Launched in Spring 2026, the BIZ Path to the MBA offers high-achieving undergraduate students majoring in business disciplines the opportunity to complete coursework to earn an MBA from the Manderson Graduate School of Business in only one calendar year beyond the completion of an undergraduate degree.
The program is centered around innovative solutions to real-world problems and runs parallel to its sister programs, the STEM Path to the MBA and the CREATE Path to the MBA. Using nontraditional classroom methods and experiential learning opportunities, students on the BIZ Path to the MBA have the opportunity to grow both academically deep into their chosen major and functionally broad across different areas like communication, leadership, and professionalism. An added benefit of running parallel to the STEM and CREATE Path to the MBA is that BIZ MBA students will gain exposure to the technical and creative backgrounds of their peers, further diversifying their frame of reference for problem-solving.
At The University of Alabama, the MBA experience is more than a credential — it is a launchpad for students with goals and diverse ambitions. Whether preparing for a career in medicine or advancing in technology and leadership, students like Andrew Fickel and Nate Pedigo are leveraging their MBA education to expand their perspectives, strengthen their leadership skills, and position themselves for long-term success.
You can apply to the BIZ Path to the MBA after being admitted to The University of Alabama. Applications are open until the seats in the freshman class are full, at which point students are eligible to be placed on the waiting list. Therefore, it is better to apply for the BIZ Path to the MBA earlier rather than later to secure a spot in the freshman class.
Admission to the BIZ Path to the MBA is not automatic. You must fill out the online application here to be considered for admittance. Admittance will be communicated via your Crimson email address, typically within ten days.
Apply to the BIZ Path to the MBA for Entering Freshmen
The standardized test scores and GPA requirements are similar to those of the Honors College (3.75 high school GPA and 29 ACT or 1350 new SAT).
In the fall of your junior year, you will apply separately to the MBA Program. The application process is similar to that of the traditional MBA path. You must have a 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA and preferably a 555 GMAT/305 GRE. You will also secure several supporting documents, including a resume, statement of purpose, and recommendation letters. Consistent with the requirements of the Graduate School, you will need at least 91 credit hours completed before you can begin graduate-level coursework. So, by the end of your junior year spring semester, you must have at least 91 credit hours.
More information about the MBA Program’s admission requirements.
Running alongside the STEM and CREATE Paths to the MBA, you will take a STEM Business Honors course each semester worth 1.5 credit hours that meets for 75 minutes per week. The class section size is limited to 35 students, and each semester covers a business topic like Marketing, Accounting, or Operations Management, among others. In addition, you will engage in several innovation group projects, closing out each semester with a case study based on the semester’s business topic. You are encouraged to stay with the same faculty member for each STEM Business Honors course to develop a mentorship with your professor and a sense of camaraderie with your cohort. Additionally, the STEM Business Honors courses and MBA courses will fulfill your departmental honors credit requirement as a student in the Honors College.
After you are admitted into the MBA Program, you will take one summer semester of three online MBA classes between your junior and senior years. The courses are online to allow you to engage in study abroad, internship, or co-op experiences while staying on track academically. During senior year, you will take another set of 1.5 credit hour STEM Business Honors courses dedicated to your senior project. You will take another semester of three online MBA classes between your senior year and MBA year. Finally, you will return to campus and take five courses in the fall and five courses in the spring to complete the MBA.
Starting freshman year, you will be assigned group innovation projects every semester that involve developing business models and conducting customer discovery for new products or businesses. These innovation projects are themed; some past examples include NASA IP, a project focused on creating a marketable application of NASA intellectual property, and SmartCampus, which focuses on integrating modern techniques and technologies into university campuses to solve everyday problems. Typically, there are one to two innovation projects per semester. STEM, CREATE, BIZ Path students also engage in a virtual study abroad program during each of the first three years. These programs allow students to interview residents, business experts, government officials, and others from countries like Colombia, Kenya, India, and Cambodia. Additionally, as a final project, there is a case study focusing on the business topic of the semester. During your senior year, you will work on a year-long group project sourced from actual companies on the STEM and CREATE Paths to the MBA Advisory Board.
Freshman Year:
Sophomore Year:
Junior Year:
Senior Year:
MBA Year:
*Assumes completion of 91 credit hours and admission to Graduate School