How do I find an MBA that fits my schedule?
Prospective MBA students have many questions to consider when determining the best MBA for working professionals – Where can I get in? How do I pay for it? Chief among students concerns, however, is often finding a flexible, part-time MBA that fits your schedule.
The three of the most shared considerations that students have when searching for an MBA program are flexibility, location, and time. With the many program options that are available, the flexible MBA program that meet a student’s particular need will ultimately determine success.
Professionals looking for a part-time MBA often point to flexibility as their main factor when considering programs. Flexible MBA programs offer choices ranging from evening or weekend courses, to online or hybrid course options. Part time MBA programs that are self-paced can help working professionals take classes during the days and times that work best for them. These programs allow you to manage your particular course sequence and load with a personalized schedule.
“Many working professionals pursue an MBA to help their careers flourish, but they key is to be able to take program classes and maintain a high level of performance at work,” says Andrew Lolley, current MBA student and National Sales Manager at Active Minerals. “They need to see that a MBA is worth the extra time and effort while still balancing a demanding job and pursuing an aggressive career path. Having flexibility built into a program with through campus locations, evening start times, delivery methods for travel, and timing are beneficial to working students to help meet the program and career goals.”
Having these choices in location and schedule are factors for prospective students to contemplate. Loyola University Maryland’s Sellinger School of Business offers graduate business degree programs at our two graduate campuses in Timonium and Columbia, MD, and at our main campus in Baltimore, MD. Weeknight evening, hybrid, and some online classes are offered in the part-time Professional's MBA. The Sellinger School also offers the Emerging Leaders MBA, a full-time one year MBA program, as well as a Master of Accounting degree, a full-time, 10 month program for students seek the 150 hours required for CPA licensure.
Of course, there are other considerations beyond flexibility and scheduling. MBA programs are excellent places to network. An MBA for professionals connects students with peers from a variety or academic and industry backgrounds. Culture also matters. In an April 2015 article from Poets & Quants, MBA consultant Adam Markus says, “A well informed customer compares options, asks questions to sales people, finds out what current and previous customers think, and checks out the product or service in person.” If you can, learn more about these aspects of a program by registering for an upcoming information or test drive. We also welcome you to contact the Office of Graduate Business Programs for more information.