Rowan expands MBA options with new 30-credit pathway

Beginning in fall 2026, William G. Rohrer College of Business (RCB) will offer a new 30-credit Master of Business Administration pathway alongside its established 36-credit MBA program, providing students with greater flexibility in how they pursue advanced business education.

The new option was created to meet growing demand for MBA programs that can be completed more efficiently while maintaining the academic standards and comprehensive foundation expected of a graduate business degree.

“Graduate business education should not simply prepare professionals for the careers of today. It should empower them to shape the careers and opportunities of tomorrow. Our approach recognizes that there is no single path to professional success. This is about building a graduate experience that meets students where they are, helps them envision where they want to go, and gives them the knowledge, confidence and agility to get there. In doing so, we are expanding access and increasing the ROI for students pursuing an MBA,” said Matthew Sarkees, dean of Rohrer College of Business.

All MBA pathways share the same 18-credit core curriculum, ensuring that students develop advanced knowledge in accounting, finance, operations, organizational leadership, responsible management, information systems, marketing and strategy. Students in Rowan MBA programs also complete concentration coursework that allows them to deepen their expertise in a selected area of business.

Students pursuing the new 30-credit MBA complete the full 18-credit MBA core, one 9-credit concentration and one 3-credit graduate business elective.

This structure allows students to focus their studies on a specific area of interest while reducing overall degree requirements by six credits compared with the traditional MBA.

Jennifer Maden, assistant dean for graduate studies and director of the MBA program, explained that the decision to offer a new MBA option was not about choosing between rigor or flexibility. “Students in all Rowan MBA options complete the full core curriculum and advanced study in a concentration. We can now help students choose an MBA structure based on what they want the degree to accomplish rather than assume that one structure is right for everyone,” said Maden.

The new pathway is particularly well suited for professionals seeking a streamlined route to an MBA credential, as well as students whose career goals align with developing expertise in a single business discipline.

The introduction of the 30-credit option does not replace Rowan's longstanding MBA structure.

Students enrolled in the 36-credit MBA complete the same 18-credit MBA core along with 18 credits of concentration and elective coursework. Those additional credits allow students to pursue two concentrations or combine one concentration with multiple graduate business electives.

The expanded coursework provides opportunities to build expertise across multiple disciplines, explore emerging business topics or customize the degree to align with specific professional interests.

Students in all MBA pathways learn from the same Rohrer College of Business faculty and may study together in many of the same course sections. The different options represent alternate approaches to completing the MBA rather than different levels of academic quality.

William G. Rohrer College of Business at Rowan University provides rigorous, applied business education designed to help students and professionals build the knowledge, judgment and capabilities needed to lead in changing organizations and industries. Accredited by AACSB International, the College combines faculty expertise, experiential learning and strong connections to the business community with flexible academic pathways for students at different stages of their education and careers.

RCB Graduate Business offerings include the MBA, STEM MBA, Master of Science in Finance, Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, graduate certificates and accelerated pathways. Rowan’s part-time MBA was also included in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 graduate program rankings. Programs are designed to support a range of professional goals, with options for working professionals as well as students pursuing graduate study on a full-time basis.

Learn more about Graduate Business at go.rowan.edu/GraduateBusiness.