Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business

The Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business creates and disseminates knowledge that enhances the quality of the management of organizations. The Katz School, through faculty research programs and our doctoral program, produces high-quality research in areas of importance and infuses knowledge created by this research into all programs, but especially the MBA and related professional programs. Our school’s reputation, primarily resulting from our MBA programs and our doctoral program, allows us to attract international, national, regional, and campus partners, with whom collaboration results in specialty professional programs with the MBA program as a foundation. This includes areas such as international business, technology management/engineering, and the health sciences. Our culture of teamwork, adaptability, and flexibility permits the school to readily adapt to future environments and strategic opportunities.

The Katz School is accredited by AACSB-the International Association for Management Education.

Contact Information

University of Pittsburgh
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
Assistant Dean for MBA and Executive Programs
301 Mervis Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-6440
E-mail: valenta@katz.pitt.edu
www.business.pitt.edu/katz

Application Procedures

Please refer to individual program descriptions in this section for further information regarding application procedures for MBA programs and the doctoral program.

Degree Options

The Katz School awards the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as the Master of Science (MS) in management of information systems and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Fulltime and part-time programs are available in the following areas: accounting, finance, management of information systems, marketing, operations management, organizational behavior and human resources management, and strategy.

In addition to the above degrees, the Katz School offers a number of dual and joint degree options for students who wish to specialize and add a second professional degree to the MBA:

• MBA and MS in the management of information systems
• MBA and Master of International Business
• MBA and Master of Public and International Affairs
• MBA and MS degrees in engineering
• MBA and Juris Doctorate
• MS in Accounting
• MS in Customer Insights
• MS in Finance
• MS in Supply Chain

 

For further information regarding these dual- and joint-degree programs, please refer to MBA Program Descriptions.

Special Academic Opportunities

The Katz School offers the following special opportunities/programs:

Professional Workshops

MBA students participate in a variety of workshops throughout the program. During the Transition Module, students take a self-assessment to identify strengths and weaknesses in various managerial skills. Results of this capability assessment and career evaluation exercise help students determine those workshops that will be most beneficial to them such as presentation skills, project management, conflict resolution, creativity, problem solving, and time management.

Study Abroad

As part of a 6-credit MBA international elective course, students spend four to six weeks studying at a school in another country (past countries include the Czech Republic and India).

International Field Studies

As part of a 3-credit MBA international elective course, students spend 10 days in another part of the world studying business culture and practices and visiting different companies in other parts of the world (regions visited in the past include Eastern Europe and Latin America).

Corporate Connections

There are also a number of programs that bring CEOs of major firms to the Katz School to meet and interact with MBA students including Best Practice Partners, Executive Faculty, Executive Women’s Panel, Executive Spotlight, and the Katz on Wall Street Panel.

Graduation

A special Katz School graduation ceremony for all graduating Master’s and doctoral students is held at the end of April on campus.

Doctoral Program

The theoretically based, managerially relevant doctoral program in business administration seeks to prepare students for careers in research and teaching in management and related areas at leading business schools and universities. This is accomplished by fostering a learning environment in which students can achieve intellectual growth and fulfillment. Successful completion of the doctoral program therefore entails much more than the satisfaction of a set of formal requirements. Doctoral students are expected to assess their knowledge and skills in regular consultation with the faculty and to develop a set of educational experiences that will fulfill their needs and facilitate the pursuit of personal goals.

Contact Information

University of Pittsburgh
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
Doctoral Program
Director
282 Mervis Hall
412-648-1522
www.business.pitt.edu/katz/phd

Application Procedures

All application materials must be submitted by January 1 of the year of expected entry into the program. The basic prerequisite for admission to the doctoral program is the equivalent of an American bachelor’s degree. Many applicants also have advanced degrees and professional experience. Scores on the GMAT or GRE (as well as on the TOEFL for international students) are required, along with recommendation letters and transcripts.

Financial Aid

Most financial aid for doctoral students is in the form of an assistantship that requires research and some teaching. The assistantship provides a stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance. Assistantships are available to domestic as well as international students. Funds associated with specific research projects are sometimes available to students, and faculty often help students obtain funding for dissertation research.

