Part-Time MBA Programs

Designed for working professionals, part-time MBA programs allow students to work full-time during the day and attend classes in the evening.

Courses are scheduled year-round and do not allow for internships. Some part-time programs offer the same ability to specialize (through concentrations and open electives) as full-time programs, but others offer a limited number of concentrations.

In addition, some part-time programs require fewer courses than their full-time counterparts. The curriculum of these programs focuses on core knowledge without options for specialization. Other part-time programs require the same number of courses as a full-time program. You might take one to two courses each semester over four or five years to receive a degree requiring 20 courses.

• Part-time programs are popular among career enhancers—those who have experience and want to further their career in a chosen field). They are also good if you already have a network in your field to help you change jobs.
• Classes are scheduled outside standard business hours.
• Students develop work-related skills without interrupting current employment.
• Students can bring current problems into the classroom and explore workable solutions they can apply to their jobs.

• Loans are available for eligible students.
• A part-time program may be a good choice if your employer offers tuition reimbursement.
• Cost is extended over a longer period of time, a plus for those who must continue to earn an income, or who are unwilling or unable to take on more debt.
• Part-time programs may offer some geographic flexibility if you are unable or unwilling to relocate. A two-hour commute might be palatable for one class a week, but not daily.

• Scholarship money may not be available.
• Career services may be limited, as many placement offices are closed in the evenings when part-time students are on campus. This issue can be of particular concern for people who wish to change careers when they receive their degree.
• Distance learning coursework may not be possible or may be limited. If you travel or relocate frequently for work, you may have difficulty completing a part-time MBA degree. Some programs do allow students to fulfill some course work through distance learning, but you should check on that option with the programs you are considering.
• Credits from part-time programs are most likely not transferrable to full-time or other kinds of programs. Do not assume that you can take some MBA courses part-time, and then transfer to a full-time or other kind of program.