FAQs

Q. What are the admissions requirements and application deadlines?
A. Our Online MBA (OMBA) program offers admission in the spring, summer and fall semesters. Read our admissions requirements and rolling deadlines.

Q. How do I apply to the program?
A. Review the list of required application materials and access the OMBA application.

Q. How can I learn more about the program?
A. We offer many ways for you to learn more about our OMBA program:

• Participate in virtual information sessions and webinars.  
• Attend events including graduate fairs, MBA/MS fairs and tours, and community and professional organization events
• Schedule an appointment to meet with an admissions advisor
• Watch information sessions and discussions with students, alumni and faculty via our on-demand digital library
• Engage with us on our social media channels

Q. Can I apply to both the full-time MBA and Online MBA program at the same time?
A. Yes, you can. But consider which program is the best fit and prioritize your application accordingly.

Q. Do I need professional work experience in order to apply?
A. The UB Online MBA program is for working professionals. We will consider a wide array of work experiences including internships, and full-time pre- or post-bachelor’s work experience. Typical working professional students have a minimum of two to three years of work experience by the time they enroll. Contact us to discuss your profile.

Q. Are international applicants eligible to apply?
A. Yes. However, the OMBA program is a fully online program and we do not issue F1 student visas for this program.

Q. When will I receive an admissions decision?
A. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis and will be provided approximately two weeks from the time a completed application is received.

Q. Can I defer my admission?

A. You are eligible to defer an admission offer for up to one calendar year from the original admit term. You may only request to defer once. To request a deferral after admission to a program, please submit a request for a deferral on the intent form or email the Office of Enrollment at som-apps@buffalo.edu.

You may request a deferral prior to paying your tuition deposit. If you request a deferral after paying your tuition deposit, the deposit will defer along with your admission. You must request a deferral prior to the start date of classes of your original admit term.

The following exceptions apply:

• Students who receive an auto-admit offer for a specific term may not defer.
• 3/2 BS/MBA and 4+1 BS/MS applicants may not defer.
• PhD admits are considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the department.

Q. How much the does the OMBA program cost?
A. Our tuition delivers a powerful educational value for New York State residents and provides a competitive cost basis for non-New York State residents. OMBA students pay online MBA tuition and fees on a per-credit basis. View the UB student accounts website.

Q. Will I be charged New York State Resident or Non-Resident Online Tuition and Fees?
A. To qualify for New York State Resident Online tuition and fees, you will need to provide documentation supporting your New York State residency. Reference the Verifying New York State Residency webpage for more information. 

Q. Are there scholarship opportunities?
A. At this time, we do not offer OMBA program scholarships. Many OMBA students fund their study through company reimbursement and/or financial aid.

Q. Can I apply for financial aid?
A. Admitted OMBA students taking a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester may apply for financial aid.

Q. When do I have to pay tuition and fees?
A.  The first payment due is your $500 tuition deposit. Your tuition will be due according to university's schedule. Note: tuition and fees cannot be paid in cash.

Q. Is the $500 tuition deposit refundable?

A.  Students must request, in writing, a deposit refund by the following dates:

• Fall: Refund requests for deposits made for the fall semester must be received by May 1 or 30 days after the offer of admissions, whichever is later.*
• Spring: Refund requests for deposits made for the spring semester must be received by November 1 or 30 days after the offer of admissions, whichever is later.*
• Summer: Refund requests for deposits made for the summer semester must be received by April 1 or 30 days after the offer of admissions, whichever is later.*

* There are no refunds of the tuition deposit after the first day of classes. 

Refund requests made after the dates noted above will not be considered.

Q: Do students in online-only degree programs need proof of immunizations and health insurance?

A: Students in academic programs certified as online-only degree programs are automatically exempt from the immunization and health requirements. There is no waiver to sign as the exemption is automatically linked to the online programs.  

Q. Do I need to come to campus to complete my degree?
A. The OMBA program may be completed fully online with no requirement to come to campus for any courses or exams. Our orientation, prior to the beginning of the program, will also be delivered virtually. You are required to log on and work through each week's modules when it is convenient for you. You will also have optional live online opportunities like meet-ups with our award-winning faculty; sessions where your instructor will lead you through a real-world scenario on a particular topic; and review sessions in your quantitative courses if you need a little extra guidance.