Sequence of Study

Progress to the PhD consists of: the seminar phase, comprehensive examinations, teaching requirement, and the dissertation. Students complete course work in the seminar phase. This is the time during which the student sets scholarly standards and goals. Every student prepares a written statement called the Field Statement upon declaring the student’s areas of study. This is also the time to form relationships with faculty members and begin developing research skills.

Most doctoral courses involve research projects and the majority of students, including all those with assistantships, work on faculty research from an early stage. A minimum of 72 post baccalaureate credits is required for the PhD degree. A maximum of 30 credits from a previously earned master’s degree may be applied.

Formal requirements in the seminar phase are:

• Work to ensure a basic level of competence in the disciplines and functions relevant to management. Students choose 6 credits of MBA course work. Some or all of these requirements may be exempted depending on educational background and doctoral course objectives.
• Eight courses in the major area of study and three courses in the minor area of study or a seven course research methodology minor.
• A 6-credit teaching requirement.
• At least four courses in research methodology or a seven course research methodology minor.
• A grade point average of 3.3.
• A preliminary evaluation (comprehensive examinations).

Comprehensive examinations are written and oral examinations in both the major and minor area of study. Each student’s exams are designed individually, focusing on the area(s) of study. The student is expected to demonstrate comprehensive ability, meaning the ability to synthesize and build on all that the student has learned.

Dissertation

Doctoral students are required to demonstrate their capacity to engage in a sustained research effort by completing a doctoral dissertation. The dissertation entails an independent investigation of a problem of acknowledged significance and size in a management-related area. Only if the dissertation is judged to demonstrate such competence, after a formal defense in a final oral examination, does the department recommend the awarding of a degree.

For more details on requirements of doctoral students, see Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Degrees .

Teaching

All Katz doctoral students are required to teach six credits as the primary instructor, at the University of Pittsburgh as part of their graduation requirements.

Timeline to Graduation

Most students earn the PhD in four years. The seminar phase typically lasts two years, while the comprehensive exams and the dissertation together require an additional two years to complete.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations represents the maximum time permitted for the fulfillment of all requirements for the PhD degree. The statute of limitations is as follows:

1. Comprehensive examinations must be completed no later than the seventh term of study.
2. The dissertation overview examination must be successfully completed before the end of the fourth year.
3. The dissertation defense must be completed successfully before the end of the sixth year.

Exceptions to the Katz Doctoral Program statute of limitations, not to exceed the University of Pittsburgh’s statute of limitations, must be approved by the Katz Doctoral and Research Committee.

Placement

The Katz School’s goal is to place PhD graduates in universities that consistently produce highquality business research, and a successful record has been established in this regard.

Individual Curriculum Design

The school offers structured doctoral programs in the following areas of study:

• Accounting
• Business Analytics and Operations
• Finance
• Information Systems and Technology Management
• Marketing
• Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
• Strategic Management

Within the framework of these standard areas, every PhD student plans a unique, individual area of study. A student may choose any of the areas as a primary (major) area of study or as a secondary (minor) area of study. Each of the areas of study provides additional choices to meet student interests and developmental needs. All have subspecialties; all explore a range of current topics. In addition, to expand the option in the core areas, students are invited to draw on courses and research opportunities at the Katz School, as well as other parts of the University, and other institutions.

Two goals must be balanced in planning an individual program. One is to acquire a sound body of knowledge in recognized disciplines and methods. The other is to choose a mix of courses, mentors, and research topics geared to the student’s own interests and talents. Ideally, this will lead to a truly original dissertation, followed by a career of meaningful research.

Degree requirements for each of the areas of study are outlined below:

Accounting

The Katz Accounting Doctoral Program prepares graduates to succeed as accounting scholars and educators at top business schools in the United States and abroad. The program features rigorous coursework, thorough research training and close working relationships between doctoral students and faculty to prepare students to be leading accounting academics. Our graduates have an excellent track record of placements at research-oriented business schools and in succeeding in those environments.

Accounting students must complete a total of 15 seminars/courses (17 courses if they do not exempt the MBA course requirement).  This includes eight courses in their major area of study within accounting, at least four courses in research methodology, and at least three courses in a minor area of study.  Students may instead choose to complete eight courses in their major area and seven total courses in research methodology for a research methodology minor. Students should choose individually approved seminars and courses from the enclosed list of Katz seminars and courses, as well as from approved University of Pittsburgh seminars and courses.  Finally, on a limited basis students may also cross-register into approved seminars and courses at other institutions to support their overall program of study.  Each program of study must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor and the Director of the Katz Doctoral Program.  Any subsequent seminar/course changes must also be approved.

