2,000, which includes some meals and lodging. These fees do not include transportation to and from the ILE location.

The ILE program fees are charged to the student in the semesters in which they are registered for an ILE course. These fees are set annually.

Students should also expect to pay $1,000 to $2,500 for textbooks for the program, based on the availability of used books and elective courses taken.

LATE REGISTRATION FEE
All returning students are required to register for courses by 5:00pm CT on the Friday of the week registration opens. If a student fails to register for at least one (1) course in time, they are subject to a late registration fee of $75.

Additionally, students will be subject to a second late registration fee of an additional $125 if they register for courses after the quadmester begins. 

REFUNDS
Tuition for courses dropped by the drop deadline each quadmester are fully refunded back to the student.  

The total number of attempted credit hours is reviewed for each student upon graduation so that if a student completes additional courses above the 54 credit hours required for graduation, any additional tuition paid is refunded at the end of the program.  Tuition charged for courses that are approved for a late drop are refunded as part of this post-graduation review.

If a student requests a Leave of Absence (LOA) or withdrawal for a quadmester, the tuition refund is determined based on the withdrawal refund percentage as of the date their LOA or withdrawal request form is submitted.

Jones Graduate School of Business students are bound to, and must abide by, the Rice University Student Code of Conduct. As an academic community, it is necessary for Rice University to articulate and enforce standards of behavior. Such standards are not intended merely to prohibit misbehavior and to punish violations of regulations but to educate about behavior and character traits that the community wishes to promote or discourage; to protect members of the community from harm or unwarranted interference; to hold individuals and groups responsible for their actions and the consequences of their behavior; and to cultivate an environment conducive to our community’s primary purpose — education.

This Code is not a substitute for criminal or civil judicial proceedings and it is not intended to restrict or discourage any complainant or potential complainant from using criminal or civil justice systems. Disciplinary action under this Code does not preclude sanctions or remedies under criminal or civil laws. Rice University and individual complainants or victims may, wholly apart from this Code, refer suspected criminal law violations to the criminal justice system, pursue available remedies through civil court proceedings, and avail themselves of other forms of dispute resolution.

The information contained in this Code is intended to aid efforts to ascertain the facts of a disciplinary matter or allegation and to reach a just decision. The Code is not intended to, and  does not, confer any contractual rights on any individuals involved. Circumstances can differ greatly between matters, and the Rice University Student Judicial Programs may modify the procedures in a particular matter in order to reach a timely and just decision.

For more information regarding the University Code of Conduct, please reference: https://sjp.rice.edu/code-of-student-conduct 

Students must meet both academic and professional standards to continue academic work and to graduate. In accepting admission to the MBA degree program, all students agree to be governed by the standards and procedures for dismissal or disciplinary action stated below.

Academic Standards​
A minimum overall grade point average of 3.000 (B) is required for graduation. All courses taken for the MBA degree (including approved courses taken at the university, but outside the Jones Graduate School of Business ) are counted in the cumulative grade point average calculation.

Students with a cumulative grade point average lower than 3.000 at the end of any semester will be notified of standing. Students not meeting the 3.000 requirement will be provided specific instruction and guidance on next steps specific to their academic situation. In some cases, students may submit an appeal to the Jones Graduate School of Business Academic Standards Committee requesting to be placed on probation. The committee reviews all academic cases, and may consult the dean’s office for counsel and/or suggestions on proposed handling of the case. The committee will decide, based on circumstances of the appeal, whether the student may resume studies on academic probation; is to be academically suspended for one semester or an academic year; or is to be dismissed from the MBA Program.

Students proposing to return after a period of academic suspension must apply to the Academic Standards Committee and receive permission to be readmitted. If permitted to return, the student will pay the current rate of tuition, based upon the class of students he/she is joining.

Only grades of C and above are counted for credit toward graduation. If students receive a grade below C in a course required for graduation, they must repeat the course. If students receive a grade lower than C in an elective course, they need not repeat the specific course, but they must make up the credit hours. If the required course is not offered again prior to graduation, the student will be permitted to take the course the following academic year, but will be charged the current pro-rated tuition for the program in which the additional course work is completed.

Jones Graduate School of Business students may not take courses pass/fail to count toward their degree requirements. Jones Graduate School of Business students may audit courses with departmental and professor approval. The courses will not count toward the MBA, but will appear on the transcript.

