How Long Does It Take to Get an MBA Degree?
If you’re ready to advance your education (and your career), a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a practical option for many working professionals. Not only can an MBA open doors to higher earning potential and more career opportunities, but it can also help you increase your own marketability as you develop leadership skills and other strengths.
So, how long does it take to get an MBA? The good news is that most MBA programs are designed to be completed in two years or less — but numerous factors can affect how long you’ll be in school. With a better understanding of the aspects that influence the time spent on the path to an MBA, you can determine which program option may be right for you.
MBA Program Options
One of the biggest considerations that can affect how long it will take you to complete an MBA program is whether you enroll part time, full time, or even in an accelerated or executive program. Read on to learn more about enrollment options in online MBA programs.
Part Time
A part-time MBA is designed for students who may be working full-time jobs and need a little more flexibility and versatility with their schedules. With fewer credit hours per semester, a part-time MBA degree program takes longer to complete (usually around two to three years, depending on the number of credits taken per semester). However, this type of program can be ideal for working professionals and those with other life obligations, like children or a family.
For instance, a Part-Time MBA at Boston University (BU) is available in both online and on-campus formats.
Full Time
Meanwhile, if you’re looking to complete your degree more quickly and don’t mind leaving the workforce, then a full-time MBA program may be a better option. Typically, full-time students in a graduate-level program take at least 12 credit hours (or four standard classes) per semester. This can be a heavy workload — especially for those who may also be working part-time — but it can be an efficient way to complete a conventional MBA program and start making a difference in the field.
At BU, our Full-Time MBA is offered with numerous customized learning tracks, including options in the health sector, management science, social impact, and more.
Accelerated Programs
Some schools may also offer accelerated MBA programs, which can sometimes be completed in as little as one year. These programs are highly intensive, requiring a significant focus and time management to juggle the workload. However, for those who are serious about getting their MBAs in the shortest amount of time possible, an accelerated MBA can help them do just that.
Executive Programs
Similar to an accelerated program, an Executive MBA (EMBA) is specifically designed for working professionals who already have a great deal of experience in the business realm, including mid- to senior-level executives. These programs tend to focus more on leadership and strategy with less of an emphasis on basic business concepts, allowing students to complete their studies faster than they would in a “traditional” MBA.
Because many people taking EMBA programs are working professionals, classes are often offered on evenings and weekends.
Online
A final enrollment option to consider is an online MBA program. Enrolling in an online program can be a practical option for many busy professionals due to the inherently flexible and convenient nature of online coursework. Plus, when you take your MBA online, it doesn’t matter how close or far you live from campus because you don’t have to worry about a commute.
Specifically, enrolling in BU’s Online MBA program allows you to complete your degree in as little as 24 months with a curriculum that’s been designed explicitly for global online learners.
Factors That Impact MBA Timeline
Now that you have a better idea of the types of MBA programs that are out there, you may be wondering what factors will most affect how long it takes you to complete your MBA. Below are several core determinants, ranging from program type to specializations and more.
Program Type
MBA programs can vary greatly in the number of credit hours required based on the specific type of program. A traditional part- or full-time MBA, for example, usually consists of around 60 credit hours. This means that a student will take anywhere from two to three years to complete this type of program, with part-time enrollment equating to a longer timeline to completion. Accelerated programs can be as short as one year in duration, while EMBAs tend to take up to two years.
Enrollment Status
In addition to the type of program you enroll in and the number of credit hours required to graduate, your enrollment status will play a pivotal part in how long it takes you to complete the program.
Typically, graduate students are either enrolled part or full time, with full time considered 12 credit hours and above each semester and part-time constituting anything under that amount. (However, these specific numbers may vary by institution.) As you can probably imagine, a part-time student will take longer to complete an MBA program than a full-time student. To compare the two, full-time MBA students are typically done in around two years, as opposed to three or more years for part-time students.
Dual Degrees or Other Specializations
Additionally, many MBA programs are offered with specialization areas, which allow you to focus your studies in a certain niche or industry. Choosing a specialization typically does not add any time to your degree, but a program that offers a dual degree could — so this is something to keep in mind as you plan your studies moving forward.
Are Online MBA Programs Faster?
Prospective MBA students may wonder whether enrolling in an online MBA program will help them earn their degrees faster than an on-campus program. How long does it take to get an MBA online versus in person or full time, then? It depends.
With an online program, some students may find that they’re able to take more credit hours within a shorter period of time because the courses are more flexible and fit better into their schedules. Oftentimes, too, online MBAs comprise fewer credit hour requirements than their counterparts. Plus, with no time spent commuting to and from campus, this can free up valuable time that could make it possible to take on a larger course load and complete your degree a bit sooner.
With this said, the increasingly popular online MBA program may take a comparable amount of time as an in-person program — but it does present opportunities to accelerate the process, thanks to its flexibility.
Tips for Choosing the Best MBA Time Frame for You
Ultimately, while you may want to complete your MBA as soon as possible, it’s ideal not to rush through your program. To really get the most out of your experience, you’ll need to find the program type and enrollment status that works best for your unique life circumstances. For some, that may be full-time enrollment. But for others trying to juggle other responsibilities, a part-time degree program may be the more practical option.
When deciding on an MBA time frame, first clearly define your career objectives: Are you striving for rapid career advancement, to deepen your skill set in the context of your current position, or to make a career change? On that same note, those with considerable work experience under their belts might be better suited for accelerated programs than those without the same level of expertise. Consider, too, your financial situation and the potential cost savings that accompany shorter or online programs. Lastly, be sure to think about your current professional demands along with any other personal responsibilities (such as your family) that you will need to prioritize along with your studies.
From here, you can determine which type of program is best for you without adding any unnecessary stress to your already busy life.
Advance Your Career With Boston University
As outlined above, a variety of factors can affect how long it will take for you to complete your MBA. In general, you can expect most programs to take anywhere from one to three years to complete — but much will depend on your enrollment status and the type of program you select (traditional versus accelerated, for example).
Regardless of how long it takes you, at the end of the day, an MBA can set you up with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to make a difference as a business leader. At Boston University, we’re proud to offer a number of MBA options to accommodate your schedule, including our Part-Time, Full-Time MBA, and Online MBA.
Ready to learn more? Get in touch to request information about any of our MBA options today. You can also take the next step by completing your online application for enrollment or attending an informational event.
