How Long Does it Take to Get an MBA?

How Long Does it Take to Get an MBA?

It takes between 1 and 2 years to complete an MBA.

An MBA is a master’s degree in business that prepares students for leadership and managerial positions across all industries and fields of business. It is an increasingly popular graduate school program as applicants look to level up their careers and gain better skills and experience.

In recent years, the traditional 2-year MBA programs have ceded popularity to the “accelerated” MBA, programs which are typically 12 to 18 months long. Online MBA programs have also been sprouting up with more regularity as applicants look for more flexible education options and how to get an MBA completed faster.

Although the majority of MBA programs out there are still the traditional 2-year sprint, there are many different types of MBA programs available, each with their own pros and cons and unique schedules. How to choose the right MBA program can be tricky, so we’ll go over each type next.

Full-time MBA

The full-time MBA is the traditional, 2-year program option, though some programs offer the “accelerated” version, which is completed in 1 year. Full-time MBA students typically do not work while pursuing their studies, but they will complete an MBA internship during their program.

The time it takes to complete the full-time MBA depends on whether you choose the 2-year, full academic calendar program or the faster 1-year version, which means you’ll be completing the same amount of work, just in less time.

Pros

• Comprehensive business education
• Plenty of opportunities for networking and professional development
• More options for specialization
• Can complete your degree in 1 year instead of 2

Cons

• More costly
• Bigger time commitment
• Accelerated program can cause burnout

Top Full-time MBA Programs

Almost every business school offers the traditional 2-year MBA track, but each one may have its own unique curriculum and experience. Check out the best MBA programs in the US and the best MBA programs in Canada to see which one might be right for you. These are some examples of the best MBA programs in the world:

• Stanford Graduate School of Business
• London Business School
• Harvard Business School
• Wharton School of Business
• INSEAD

Part-time MBA

The part-time MBA is another choice that is becoming more popular. MBAs accept a huge variety of applicants, from the recent grads to mature applicants looking to go back to school. A part-time MBA is an excellent choice for someone who wants to return to school without putting their career on hold. Part-time MBAs offer evening and weekend classes so you can earn your degree without quitting your job. Part-time MBAs are around 3 years long.

Pros

• Allows you to continue working while going to school
• Flexible course options
• Can be either online or in-person

Cons

• Adds time to your degree
• Not the best choice for recent grads who lack experience

Best Part-time MBA Programs

Here are some of the best part-time MBA programs available:

• Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago
• Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley
• Kellogg Business School
• Stern School of Business
• University of California, Los Angeles

Online or Hybrid MBA

Online or hybrid MBAs are increasing in number, and many of them are fully accredited, same as the traditional MBA. So, it is entirely possible to get your MBA completely online. There are also hybrid programs if you prefer learning in the classroom, too. Online MBAs are great options for students who want some flexibility in their schedule but want to cut down on the time it takes to get their degree. Online MBAs are usually 12-18 months long.

Pros

• Flexible schedule, learn at your own pace
• Hybrid learning options
• Less costly than traditional MBA

Cons

• Fewer programs available
• Not many choices for specialized MBA

Best Online MBA Programs

Here are some of the best online MBA programs to choose from:

• Indiana University – Bloomington
• University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
• University of Southern California
• University of Florida
• Carnegie Mellon University

Executive MBA

The executive MBA is designed specifically for professionals with more substantial work experience. This program helps prepare you to take on executive level roles in business, such as C-suite and director positions. If you’re not sure what to pick between executive MBA vs. MBA, it may come down to your work experience and qualifications, or the time you have to commit to your studies. Executive MBAs are usually 2 years, with not many options for acceleration. In Canada, executive MBAs can be between 1 year and 18 months.

Pros

• Ideal for applicants with substantial work experience
• Flexible learning on evenings and weekends

Cons

• Programs are typically 2 years
• Limited electives

Global MBA

If your goal is to enter the international business world, or get a position in a multinational company, a global MBA is your best bet. This type of MBA is ideal for students who crave international experience and opportunities. The downside is they are mainly 2-year programs, so not the fastest MBAs.

Pros

• Experience business on the global level
• Opportunities for international networking and work placements

Cons

• Usually not able to work and study
• Usually a 2-year program

Dual-Degree MBA

Dual degree MBAs, such as an MBA law degree or 4+1 program, where you earn both your bachelor’s and your master’s at once, are a good idea if you’re an undergraduate student who already knows they want to pursue an MBA or you want to specialize in a certain area of business. These programs usually take 2-3 years, or even 5 years if you complete a 4+1 bachelor and master’s combo.

Pros

• Possibility to earn your bachelor’s and your MBA at once
• Specialize and streamline your business education

Cons

• Take 2+ years to complete
• Narrows your MBA job options after you graduate to your chosen specialty

How Long Does it Take to Get an MBA?: Choosing the Right MBA Track

With so many options of MBA to choose from, how do you know you’re picking the right one for you? Well, first it’s important to think carefully and ask yourself some realistic questions about why you want to pursue an MBA and what you’re willing to compromise on for your education.

