Program Overview
This partnership between McCombs and two UT System medical schools offers a streamlined path to both degrees through our Weekend MBA at Houston program, part of McCombs’ nationally ranked Working Professional MBA portfolio (#6 Part-Time MBA, U.S. News & World Report). After completing your third year of medical school, you’ll spend a year earning your MBA through weekend classes at our Houston CityCentre location — classes meet every other weekend during the fall, spring, and summer, Fridays from 4:00–8:00 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 am–5:00 pm. Then you’ll return to finish your final year of medical school.
The timeline:
- Years 1-3: Medical School
- Year 4: MBA Coursework
- Year 5: Final year of Medical School
This structure saves you a full year compared with pursuing both degrees separately, and the weekend format gives you weekday flexibility to prepare for board exams, conduct research, or gain additional clinical experience.
Why this matters for your career
Healthcare is changing. Physicians increasingly need to understand finance, operations, strategy, and leadership to navigate complex health systems, launch innovations, or build their own practices. And even if private practice isn’t your goal, most physicians work as employees — which means understanding contracts, practice financials, and compensation structures is just as critical. With private equity playing a growing role in healthcare, that business fluency matters more than ever.
This dual degree positions you at the intersection of patient care and business decision-making.
The MBA year also gives you a strategic advantage in residency matching. While your peers are managing a full medical school course load, you’ll have dedicated time to strengthen your application through research, board exam preparation, and leadership development, all while earning a valuable business credential.
In five years, you’ll gain two life-changing degrees: the clinical expertise to practice medicine and the business skills to lead healthcare organizations, manage your own practice, or shape the future of the healthcare industry.
Program Highlights
Top- Ranked Business Education
McCombs’ Part-Time MBA ranks #6 nationally, and #1 in Texas, giving you access to world-class faculty, resources, and alumni networks.
Houston’s Business District
Study at our new
CityCentre campus in Houston’s Memorial City district, connecting you to the broader business community beyond the medical center.
Built for Medical Students
Weekend classes work around your training schedule. Application fees and standardized test requirements (GMAT/GRE) are waived.
Proven Partnership Model
We’ve successfully run a dual degree program with Dell Medical School for years, with 10-12 students annually.
Real-World Learning
Study alongside experienced business professionals from various industries, expanding your network and perspective.
Healthcare Curriculum Options
Access electives in healthcare business, AI strategy in healthcare, and health entrepreneurship to deepen your expertise at the intersection of medicine and business.
Global Experience
Choose between an international global studies trip or The Washington Campus experience.
admissions
Who should apply
This program is designed for medical students who want to:
- Strengthen their profile for competitive residency programs through formal business training
- Make informed decisions about employment, practice ownership, and the business models reshaping medicine
- Advance into leadership roles within healthcare organizations or health systems
- Explore opportunities in pharma, biotech, healthcare technology, or consulting
- Confidently manage their own medical practice
- Shape healthcare policy or innovation
Admissions Requirements
- Dual degree candidates must be admitted and enrolled at McGovern Medical School or UTMB Sealy
School of Medicine - Application fee waived for MD/MBA applicants
- GMAT/GRE requirement waived for MD/MBA applicants with successfully completed test waiver petition
- All other McCombs admissions standards apply
- Separate applications are required for medical school and the MBA program
- Dual degree candidates will have successfully completed three years of medical school before starting the MBA
program
MD/MBA Application Process
You may apply to the MBA program after you have been admitted to and enrolled at McGovern or UTMB, during your first, second, or third year of medical school. We encourage prospective MD/MBA dual‑degree candidates to engage with our partner medical schools and Texas McCombs as they explore this option.
Please note that students must be admitted to and successfully complete three years at McGovern or UTMB before beginning MBA coursework. Texas McCombs will always wait until the medical school admission decision is finalized and enrollment is confirmed before making an MBA admissions decision.
Applicants go through McCombs’ standard admissions process, which includes:
- Completed and approved test waiver petition
- MBA application with official transcripts
- Resume
- Essays
- Letter of recommendation
- Video assessment
- Interview
Check out our MBA Application Guide for tips on submitting your best application.
MBA Application Deadlines
Round 1
Application Due:
October 15, 2025
Decision Delivered:
December 16, 2025
Round 2
Application Due:
January 15, 2026
Decision Delivered:
March 26, 2026
Round 3
Application Due:
April 1, 2026
Decision Delivered:
May 14, 2026
Round 4
Application Due:
May 28, 2026
Decision Delivered:
July 15, 2026
Note: You must be enrolled to McGovern Medical School or UTMB Sealy School of Medicine
before being admitted to the MBA program.
Curriculum
The MBA portion of the program consists of 44 credit hours total:
- 30 credit hours of MBA coursework completed through weekend classes and summer sessions
- 14 credit hours of crossover courses from your medical school curriculum that count toward both degrees
You’ll take core business courses alongside other Houston MBA students, giving you exposure to professionals from various industries while focusing on healthcare applications.