Q. What's the student experience like?
A. Each week, your time is distributed among a variety of learning activities which fall into two categories. First, depending on the week and course, your asynchronous activities typically include viewing faculty-produced videos, reading articles/book chapters, participating in simulations, engaging in a discussion board forum, analyzing cases, recording presentations, and completing other individual and/or group assignments. Second, you can round out your week by engaging in optional live on-line events, such as ‘Buffalo Study Night’ sessions, where you can interact with the course instructor and other classmates. To finish an entire class in 7 weeks, each weekly module requires a substantial time commitment. Taking one class is the direct equivalent of studying part-time in-person. Students who successfully complete their first two classes have the option of taking two classes at a time, which is equivalent to full time study.

Q. How long does it take to complete the OMBA program?
A. Our OMBA is designed at a pace for the working professional, requiring completion of 16 courses over 33 months. You may be able to compress this completion time to as little as 24 months by taking two classes concurrently four times during the program, after successful completion of your first semester. Taking two classes concurrently is a full time course load, and elective choices may be limited in this fast track case.

Q. What is the difference between a spring, summer or fall start?
A. No matter when you start, your first several semesters will be core courses. Even though the program is delivered asynchronously, you will be scheduled with other online students entering in your cohort year to give you an opportunity to build important peer relationships.

Q. Will there be networking and social opportunities for OMBA?
A. Yes, there are many optional opportunities for networking across courses and other engagements with School of Management faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners.

Q. Do you accept transfer credits?
A. The OMBA admissions and retention committee will review requests for graduate-level transfer credits after an applicant is admitted to the program. Reference the transfer credit policy in the OMBA handbook.

Q. Are there concentrations in this program?
A. The OMBA program is a general MBA program, but you can specialize by choosing thematic industry or skills-based electives.

Q. What will my course experience be like?
A. Our seven-week courses are delivered fully online, with no classes to attend. You are required to log on and work through each week's modules when it is convenient for you. You will also have optional live online opportunities like meet-ups with our award-winning faculty; sessions where your instructor will lead you through a real-world scenario on a particular topic; and review sessions in your quantitative courses if you need a little extra guidance.

Q. How many classes do students take per semester?
A. We offer classes in fall, spring and summer terms. Your program is delivered fully online in manageable seven-week modules. Most Online MBA students take one 3-credit course per seven-week module. The program can be completed in as few as two or as many as four years. Speed up or slow down — it’s up to you.

Q. When do classes start?
A. Refer to the UB academic calendar for start dates. We also note the first day of classes in program acceptance letters. Pay close attention to pre-enrollment communications from our admissions and advising teams for arrival and orientation dates.

Q. Will I need to buy books or course materials?
A. Yes. Faculty members will advise on the first day of class via the course syllabus if you need textbooks or course material packs. Typically course material packs are downloadable for either a fee or for free. If you are assigned a textbook, it will be available in the University Bookstore or through other online sources. 

Q. How many hours per week will I need to study?
A. Study time varies greatly from student to student and fluctuates throughout the semester based on assignments and exams. Some weeks are work-intensive and some are not, depending on the course.

Q. What is the teaching style of UB OMBA professors?
A. UB faculty employ theoretical, case study, applied and practical teaching methods throughout the curriculum. The individual professor chooses the teaching method, and most courses will combine these methods.

Q. Do I need professional work experience to apply?
A. The Online MBA program is for working professionals. We will consider a wide array of professional work experiences including internships, and full-time pre- or post-bachelor’s work experience. Typical working professional students have a minimum of two to three years of work experience by the time they enroll. Contact us to discuss your profile.

Q. Do I have to be employed to complete the OMBA program?
A. While you are not required to be employed while enrolled, the Online MBA program is for working professionals, meaning we expect you will be attending school and working at the same time. However, we understand employment comes in a wide array of experiences including full-time, part time, gig work, internships, and pre- or post-Bachelor’s work experience. Contact us to discuss your profile.

Q. Do OMBA students have access to career services?
A. Yes, our Career Resource Center offers many resources to help you reach your career goals.