Part-Time MBA Program Guide

MBA programs focus on developing students’ business acumen, negotiation skills, and leadership abilities. MBA graduates can pursue advanced careers or create their own company. Part-time MBA programs allow students to study at a slower pace, which may be ideal for enrollees who work full time.

Corporations in almost every industry utilize MBA-holders, so these degrees are versatile. Graduates can pursue roles in growing fields, including artificial intelligence, energy, and the automotive industry.

If you’re curious about part-time MBA programs, you can learn about common admission requirements, courses, and career paths.

MBAs can help students develop their leadership and entrepreneurial skills while expanding their knowledge of business. Accredited U.S. schools offer multiple options for MBA degrees, including full-time and part-time programs, online and on-campus degrees, and general or specialized curricula.

Online enrollees can save money on their degree by avoiding costs like relocation and commuting. Learners can usually continue working while pursuing an online part-time MBA, which means they do not suffer a significant loss of income.

MBA programs develop enrollees’ business, problem-solving, and communication skills to prepare them for business leadership careers. Each school offers its own curricular concentrations and goals. Part-time students can take 1-2 classes per semester so they can complete their degree at a slower pace. However, many schools maintain a maximum time limit of six years to graduate.

MBA programs usually require 30-60 credits. Depending on how much a school charges for tuition, degrees can cost between $15,000-$145,000 in tuition alone. Often, schools also charge additional fees beyond tuition.

Each school has different application requirements, including materials such as:

While many schools do not maintain official GPA or standardized test score minimums, they can provide average scores from admitted applicants. Prospective enrollees can utilize this data to compare themselves to the average program enrollee.

MBA program course requirements typically include core, elective, and capstone courses. Though each degree offers its own classes, enrollees may encounter courses like the following:

All MBA programs require students to complete a minimum number of credits. However, business schools may also maintain GPA, internship, or capstone requirements. For example, programs may require graduates to achieve a 3.0 GPA. Degrees may also include a mandatory internship where learners can accrue experience in the field.

Capstone projects ask enrollees to create a theoretical company and develop its business plan or apply their skills to a real-world scenario. For real-world capstones, students work with corporations to identify, analyze, and solve business problems.

Tuition for the best part-time online MBA programs can range from $15,000 to $150,000. MBAs can offer a positive return on investment because of increased earning potential: According to 2024 data from GMAC, MBA graduates’ starting salaries are, on average, 1.75 times higher than workers with only bachelor’s degrees.

Financial aid can help reduce the burden of tuition. The following list explains common financial aid options.

In addition to scholarships like those listed below, MBA students can explore funding opportunities from their employers, government agencies, professional organizations, and nonprofit groups with ties to the business field.

MBA graduates earn an average base salary of $98,000 annually, according to Payscale data from July 2024. Wages vary based on position: For example, market research analysts’ median salary was $74,680 in 2023, while financial analysts earned a median wage of $99,980 that year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Salary also varies according to factors like industry, location, and employer. For example, project managers in New Jersey earned an average wage of $136,990 in 2023, while the same position in Montana earned an average wage of $82,190, according to the BLS.

MBAs offer various curriculums and concentrations, so the best online MBA is the one that will help support your future career path. You should analyze your interests, identify prospective careers, and determine which skills are necessary for those roles. You can then find the programs that cater to professionals in these subfields.

Your needs will determine whether a part-time or full-time MBA is better. Full-time students can graduate more quickly than part-time students. However, part-time students can continue working their full-time jobs as they complete their degree.

Attendees should consider multiple factors when choosing an online MBA program, including cost, curriculum, and average class size. Determine your career goals, figure out which degrees best align with those intentions, and then apply to those programs.

Yes, online MBAs provide the same education and degrees as in-person programs. Most schools do not denote whether students enrolled online. To ensure their degree is credible, online learners should attend a school with institutional accreditation.

An online MBA can take 1-6 years. Full-time students typically complete an MBA in 1-2 years, while part-time students often take 2-3 years. Schools may maintain a maximum time limit of six years of enrollment.