To achieve the fifteen course total, accounting doctoral students typically complete Katz accounting doctoral seminars (BACC 3000 and above) that may include Introduction to Accounting Research, Experimental Research in Accounting, Accounting Theory, Capital Markets Research in Accounting, Economic Models of Agency and Control, Accounting Theory, The Accounting Workshop, and Readings in Accounting. Students will take additional coursework in areas such as Finance, Econometrics, Game Theory, Cognitive Psychology, Experimental Design and other areas as appropriate.

Accounting doctoral students are provided with up to five years (14 terms) of financial support in the form of Graduate Student Assistantship, Teaching Assistant or Teaching Fellow. Typically students provide research assistance to their faculty mentors for approximately four years and provide teaching and teaching assistance for up to one year.

The following accounting seminars are offered by the Katz Doctoral Program (subject to student enrollment):

BACC 3001 Introduction to Accounting Research
BACC 3014 Experimental Research in Accounting
BACC 3017 Accounting Workshop
BACC 3023 Economic Models of Agency and Control
BACC 3025 Capital Markets Research in Accounting
BACC 3018 Empirical Research in Managerial Accounting
BACC 3099 Readings in Accounting

Business Analytics and Operations

Business Analytics and Operations offers flexible options for a doctoral student in a variety of related fields. These programs require coursework for about two years, followed by a period of dissertation-related research. The doctoral program prepares students for a career in teaching and research at institutions of higher learning, although a corporate job is also a possibility.

Business Analytics and Operations students must complete a total of 15 seminars/courses (17 courses if they do not exempt the MBA course requirement).  This includes eight courses in their major area of study within Business Analytics and Operations, at least four courses in research methodology, and at least three courses in a minor area of study.  Students may instead choose to complete eight courses in their major area and seven total courses in research methodology for a research methodology minor. Students should choose individually approved seminars and courses from the enclosed list of Katz seminars and courses (BQOM 3000 and above), as well as from approved University of Pittsburgh seminars and courses.  Finally, on a limited basis students may also cross-register into approved seminars and courses at other institutions to support their overall program of study.  Each program of study must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor and the Director of the Katz Doctoral Program.  Any subsequent seminar/course changes must also be approved.

To achieve the fifteen course total, Business Analytics and Operations doctoral students will complete Katz doctoral seminars (BQOM 3000 and up) that may include Linear and Nonlinear Programming, Simulation, Statistics, Stochastic Processes, Decision Theory, Current Topics in Operations which includes Supply/Value Chain, Data Mining, Business Analytics, Project Management, and Readings in Operations. Students may also take additional coursework from Katz seminars in other disciplines such as Marketing or Finance.  They may request courses from the Industrial Engineering Department and from other University of Pittsburgh approved graduate courses in addition to approved courses from other cross-registration eligible institutions.

Business Analytics and Operations doctoral students are provided with up to five years (14 terms) of financial support. Typically students provide research assistance to their faculty mentors for approximately four years and provide teaching and teaching assistance for up to one year.

The following business analytics and operations doctoral seminars are offered by the Katz Doctoral Program (subject to student enrollment):

BQOM 3011 Linear Programming  
BQOM 3012 Nonlinear Programming  
BQOM 3013 Stochastic Processes  
BQOM 3014 Networks  
BQOM 3015 Statistical Decision Theory  
BQOM 3016 Current Topics in Operations  
BQOM 3017 Adv Topics Operations Research  
BQOM 3018 Decision Making in Complex Envrn  
BQOM 3019 Total Quality Management  
BQOM 3020 Simulation  
BQOM 3021 Graph Theory  
BQOM 3022 Optimization  
BQOM 3099 Readings in Operations Research

Finance

The finance doctoral program seeks to prepare students to make significant contributions to the existing body of academic research on topics such as: the financing and investment decisions of firms; corporate governance; the behavior and determinants of security prices, including stocks, bonds, and derivatives; and the management and regulation of financial institutions. The program produces graduates that can independently identify important research questions and carry out theoretical and empirical investigation at levels suitable for publication in the top academic journals. The finance faculty works closely with students to develop suitable research topics and very often collaborates with students on joint research. In short, we strive for our graduates to obtain academic placements at top research institutions.

