Graduate programs

Full-Time Two-Year MBA

Accelerate your career with a top-ranked, rigorous MBA program set in the heart of Dallas

Request Information on the Full-Time Two-Year MBA


Loading...

Admission Events

Apply

Program format

In person

Commitment

Full time

Duration

21 months

Overview

The Full-Time Two-Year MBA at SMU Cox is designed for ambitious professionals who want to accelerate their careers, expand their leadership capabilities and prepare for the next stage of their professional journey. Through a STEM-certified curriculum that combines rigorous academics with experiential learning, students develop the analytical, strategic and leadership skills needed to navigate today's complex business environment. Small, intentionally selected cohorts foster meaningful collaboration with accomplished classmates and close engagement with faculty who bring deep academic expertise and real-world business experience to the classroom.

Students can customize their MBA experience through concentrations and minors across key business disciplines while applying what they learn through consulting projects, case competitions and other hands-on experiences. The Global Leadership Program further broadens students' perspectives by providing opportunities to solve business challenges for organizations operating in international markets. Together, these experiences help students build the confidence, adaptability and global mindset employers seek.

Beyond the classroom, students benefit from comprehensive career support, leadership development and strong connections to the Dallas business community. Personalized career coaching, employer engagement and access to a 42,000-plus-member alumni network help students identify new opportunities, build meaningful professional relationships and successfully pursue career advancement or transition after graduation.

Be a part of something great

Build leadership skills, gain hands-on experience and expand your network in a dynamic business hub. The SMU Cox Full-Time Two-Year MBA prepares you to turn ambition into impact and opportunity into advancement.

Student success

At SMU Cox, career preparation is woven throughout the Full-Time MBA experience. From personalized career coaching and leadership development to experiential learning and meaningful connections with employers and alumni, students gain the skills, confidence and professional network to pursue ambitious career goals. This comprehensive support helps graduates navigate career transitions, compete for top opportunities and create lasting professional success.

This program prepares you to excel in the following areas and professions:

  • Management consulting
  • Investment banking and corporate finance
  • Product management
  • Corporate strategy and business development
  • Private equity and venture capital
  • Entrepreneurship and startup leadership
  • Supply chain, operations and logistics
  • Data analytics and business intelligence

#25

Best Business School and MBA Program in the U.S.

Fortune (2026)

88%

job acceptance rate within six months of graduation

2025 FTMBA Employment Report

$126,000

average base salary

2025 FTMBA Employment Report

Student stories

headshot of Jack Reagor

Jack Reagor, '25

“Earning my MBA from SMU Cox allowed me to successfully pivot from engineering to consulting. It gave me access to a broader network, particularly within the Dallas business community, which has already been very valuable in my career.”

Headshot of Caitly Reynoso

Caitly Reynoso, ’25

“No matter your background, age or career path, there is a place for you here and a network ready to support you. You won't walk your journey alone!”

Admissions

Deadlines and details

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Application questions

Meet 1:1 with a Cox Graduate Admissions team member about the application process.

Additional links

Requirements

  1. Online application (no application fee)
  2. Professional résumé
  3. Essays
  4. Optional GMAT, GRE or EA test scores, taken within the last five years
  5. Unofficial transcripts: Upload with your application. (Note: Official transcripts are ultimately required from all colleges and universities where you completed 12 or more credit hours)

View all requirements

Ready to apply?

Get started here. No application fee required.

Tuition and financial aid

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for graduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

MAST 6478

Data Analytics

Develops a fundamental understanding of data and its applications to business. Focuses on solving problems, including recognizing which statistical methodology to use and applying the methodology.

MNGT 6230

The Unbridled Venture Project

Over a period of three modules, students work in groups of five applying concepts and methods learned in their core courses to launch a new product or service in a new venture or create a new product or service within an existing organization.

MNO 6202

Leading Teams and Organizations

Provides students the analytical and behavioral tools necessary to effectively develop and utilize groups of people to accomplish organizational strategies and goals.

View course catalog

Outside the classroom

Research

The research conducted by SMU Cox faculty reflects the evolving challenges and opportunities shaping business today. As recognized scholars and industry experts, they bring current research, emerging trends and real-world insights into the classroom, enriching discussions with perspectives that are both academically rigorous and immediately relevant. Students benefit from a learning experience informed by the ideas influencing business leaders, organizations and markets around the world.

Faculty

SMU Cox faculty combine distinguished academic credentials with extensive experience advising organizations and solving real-world business challenges. As accomplished researchers, consultants and industry practitioners, they bring current insights and practical perspective to every classroom discussion. Their expertise helps students develop the strategic thinking, analytical skills and leadership capabilities needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving business environment.

This is a carousel with rotating cards. Use the previous and next buttons to navigate, and Enter to activate cards.