Professional Standards​

MBA students are held to the highest standards of professional conduct expected of managers—standards substantially exceeding those expected of them simply as students. Students may be dismissed or suspended for failure to meet professional standards, as defined in the University Code of Conduct (ga.rice.edu/graduate-students/rights-responsibilities/code-student-conduct). The dean may place a student on disciplinary probation for unacceptable conduct, giving oral and written notice that future misconduct will lead to the filing of specific charges. This probationary notice, however, is not required as a precondition for filing specific charges.

The JGSB adheres to a grading policy for all core and elective course work across all program formats. For all courses:

GRADE CONVERSION

Grade Letter      GPA

A+  4.00

A   4.00

A-     3.67

B+     3.33

B      3.00

B-    2.67

C+  2.33

C   2.00

C-    1.67

D+   1.33

D     1.00

D-     0.67

F     0.00

• The individual instructor ordinarily determines grades. If a course is team-taught, the teaching team determines the grades collectively.

• Once a grade has been submitted to the Registrar’s Office, university policy states that the grade may be changed only by submitting an appeal to the Academic Standards Committee.

• The grade of A+ is given only as an exceptional grade reflecting extraordinary achievement by a student.

• Only grades of C and above are counted for credit toward graduation. If students receive a grade below C in a core course, they must repeat the course. If students receive a grade below C in an elective course, they need not repeat the specific course, but they must make up the credit hours.

• Grades are considered final and are rarely, if ever, changed for any reason other than calculation or clerical errors.

• JGSB students may audit courses with instructor and JGSB associate registrar approval. The course will not count towards the MBA; however, it will appear on the student’s transcript.

Grading Policy for Core Courses:

• No more than half of all grades assigned by an instructor may be an A- or above.

• A course GPA (combining multiple sections where necessary) between 3.30 and 3.50 should be used as a “target” for assigning grades.

• Instructors in multi-section courses should coordinate the assignment of final grades such that they reflect a consistent grading philosophy for the overall course.

Grading Policy for Elective Courses:

• Regardless of class size, instructors should target the course GPA (combining multiple sections where necessary) to fall between 3.50 and 3.80.

• Instructors in multi-section electives should coordinate the assignment of the final grade such that grades reflect a consistent grading philosophy for the overall course.

Grade of Incomplete

Faculty may only assign a grade of incomplete when a student fails to complete a course due to verified illness or other circumstances beyond the student’s control that occurred during the term. Students must make arrangements with the professor to complete all work within an agreed deadline, and faculty must submit a revised grade by the end of the fourth week of the next quadmester. Students with an “incomplete” must deliver all tests, papers, and other materials required to complete the course to the professor providing ample time for the professor to grade the documents and submit a grade to the JGSB associate registrar by the deadline.

Once a course grade has been assigned by an instructor, it is generally considered final and is rarely changed for any reason. Student appeals shall be limited to calculation errors or an alleged failure of the instructor to follow the grading norms set forth in the course syllabus. The procedure below outlines the process by which a student may appeal a course grade. Appeals to the Academic Standards Committee cannot be made until a course grade is assigned; grading questions concerning a particular assessment within the term should be addressed following whatever formal or informal process the instructor has outlined for the course (see step 1).

1. The student should first pursue any grading question with the instructor following whatever formal or informal process the instructor has outlined for the course.
   

2. If the matter is not resolved in step 1 above, the student must file (via email) a written appeal to the instructor, copying the senior associate dean of degree programs. This written appeal must be filed no later than 30 days after the last day of finals for the term (mini-term) in which the course was offered. If the instructor feels further discussion is warranted based on the written appeal, the instructor may discuss the appeal with the student directly. Within two weeks of receiving the written appeal, the instructor should notify (via email) both the student and the senior associate dean of their opinion regarding the appeal.
   

3. If the issue is not resolved to the satisfaction of both the student and the instructor within two weeks of the student’s written appeal in step 2, the student may appeal to the Academic Standards Committee by emailing a written notice to jgs-academic-standards@rice.edu describing the grounds for the appeal, copying the instructor and the senior associate dean. This appeal must be sent within four weeks of the student’s initial written appeal in step 2.
   

4. The Academic Standards Committee will consider the appeal based on information provided by the instructor and the student. At its discretion, the Committee may hold a hearing to further consider the matter. The decision of the Academic Standards Committee will be rendered within four weeks of receiving a written notice of appeal (step 3).
   