Finance students take courses from both the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business and the Department of Economics as part of their training. The finance faculty offers seminars that provide the core of the doctoral students’ training. These seminars introduce the theoretical underpinnings of finance. Beyond these seminars, students are expected to take additional finance seminars that focus on their chosen areas of interest. Since strong methodological skills are critical to a successful scholarly career, finance doctoral students typically also take courses in econometrics, statistics, and mathematical methods. Students are free to matriculate into courses within the Katz school, other colleges at the University of Pittsburgh (such as Statistics or Mathematics), or at Carnegie Mellon University.

A minimum of eight major and seven methodology-related courses are necessary to fulfill coursework requirements. Students typically pursue four courses per semester for two years prior to taking their comprehensive exams in late summer following their second year.

Students are also required to complete an independent research proposal/paper and submit it to the finance faculty at the end of the spring in their second year of study. It is anticipated that this proposal will eventually develop into a publishable research article; however, the main goal of the assignment is for students to gain experience in identifying important research questions and carrying out theoretical and empirical investigation of these questions.

The following finance doctoral seminars are offered by the Katz Doctoral Program (subject to student enrollment):

BFIN 3000 Finance Fundamentals
BFIN 3016 Advanced Topics in Finance
BFIN 3032 Corporate Finance Seminar 1
BFIN 3033 Corporate Finance Seminar 2
BFIN 3034 Corporate Finance Seminar 3
BFIN 3035 Financial Empirical Methods
BFIN 3036 Empirical Asset Pricing
BFIN 3037 Finance Seminar in Market Microstructure
BFIN 3038 Property Rights and Theory of The Firm
BFIN 3099 Readings in Finance

Information Systems and Technology Management

The doctoral program in Information Systems and Technology Management prepares students for successful scholarly careers in research universities. The program provides students with theoretical knowledge and methodological skills to enable them to become productive researchers. Students in Information Systems and Technology Management study problems that practicing IS professionals and managers face as they design, use, and apply information systems and technologies to solve business problems.

Information Systems and Technology Management students must complete a total of 15 seminars/courses (17 courses if they do not exempt the MBA course requirement).  This includes eight courses in their major area of study within Information Systems and Technology Management, at least four courses in research methodology, and at least three courses in a minor area of study.  Students may instead choose to complete eight courses in their major area and seven total courses in research methodology for a research methodology minor. Students should choose individually approved seminars and courses from the enclosed list of Katz seminars and courses, as well as from approved University of Pittsburgh seminars and courses.  Finally, on a limited basis students may also cross-register into approved seminars and courses at other institutions to support their overall program of study.  Each program of study must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor and the Director of the Katz Doctoral Program.  Any subsequent seminar/course changes must also be approved.

To achieve the fifteen course total, Information Systems and Technology Management doctoral students typically complete Katz ISTM doctoral seminars (BMIS 3000 and above) as noted below and combine these with choices from other disciplines, for example from Psychology or Statistics.  

BMIS 3011 Current Issues in ISTM Research and BMIS 3012 Foundations of ISTM Research are required.  Students are strongly encouraged to register for all seminars offered by the ISTM faculty.  See list below.  

ISTM doctoral students are provided with up to five years (14 terms) of financial support in the form of Graduate Student Assistantship, Teaching Assistant or Teaching Fellow. Typically students provide research assistance to their faculty mentors for approximately four years and provide teaching and teaching assistance for up to one year.

The following ISTM seminars are offered by the Katz Doctoral Program (subject to student enrollment):  

BMIS 3011: Current Issues in ISTM Research
BMIS 3012: Foundations of ISTM Research
BMIS 3019: Human Computer Interaction
BMIS 3022: Economics and Information Systems
BMIS 3023: ISTM Implementation and Organizational Change
BMIS 3025: Technology Innovation, Adoption and Diffusion

Marketing

The marketing doctoral program seeks to prepare students to contribute to the marketing discipline via the discovery, development, and dissemination of knowledge. The program is designed to equip students with the requisite theoretical background and methodological skills for successful scholarly careers at institutions of higher learning. The marketing group feels strongly that the apprenticeship model is the most efficacious approach to doctoral training and, to that end, students typically engage immediately in research projects with faculty.  Recent students have been successful in publishing these projects in leading journals such as the Journal of Consumer Research, the Journal of Marketing Research, and the Journal of Marketing

The marketing interest group offers seminars that provide the theoretical core of marketing doctoral students’ training. These seminars introduce the central conceptual and phenomenological aspects of the marketing field, as well as the methodological approaches employed in their examination. Since the field of marketing scholarship segments into consumer behavior, modeling, and marketing management, seminars are offered in each of these areas, plus a methodological and marketing theory seminar.