Marci Armstrong

Marci Armstrong

Professor of Practice
Amit Basu

Amit Basu

Professor
Carr P. Collins Chair in Management Information Sciences
Department Chair
Gauri Bhat

Gauri Bhat

Associate Professor
headshot of Wayne Crawford

Wayne Crawford

Professor of Practice
Bill Dillon

Bill Dillon

Professor
The Herman W. Lay Professor of Marketing
Former Senior Associate Dean (1996-2026)

Edward Fox

Professor
Dean’s Distinguished Research Professor
W.R. & Judy Howell Director of the…
Shane Goodwin

Shane Goodwin

Executive Director, SMU Corporate Governance Initiative
Professor of Practice,…
Ruidi Huang

Ruidi Huang

Associate Professor
Corrigan Research Professorship
Robert Lawson

Robert Lawson

Clinical Professor
Jerome M. Fullinwider Centennial Chair in Economic Freedom
Director,…

Sohail Hamirani

Adjunct Professor
Susan Riffe

Susan Riffe

Clinical Professor
John Semple

John Semple

Professor
Eugene J. and Ruth F. Constantin, Jr. Distinguished Chair in Business
Don Shelly

Don Shelly

Professor of Practice

Zhen Zhang

Professor
O. Paul Corley Distinguished Chair in Organizational Behavior and Administration
Alex Zhou

Alex Zhou

Professor
James M. Collins Chair

Facilities

Students in the two-year, full-time MBA program at Cox can collaborate with the Career Management Center.

Career Management Center

The pioneering Cox Career Management Center is your go-to for everything from personalized career strategy and coaching to personal branding, job search and innovative mentoring programs. From the moment you enroll, the CMC is ready to help you accelerate or transition your career.

The Business Leadership Center at SMU Cox helps top online MBA students learn to lead.

Business Leadership Center

The Edwin L. Cox Business Leadership Center enhances classroom experiences by developing MBA students’ leadership skills through seminars, executive speaker series, experiential learning programs and coaching.

Frequently asked questions

Eligible candidates for the SMU Cox Full-Time MBA are driven professionals with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and three years of work experience (most have five years). Applicants are evaluated holistically for leadership, academic strength and career focus. International applicants must also meet English proficiency requirements.

In the SMU Cox Full-Time MBA, you will build a foundation in core business disciplines—finance, marketing, strategy and analytics—while developing the leadership and communication skills to drive impact in any organization. The curriculum blends classroom learning with hands-on experiences like consulting projects, global immersion and professional development through the Business Leadership Center. You'll also tailor your path through concentrations and electives that align with your goals.

The Full-Time Two-Year MBA at Cox spans 21 months and requires 71 credit hours. In year one, students complete 20–22 credits in the fall, 16–20 in the spring and an internship in the summer. The second year includes 14–16 credits each semester as students pursue electives and specialized coursework.

For those who want to earn their MBA in less time, the Full-Time One-Year MBA offers a 12-month, 52-credit-hour format divided into three terms, each split into two eight-week modules.



The Two-Year MBA at SMU Cox offers the most immersive experience—ideal for career changers or those seeking time to deepen expertise, build leadership skills, and complete a summer internship. The One-Year MBA is an accelerated, 12-month program designed for professionals with a strong business foundation who want to advance quickly.

Meanwhile, the part-time Professional MBA allows working professionals to earn their degree while continuing their careers, with evening and weekend classes in Dallas.

Applicants to the SMU Cox Full-Time Two-Year MBA program are reviewed holistically, inclusive of their academic records, leadership potential and professional experiences. The 2026 class profile reflected a 3.56 undergraduate GPA and a 712 GMAT score. While the program is test optional, submitting a GMAT or GRE can strengthen you application by demonstrating quantitative readiness.

Yes, it is a proven investment in career growth and long-term earning potential. Cohorts are intentionally kept small to foster close faculty interaction and meaningful peer connections—recent classes average 80–90 students, with 77 graduates in 2026. According to Class of 2025 Employment Report, graduates reported a median base salary of $126,000 and an average signing bonus of $25,000, reflecting the program’s strong employer relationships and outcomes.


The Full-Time Two-Year MBA at SMU Cox costs $51,337 in tuition plus $11,100 in university and program fees per year (for the 2026–27 cycle), totaling approximately $63,067 annually (SMU Cox Admissions).

All applicants to the Full-Time Two-Year MBA at SMU Cox are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships during the admissions review—no separate application is required. Top candidates may receive full-tuition awards through the Cox Distinguished MBA Scholars program, and additional opportunities like Forté Fellowships and ROMBA Fellowships support women, LGBTQ+ students and allies. Federal and private loans are also available for qualified applicants through SMU’s Office of Financial Aid.

Graduates of the Full-Time Two-Year MBA at SMU Cox regularly achieve leadership roles across a variety of industries. The Class of 2025 reported roles in consulting (32%), financial services (29%), technology (26%) and real estate (12%), with others entering fields like consumer goods, healthcare and logistics. Top employers include Amazon, AT&T, Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs, Infosys, PepsiCo and McKesson, reflecting Cox’s strong corporate partnerships and Dallas location advantage.


Graduates of the Full-Time Two-Year MBA Class of 2025 report an average base salary of $126,000 and an average signing bonus of $25,000 within three months of graduation.

Full-Time MBA students at SMU Cox build meaningful professional connections throughout their MBA experience. Students have access to a 42,000-plus-member alumni network, more than 500 corporate partners and more than 20 graduate student organizations that provide opportunities for mentorship, industry engagement and career exploration.

Networking extends beyond the classroom through guest speakers, employer events, leadership programs and experiential learning opportunities across the Dallas business community. These experiences help students expand their professional networks, gain industry insights and build relationships that support their careers long after graduation.

Related programs