Attending an MBA program is an involved decision that isn’t made lightly. For many, a full-time program comes with the cost of missed work, salary and benefits for two years at a time when that sacrifice is hard to swallow. Thankfully, most schools also offer a part-time MBA program that’s perfectly designed for working professionals.
Part-time MBA programs focus on flexibility and experience. Classes typically take place online, in the evenings, or over the weekend, so that as little work as possible is missed. It’s a great option for professionals who can’t or don’t want to give up their career but still want to enhance their skills.
So, where should you go to school in Boston if you want to attend a part-time MBA program? There are quite a few options.
Carroll School of Management – Boston College
The part-time MBA program at the Carroll School of Management is perfect for working professionals. The same professors that teach in the full-time program teach the part-time courses except with flexible scheduling. Part-time students can take courses on-campus at either 4:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. during the weekdays and on Saturdays. Plus, select classes are offered online for even more flexibility.
Even better, every part-time MBA student receives consideration for advanced standing credit for tuition assistance. Eligible students can qualify for a waiver of up to five MBA courses (a maximum of 15 credits) for a total tuition savings of up to $24,180. Most part-time students complete the program in 3-to-4 years.
D’Amore-McKim School of Business – Northeastern University
At D’Amore-McKim, the part-time MBA program is made for students who want to complete their degree on their own schedule. It’s designed to meet the needs of working professionals who can’t afford to take time off work. Students can complete the program in as little as two years or as long as seven and they can start the program in either September or January. Students can also take as little as one class just one night a week or, if time permits, they can take multiple classes either online or on-campus on Saturday.
Just like in the full-time program, students in D’Amore-McKim’s part-time program can focus their curriculum on a variety of concentrations including Corporate Finance, Corporate Renewal, Entrepreneurship, Healthcare Management and more. It’s an ideal program for individuals seeking to build on their business and leadership skills while working full-time.
F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business – Babson College
At the Olin Graduate School of Business, students have the option of attending the Babson Evening MBA program. This program was designed for the ultimate in flexibility. Classes start in May, September or January and are held at both the Wellesley and Boston campuses. Even better, the curriculum was created to fit your pace. Evening MBAs can earn their degree in as little as three years, and all courses are held on weekday evenings from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
As for the class profile of the typical Evening MBA, it’s focused on work experience. The average part-time MBA candidate has 7.5 years of work experience with an average GPA of 3.19 and GMAT of 584.
Questrom School of Business – Boston University
At Questrom, their Professional Evening MBA program is highly ranked and extremely flexible. It was tailor-made for working professionals who aren’t willing to give up their career for an MBA. And if you’re worried about the coursework and faculty, Full-time faculty teach 80 percent of the evening classes. Plus, PEMBAs can choose between over 100 electives and ten areas of concentration.
As for how to program works, Part-Time students have two options.
- Cohort August: The August Cohort allows you to stay with a small group of students to build relationships throughout the first year, and then, after that, students can set their own pace.
- Flex Track August or January: If keeping a schedule for the first year doesn’t appeal to you, the Flex Track option allows MBAs to speed up or slow down the pace of the program at will. Flex Track lets MBAs cater their class schedule to their busy life, not the other way around.
Sawyer Business School – Suffolk University
At the Sawyer Business School, students can choose to earn their MBA part-time or full-time. Basically, the program is designed to allow students to take classes anytime of the year. Typically, MBAs graduate in 3-5 years, but it’s up to each student. Courses are offered in the evenings between 6-8:45 p.m. and on Saturdays. And during the Summer, MBAs can increase their class schedule to two nights a week (Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday) for seven weeks. Plus, for greater flexibility, courses are offered at the North Campus, in Boston, or online.