Then, it’s about doing your research and selecting the right program fit for you within the options available to you. MBA rankings and MBA acceptance rates in the US or MBA acceptance rates in Canada can be informative, but we recommend looking beyond the admissions data to the quality and content of the programs themselves. Choose the one that works for your schedule, your budget and your career aspirations. Your business education will bring you a return on investment based on what YOU put into it, not what business school name is attached to it.

Here's some questions to ask yourself when researching potential MBA programs and deciding on what type to pursue:

1. What are your career goals? What kind of position do you want to pursue?
2. Are you interested in specializing or working in a specific industry?
3. Can you balance work and studies?
4. What’s your budget? Are you eligible for financial aid or MBA scholarships?
5. Is online or in-person learning better for you?
6. How many hours can you devote to an MBA every week?
7. Are you willing or able to put your work on pause? For how long?
8. Is an MBA worth it for you right now?

Factors that Affect Your MBA Timeline

Aside from these important questions, there are other factors that can affect your MBA timeline. Because, on top of the 1-2 or even 3+ years of schooling, you need to take into account the amount of time it takes to actually prepare an MBA application.

The admissions cycle alone can take a year, so if you are serious about pursuing an MBA, factor this in.

Here are just a few extra items that can add time to your MBA schedule:

Here are our tips on creating the best MBA resume!

How to Finish Your MBA Faster

It’s possible that you want to finish your MBA as fast as possible and get straight back to work with all the benefits an MBA degree can grant you. While it is possible to get your MBA finished very quickly and level up your career that fast, enrolling in an MBA is about more than that.

Fast-tracking your MBA certainly has its pros, but you also want to get the most value out of your investment as you can. An MBA is an investment—in your future and yourself. If you rush through the program with the singular goal of getting promoted or making more money, you will be missing out on added experience. To find the right balance of speed and worth, you’ll need to commit.

Here are a few tips on how to finish your MBA faster and graduate in record time, without losing too much educational value.

1. Enroll in an online or accelerated program

The most obvious way to shorten your MBA is to enroll in a shorter program. Accelerated MBAs and online MBA programs have a condensed academic calendar, so you’re doing the same amount of coursework in a shorter period of time. Some of these programs will have a 6-8 week course calendar instead of the traditional 12-15 week schedule, for instance. This is great if you want to get finished faster but remember that with a shorter schedule you can risk study burnout.

2. Take more courses

The other simple way to get your MBA done faster is to take on a full course load and complete more courses per semester. The downside if you likely won’t have time to work while you study, so you’ll need to compensate for this with either flexible work hours or be comfortable taking time off work.

It’s also possible you can transfer credits from your bachelor’s program, professional development courses or certifications, or even your years of work experience. Check to see if any of your professional qualifications or experience can be used to satisfy some of your MBA program’s credit requirements to reduce the total number of credit hours you need to meet.

3. Plan ahead

Planning is crucial when it comes to getting your MBA! Plan ahead with your applications so you know exactly when you’re going to complete what step, when you’ll take the GMAT or GRE and when you’re going to apply and matriculate to an MBA program. A detailed application schedule will give you an overview of how long it takes to get your MBA and what steps you still need to complete. You can work with an MBA admissions consulting service if professional application help is right for you.

4. Communicate with your employer

If you plan to keep working while you earn your degree, or if you’re going to take a leave of absence from work, it’s critical to keep your current employer in the loop. Discuss with them whether you’re able to take time off while you study and return to work afterwards, or if you can work out a flexible work schedule while you’re going to school. Chances are, your employer will be willing to work with your MBA goals, especially if you’ll be bringing your new experience and knowledge back to your current workplace.

It’s also possible to apply for an MBA while unemployed, too!

5. Hold yourself accountable

Do what you say you will do, when you say it. While you’re studying to get your MBA, create a detailed schedule for yourself and keep to it. Schedule your courses, your extracurriculars, your work schedule and your personal commitments. Keeping yourself organized will reduce stress and help you avoid delays, obstacles and the prospect of retaking courses or exams.

There’s a great metaphor about the various commitments in your life being balls you need to juggle in the air. Some of the balls are glass, some are rubber and bounce right back if you drop them. The key is figuring out which of your juggling balls are glass—whether in your personal, professional or academic life—and which ones will be okay if you drop them in favor of a glass one. For example, if you decline a party invitation to study for an important exam or let someone else take over a work task to attend your brother’s wedding.

Studying for your MBA while juggling work and home commitments is all about balance, so use your judgment to determine which commitments are important and urgent and which ones will bounce back. And when you commit to doing something important, do it!

FAQs

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting 

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