A powerful career-advancing tool is an MBA degree. An MBA can assist you in achieving your goals, whether you want to look into new opportunities, apply for a promotion, or raise your salary expectations. How long does it take to earn an MBA, though? The answer is based on the degree program and your particular situation. The typical program length is two years of full-time study. For more information on completing an MBA, read this article.
How Long Does It Usually Take To Get An MBA?
A full-time MBA program typically lasts between one and two years to complete. You have a variety of programs to choose from, depending on your needs, including online, on-campus, full-time, and part-time options.
Depending on the route you take, you may need to complete your MBA in fewer years or more.
Types Of MBA Programs
Depending on the program type and the university, earning an MBA takes a different amount of time. While some MBA programs can be completed in a year, others may require several years. You typically end up with the same graduate degree regardless of the type of degree program you enroll in.
Full-time MBA
The “traditional” route to a degree is a full-time, two-year MBA program, which is sometimes referred to as such. Students are expected to be enrolled full-time, which means they live on or near campus and don’t work a full-time job while pursuing their degree. Programs typically last two years.
Part-time MBA
Classes for a part-time MBA program are scheduled outside of regular business hours and typically last three to five years to complete. Due to this, students can work full-time and go to school at the same time. In fact, they may also be referred to as evening or weekend MBA programs.
Accelerated MBA
The duration of an accelerated MBA program, also known as a one-year MBA program, is only about a year. Many accelerated MBA programs will demand either a bachelor’s degree in business or a series of prerequisite courses in order to shorten the timeframe and may rely on prior work experience to quickly move through topics.
Although many programs do require full-time enrollment, it may be possible to work while enrolled in an accelerated MBA program.
Executive MBA
An executive MBA program typically lasts two years to complete, with the majority of the classes held on weekends. It is intended for full-time professionals who are about ten years into their careers.
Global MBA
A global MBA will typically takes two years to finish on a full-time schedule, just like a regular MBA. The scope of the program differs: a global international candidate pool may be attracted by the MBA’s emphasis on global business practices.
Dual MBA
In essence, a dual degree program is a double major. Many dual MBA programs pair an MBA with a JD in law or another master or doctoral degree in technology, public policy, health care, or another field.
Being able to earn two degrees at once makes dual MBAs fast-tracked, but depending on the program, they might take longer than the typical two years for a full-time MBA program.
Factors That Affect The Length Of Your MBA Degree Program
Full-time Vs. Part-time Enrollment
When determining how many semesters credits your schedule will allow, take into account work, family, and other factors. Usually, 15 to 18 hours of homework are needed for each 3-credit course.
Nine credits per semester are typically regarded as a full-time load by graduate schools. A typical MBA program typically requires at least two years of full-time enrollment and closer to three years of part-time study to complete. Read: 10 Companies That Pay For MBA
On-campus Vs. Online MBA Programs
Students who require more structure and accountability may benefit from enrolling in courses on a college campus.
On-campus courses do not, however, provide much flexibility for working adults seeking a business degree because they meet at set times. In this area, online MBA programs excel.
Because online degrees are flexible, you can access the course materials and finish your assignments whenever it’s most convenient for you—as long as you do so within the deadlines, of course.
The online format gives you more freedom to pursue a degree and meet your professional and personal commitments because it offers more flexibility and eliminates commute times.
Standard Vs. Fast-track MBA Programs
You can obtain your MBA in as little as 12 months thanks to some universities’ one-year fast-track programs. In these programs, semesters are shortened to eight-week terms.
Others who have the time to devote find the pace to be a great option, even though it can be too demanding for some.
Postgraduate Transfer Credits
It’s possible that you can transfer a certain number of graduate-level credits to your MBA program. You could possibly shorten your program’s duration based on the number of acceptable transfer credits that are permitted.
Admissions Test
Without submitting a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score, some universities let you apply to an online MBA program. This would save you time up front even though it wouldn’t affect how long your graduate program would last.
Can You Get Your MBA In A Year
A lot of reputable accelerated MBA programs are available, and they can all be finished in a single year. In fact, as professionals seek to advance their skills without pausing their careers, one-year MBA programs are gaining popularity.
The Wall Street Journal reports that traditional two-year MBA applications have been steadily declining in recent years, even for top-tier programs, as a result of rising tuition costs and a robust job market.
According to business school accreditation company AACSB International, as a result, the number of accredited one-year programs has increased by more than 250% since 2012.
According to the most recent survey results from the nonprofit Graduate Management Admission Council, although one-year programs are still a minority—making up just 10% of all AACSB-accredited MBA programs offered in 2018—47% of prospective students that year said they had thought about the shorter degree.
Conclusions
Although earning your MBA requires dedication, the time you invest in the process will be well worth it. The secret is to find an MBA program that works with your schedule, supports your objectives, and equips you with the necessary job-ready skills to advance. Thanks to the flexibility of MBA programs, you can choose a structure and timeframe that suit you.