Year 4: Fall Semester (10 credit hours)
First-semester residency hotel lodging at the Hotel Zaza in Memorial City with MBA classmates on Friday evenings.
| Course | Credit Hours |
| Leading for Impact | 1 |
| Financial Accounting | 2 |
| Statistics | 2 |
| Financial Management | 2 |
| Business Integrity | 2 |
Year 4: Spring Semester (12 credit hours)
| Course | Credit Hours |
| Leading for Impact Capstone | 1 |
| Business Analytics | 2 |
| Valuation | 2 |
| Leading People & Organizations | 3 |
| Marketing Management | 2 |
| Directed Studies in Management (Global Studies or The Washington Campus) |
2 |
Year 4: Summer Semester (8 credit hours)
Choose between a one-week international global studies trip or The Washington Campus experience.
| Course | Credit Hours |
| Operations Management | 2 |
| Managerial Microeconomics | 2 |
| Business of Healthcare | 2 |
| AI Strategy in Healthcare | 2 |
Additional Details
- No medical school coursework is taken during the MBA year; though students may pursue research, service work, or part-time opportunities
- Accounting bootcamp recommended but not required
- Program uses existing McCombs facilities and faculty
- Healthcare-focused electives are available
beyond the classroom
Global Studies Trip
The Washington Campus
Tuition & financial aid
Program Costs
(entering August 2026)
This information reflects program cost information for the MBA at Houston class entering in August 2026.
| Semester | Cost |
| Fall | $26,333 |
| Spring | $26,333 |
| Summer | $26,334 |
| Total | $79,000 |
The MBA portion follows standard McCombs Part-Time MBA tuition rates. Medical school tuition continues according to your home institution’s fee structure. For students beginning the program in future years, tuition is expected to increase by approximately 3-5%.
Financing Your MBA
- Federal financial aid available
- McCombs scholarships (limited availability based on merit)
- Employer Sponsorship programs
- Private student loans
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
What to Expect During Your MBA Year
Your fourth year will look different from a traditional medical student’s schedule. Weekend MBA classes leave your weekdays open for:
- Board exam preparation: Study for Step 2 CK/CS without competing with course demands
- Research: Work on projects with medical faculty to strengthen your residency application
- Clinical experience: Gain additional rotations or specialized exposure
- Leadership development: Take on roles that distinguish your candidacy
- Professional networking: Build relationships across healthcare and business sectors
Beyond the Classroom
As a McCombs student, you’ll have access to:
- Healthcare entrepreneurship resources and pitch competitions
- Student organizations focused on healthcare and innovation
- Networking events connecting medical and business communities
- Alumni network of 100,000+ McCombs graduates
- Career services and executive coaching
- Residency hotel lodging for the first semester of the MBA year
1ST SEMESTER RESIDENCY
Frequently asked questions
When do I apply for the MBA program?
You may apply to the MBA program after you have been admitted to and enrolled at McGovern or UTMB, during your first, second, or third year of medical school. We encourage prospective MD/MBA dual‑degree candidates to engage with our partner medical schools and Texas McCombs as they explore this option.
Please note that students must be admitted to and successfully complete three years at McGovern or UTMB before beginning MBA coursework. Texas McCombs will always wait until the medical school admission decision is finalized and enrollment is confirmed before making an MBA admissions decision.
Do I need to take the GMAT or GRE?
No. Standardized test requirements are waived for MD/MBA applicants once they have successfully completed our test waiver petition form.
Will I be in classes with other medical students?
You’ll take classes with the Weekend MBA at Houston cohort, which includes working professionals from various industries. This breadth enriches your learning and expands your professional network.
Can I still match to competitive residencies if I take a year for the MBA?
Yes. Many medical students use their fourth year strategically to strengthen residency applications. The Weekend MBA format gives you more flexibility during the week for research, board prep, and other activities that residency directors value.
Where will classes be held?
MBA classes are held at McCombs’ new CityCentre campus, located in Houston’s Memorial City district.
Will this delay my residency application?
Yes, by one year. You’ll graduate from medical school in year five instead of year four. However, you’re not losing time–you’re using that year strategically to earn an MBA while also strengthening your residency application through research, board exam preparation, and leadership development. Many students find that this additional year gives them a competitive edge in matching to their preferred residency programs.
Can I do clinical work during my MBA year?
While there’s no required medical school coursework during the MBA year, many students choose to stay engaged through research, part-time clinical work, or volunteer activities. The Weekend MBA schedule makes this possible.
How does this compare to the Dell Medical School partnership?
Both programs are run by McCombs, but the Dell partnership uses the Full-Time MBA format in Austin. The Houston program uses the weekend format, allowing you to remain in Houston and stay connected to the medical community while earning your degree.
Ready to make your move?
Start your application today. Classes begin August 2026.
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