BMKT 3014 Marketing Strategy
BMKT 3015 Consumer Behavior
BMKT 3017 Marketing Models
BMKT 3025 Market Behavior Research
BMKT 3018 Special Topics in Marketing
BMKT 3099 Readings in Marketing

Beyond these seminars, students are expected to take additional seminars (the minimum major course requirement is eight courses) that focus on their chosen area of interest. Students are free to matriculate into courses within the Katz School, other departments at the University of Pittsburgh (such as Psychology, Economics, or Statistics), or at Carnegie Mellon University.

Since strong methodological skills are critical to a successful scholarly career, marketing doctoral students typically take seven or more courses in analytical methods, statistics, and/or econometrics (the minimum course requirement for a combined research methods/minor is seven). A focus in analytical methods or advanced statistics is the norm.  Below is a list of some of the topics offered to satisfy this requirement. These topics are offered University-wide, within Katz, or at Carnegie Mellon University.  Other choices may be proposed by the student and approved by the faculty advisor.  

Analysis of Variance
Probability Theory
Experimental Design
Multivariate Statistics
Mathematical Statistics
Introduction to Econometric Theory
Human Judgment and Decision Making
Behavioral Economics
Katz Microeconomics
Learning and Memory
Advanced Data Analysis
Advanced Topics in Emotion and Decision Making

Students are required to complete an independent research paper and submit it to the marketing faculty in the summer of their first year of study (third term). It is anticipated that this paper will develop into a publishable research article.

Marketing doctoral students are provided with up to five years (14 terms) of financial support in the form of Graduate Student Assistantship, Teaching Assistant or Teaching Fellow. Typically students provide research assistance to their faculty mentors for approximately four years and provide teaching and teaching assistance for up to one year.

Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Management

The OBHR doctoral program focuses on preparing students to impact the study of people, process and outcomes within the fields of organizational behavior and human resources management. Through research, collaboration and dissemination of knowledge, students understand how to impact organizational effectiveness in a variety of different environments, industries and across multiple levels of analyses. Our expectation is that students will craft a program of research that is built upon rigorous theory as well as strong methodological skills that are both necessary for effective scholarship. We encourage collaboration with OBHR faculty that has a proven track record of publishing within a variety of top outlets.

Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Management students must complete a total of 15 seminars/courses (17 courses if they do not exempt the MBA course requirement).  This includes eight courses in their major area of study within Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Management, at least four courses in research methodology, and at least three courses in a minor area of study.  Students may instead choose to complete eight courses in their major area and seven total courses in research methodology for a research methodology minor. Students should choose individually approved seminars and courses from the enclosed list of Katz seminars and courses, as well as from approved University of Pittsburgh seminars and courses. For example students often choose psychology, decision sciences, statistics and research methodology to name a few.   Finally, on a limited basis students may also cross-register into approved seminars and courses at other institutions to support their overall program of study.  Each program of study must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor and the Director of the Katz Doctoral Program.  Any subsequent seminar/course changes must also be approved.

Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Management doctoral students are provided with up to five years (14 terms) of financial support in the form of Graduate Student Assistantship, Teaching Assistant or Teaching Fellow. Typically students provide research assistance to their faculty mentors for approximately four years and provide teaching and teaching assistance for up to one year.

The following OBHR seminars are offered by the Katz Doctoral Program (subject to student enrollment):  

BOAH 3001 Behav Approaches to Organization
BOAH 3002 Foundations of Organizational Behavior
BOAH 3027 OBHR Research Workshop I
BOAH 3028 OBHR Research Workshop II
BOAH 3029 Groups and Social Identity
BOAH 3030 Leadership in Organizations
BOAH 3031 Adv Topics in Org Behavior
BOAH 3099 Rdgs Orgnztnl Behavior/HR Mgt

BORG 3014 Systems Change & Orgnztnl Develp
BORG 3018 Organization Cultures
BORG 3020 Topics Organizational Behavior
BORG 3099 Readings Organizational Studies

Strategic Management

Students in Strategy study the problems and issues facing general managers who must formulate and implement strategies for organizations in uncertain and ambiguous environments. Seminars cover theory and empirical findings related to strategy formulation and implementation, and are intended to familiarize students with the variety of research perspectives relevant to the strategy field. In addition, each faculty member leading a course will ask participants to build upon extant research to develop their own research topics as a first step toward publishing articles.

