Taking Classes Outside of JGSB

Second-year MBA students may take Rice University courses (outside of JGSB) if the student has met prerequisites, obtains instructor/ department permission, and there is available capacity in the course.

MBA students should recognize that JGSB operates on a slightly different calendar than the rest of the university. Consequently, classes may be offered at different dates/days/times. It is the student’s responsibility to find out the duration and times of these courses. Students should keep this in mind when scheduling classes.

Note that outside courses won't count towards your earned MBA hours. (Certain exceptions may be approved via the petition process outlined further below)

Instructions for taking a course outside of Rice Business

  • Check https://courses.rice.edu for any restrictions on the course and to confirm that there are seats available. Some examples of restrictions include program, level, prerequisite, and corequisite.
  • Complete the Special Registration Form with course details and requested override(s).
  • Send the completed form to the professor, inquiring if they will permit you to take the course without the required restrictions. They will need to return the signed form to you if they approve those overrides.
  • Send the signed form to mbaadvising@rice.edu for an advisor’s signature. The advising team will send the form back to you.
    • The advising team will not sign a form that has not already been signed by the professor.
  • Submit the form to the University’s Office of the Registrar, following the instructions listed on the form.
    • The Office of the Registrar will not process a form that has not been signed by both the professor and an advisor.
    • The JGSB Registration and Student Records team is not able to process this registration for you.
  • Per the instructions on the form, the Office of the Registrar will notify you when an override has been authorized in the system, and you must register yourself directly in ESTHER.
 

Petitioning for an outside course to apply to elective requirements

If a student feels strongly that the outside course is applicable to their MBA, they may petition for it to count as an MBA elective. For a petition to be considered:
  • Ensure that course is 500 level or above. (Only graduate level courses are considered)
  • Complete the application by Jan. 15th, 2026, secure a copy of the course syllabus for approval purposes, and send these materials to Kisa Parker, Director of Student Success and Academic Advising.