5. The decision rendered by the Academic Standards Committee is generally final, except for extraordinary cases in which there was a procedural error or major information omission in the steps above. Appeals beyond the Academic Standards Committee must go to the dean of the JGSB, who may seek guidance from other constituents of the school. All decisions rendered by the dean are final.
   

6. In the event that the protested grade is necessary for the student to graduate, an accelerated schedule will be followed.
   

7. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and amendments govern records of these actions.
    

A student who wishes to appeal a dismissal should address the following issues in a letter to the Academic Standards Committee. The student must send the letter to the Director, Student Success & Academic Advising. The following questions should be answered in the appeal letter.

1. What circumstances led to your academic performance last quadmester and to what degree were those circumstances beyond your control?

2. If your performance in a particular course(s) last quadmester was below par, describe any circumstances specific to that course that explain your performance.

3. Do you expect the circumstances that created the problems for you last quadmester to change next quadmester? If so, how?

You may include other relevant information in your appeal letter.

Timing​—Appeal letters should be sent to the Director, Student Success & Academic Advising by the deadline stated on the notification of academic standing. Students planning to appeal should continue to attend classes. It is important to remain current in registered courses during the appeal process.

Appeals​—Appeals beyond the Academic Standards Committee must go to the dean of the JGSB, who may seek guidance from others. All decisions rendered by the dean are final.

Confidentiality​—The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and amendments govern the records of actions related to appeals. 

LIVE SESSIONS 

For each course, students are required to attend weekly synchronous (live) class sessions via Zoom. These sessions, led by section professors, are held at a designated day and time each week and run 90-minutes in length. Students are required to attend all live sessions and should speak directly with their section instructor if they are unable to attend a live session.

WEEKLY PREPARATION
Students complete both synchronous and asynchronous materials each week. They are required to complete readings, watch recorded lecture material, and complete assignments prior to the live session each week. Students are expected to come to class having completed all asynchronous material before attending each live session.

Please note: Faculty have access to Digital Campus and are able to see who has viewed the asynchronous material and downloaded files each week. Failure to prepare for class may negatively impact class participation and final grade.

LIVE SESSION/ZOOM CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE POLICY
Students will be attending live sessions via Zoom with 10-20 others each week and need to follow these guidelines to ensure a proper educational environment is shared by all. 

• Be Prepared

  • Complete assigned asynchronous work prior to class start.

  • Ensure that computer is connected to dedicated internet and webcam and microphone are enabled and in working order. Students are expected to be visible, in-focus via camera, and to verbally participate each class.

  • Allow time prior to class time to connect to Zoom session and work through any troubleshooting.

• Be Present

  • Attend from a quiet place with no distractions. People movement, background noises, and eating on-camera are a distraction to all. 

  • Leave professional and personal commitments and tend to them once class is over.

• Be Engaged 

  • Remove distractions like social media, texting, multitasking during live sessions.

  • Use professional Zoom backdrops while in attendance. Rice Business backdrops are available below.

DIY RICE UNIVERSITY ZOOM BACKGROUNDS
To help with creating a more cohesive and professional classroom environment, students can create their own Rice University Zoom background. Created by the JGSB Office of Academic Programs & Student Experience, use these backgrounds in class and represent MBA pride at work.

ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students are allowed two (2) excused absences for ten (10) week courses and one excused absence for five (5) week courses. If a student needs to miss class for any reason, they must contact their section instructor. Additional absences may affect the final grade for the course.

TEXTBOOKS AND COURSE MATERIALS

Study.Net:  Students access their course packs and reading materials by clicking on the Study.Net materials link located within the course site in the left-hand navigation panel.   

Textbooks: Students are responsible for acquiring required textbooks. Textbooks can be found via the Rice University Campus Store or other various 3rd party websites selling/renting textbooks. 

EXAM POLICIES
Exams and policies may vary per course but unless stated, midterm and/or final exams open on the Friday of the designated week stated in the syllabus. They are set to remain open for 10 days until 11:59 pm CT the following Sunday night. There is a time limit to complete exams, typically 3 to 5 hours. The time limit begins when you open the exam. Most exams will be take-home and open book.

RESCHEDULED/CANCELLATION OF CLASS
It is the goal of Rice to hold live class sessions as scheduled each term. However, if conditions warrant the cancellation of a class, section instructors will notify students via Digital Campus/email regarding cancellation and rescheduling. Refer to the "Calendar" section above regarding Holidays and course schedules.