Strategy students must complete a total of 15 seminars/courses (17 courses if they do not exempt the MBA course requirement).  This includes eight courses in their major area of study within Strategy, at least four courses in research methodology, and at least three courses in a minor area of study.  Students may instead choose to complete eight courses in their major area and seven total courses in research methodology for a research methodology minor. Students should choose individually approved seminars and courses from the enclosed list of Katz seminars and courses, as well as from approved University of Pittsburgh seminars and courses.
Finally, on a limited basis students may also cross-register into approved seminars and courses at other institutions to support their overall program of study.  Each program of study must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor and the Director of the Katz Doctoral Program.  Any subsequent seminar/course changes must also be approved.

Strategy doctoral students are provided with up to five years (14 terms) of financial support in the form of Graduate Student Assistantship, Teaching Assistant or Teaching Fellow. Typically students provide research assistance to their faculty mentors for approximately four years and provide teaching and teaching assistance for up to one year.

The following Strategy seminars are offered by the Katz Doctoral Program (subject to student enrollment):  

BSPP 3011 Strategic Management Systems
BSPP 3012 Competitive Strategy
BSPP 3013 Foundations of Strategy Research
BSPP 3014 Research in Corporate Strategy
BSPP 3015 Strategic Management and Policy Workshop Strategy
BSPP 3018 Theory Development in Management
BSPP 3099 Readings in Strategy

MBA and Master’s Program

The following section details the full range of programs for students interested in pursuing an MBA, an MS, or an MBA and another degree at the same time. Unless otherwise noted, additional information regarding these programs may be obtained by contacting the Admissions Office.

Contact Information

Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
Director of Master’s Admissions
301 Mervis Hall
412-648-1700
Fax: 412-648-1659
E-mail: admissions@katz.pitt.edu
www.business.pitt.edu/katz/

Application Procedures

http://www.business.pitt.edu/katz/

Applicants should have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or its equivalent and should demonstrate quantitative competence via academic coursework and GMAT or GRE. Applicants should be able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills that are evaluated through written essays, test scores, and/or a personal interview.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required, and for international applicants, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also a requirement. International applicants should also see the section on Admissions of International Students in the front section of this bulletin.

Financial Assistance

The primary sources of financial assistance for incoming full-time Katz MBA students are tuition scholarships and loans.  Scholarships are not available for the MS programs.

Merit-based scholarships are awarded in various dollar amounts and are directly applied against tuition charges. Katz School scholarships are available to full-time U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and international students. Award notifications are mailed along with the official admission decision. While consideration for scholarship candidate is independent of the admissions decision, there is no additional application required.

There are several educational loan programs available for students. All of them offer very reasonable interest rates.

Tuition and Fees

http://www.ir.pitt.edu/tuition/index.php

Actual tuition for the one-year and two-year programs is approximately the same. However, students in the two-year program will incur additional cost in academic fees, as they will be attending the equivalent of one additional term.

Master’s Program Academic Standards

The following section details academic standards for the full-time MBA programs.

Good Academic Standing

In order to maintain good academic standing, a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above in all courses applicable to the MBA degree is required throughout the program and for graduation from the Katz program.

Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy

Any student whose GPA falls below 3.00 at any time during the program may be subject to academic probation and/or dismissal from the full-time program. Exceptions to the school’s guidelines and procedures may be considered only through written petition to the assistant dean for Master’s programs.

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List for full-time students is compiled at the end of each term and consists of 20 percent of the student body with the highest grade point averages (3.75 or above).

Other Academic Honors

The Katz School recognizes high academic achievement and leadership through the following honors and awards.

Albert Wesley Frey Prize is awarded to a full-time MBA student for the highest academic performance among all full-time graduating students.

Beta Gamma Sigma is an international honor society recognizing the outstanding academic achievements of students enrolled in collegiate business and management programs.

Brosius Creativity Award is awarded to those students demonstrating exceptional creativity in their program of study.

Dean’s Outstanding Student Service Award is awarded at graduation to an MBA student for exemplary service and leadership.

Marshall Alan Robinson Prize is awarded at graduation to a full-time MBA student who has demonstrated academic and professional excellence in the MBA program.

Outstanding Part-time MBA Student of the Year Award is awarded at graduation for exemplary academic performance and leadership.

Outstanding Master of Science in Accounting Student of the Year Award is awarded at graduation for exemplary academic performance and leadership

Peter Stipanovich Award is awarded to the outstanding full-time MBA student in finance.

Sheth Scholar in Marketing is awarded to two MBA students each year for exemplary performance in marketing course work.

Vincent W. Lanfear Prize is awarded to an evening MBA student for highest academic performance among all part-time graduating students.

Transfer of Graduate-Level Courses

Students are permitted to transfer up to 17 graduate credit hours (for the one year program), 19 (for the two year program) from other AACSB-accredited MBA programs. However, these credits may not have been applied to another degree. If a student earned a degree at another school, the student must verify by letter that the courses desired for transfer did not apply to that degree; if a degree was not earned then a letter is not necessary. All courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or higher to be eligible for transfer consideration.

If a student wishes to have previously earned graduate credits applied to the MBA degree as transfer credits, the appropriate forms must be completed and returned to the school’s student records office. The appropriate faculty members will inform the student of the results after a review.

If a student must relocate during his or her studies at the Katz School, one-third of the total required credits may be taken at an AACSB-accredited MBA program to complete the MBA degree at the University of Pittsburgh. Courses taken at other institutions must be approved by the Katz School faculty. It is therefore recommended that each course be pre-approved for transfer before enrollment.

A student must have earned two-thirds of their total required credits from the University of Pittsburgh in order to qualify for an MBA from the Katz School. Note that all transfer credits are subject to the guidelines imposed by the statute of limitations.

Statute of Limitations

The Katz School requires completion of all degree requirements within four years of original registration. Under extraordinary circumstances, this statute may be extended, one year at a time, to a maximum of six years. The director of student services, upon written request, will consider extension of the statute of limitations. A detailed request must be filed before the end of the statutory period. Under no circumstances will a student be allowed more than six years to complete the MBA degree.

This statute of limitations also governs the acceptability of transfer credits. Presented as part of the MBA, credits earned outside the Katz School must have been earned within the four-year period of the date of graduation. Credits more than four years old but less than six years as of graduation will be considered for acceptance upon written petition to the executive associate dean.

Academic Integrity

All students are expected to adhere to the school’s Code of Academic Standards, copies of which are available in the dean’s office as well as the school library. These standards follow the University’s guidelines with several procedure changes. Students may also contact the school’s academic integrity officer for advice or clarification of academic integrity guidelines.

Career Management and Academic Advising

The Career Management team assists all full-time and professional MBA students, as well as the students in the five specialized masters degree programs. The mission is to be a collaborative career management partner with both students and corporate recruiters, as well as an industry leader in professional development.  The team is committed to providing advice in a manner that is designed to tailor a career path to fit each student’s unique strengths and professional competentcies, and develop and execute a job search plan to secure employment post-graduation. More information on the career management team can be found at http://hire.katz.pitt.edu.

MBA Programs & Student Services

The goal of the MBA Programs team is exceptional student satisfaction. The MBA Program Office staff are subject matter experts who assist MBA advisors and faculty in the delivery of various MBA Programs: One-Year Full Time MBA, Two-Year Full Time MBA, Part Time MBA, Corporate MBA Programs, and Special International Programs. The team also manages student events and activities, including Orientation, Academic Workshops and Professional Skills Development. The MBA Student Services team is part of the MBA Program Office and manages matriculation, registration, curriculum delivery and graduation processes for MBA students.

The MBA Advisors are part of the MBA Student Services team.  The advisors are responsible for advising MBA, joint and dual degree students regarding requirements and procedures of the MBA program.  The advisors will verify degree requirements, and are responsible for making sure students stay on track for graduation.  The academic advisors work very closely with the career advisors to ensure overall cohesiveness.

Faculty

Katz Graduate School of Business Faculty  

Courses