An MBA is a commitment in terms of money, energy and, yes, time. The time investment is perhaps the most intimidating, with the majority of MBA programs averaging two years. But earning an MBA doesn’t necessarily need to disrupt your life. There are a variety of phenomenal Accelerated MBA programs, wherein you can receive the same education without the daunting time commitment.
San Francisco Accelerated MBA Programs
Leavey School of Business—Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business has an Accelerated MBA option that allows students to earn their degree in less than two years. Leavey’s program holds classes on Thursday nights and all day Saturdays. The program provides a cohort experience, so students move through the core program together, though they can tailor electives to their interests and professional aspirations. Student’s must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in order to receive their degree. This is an intensive, 70-credit program that will take place over seven terms. The coursework includes 11 core classes and 23 units of electives. There are nine options for concentrations, including: Business Analystics, Digital Marketing and eCommerce, Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, Financial Planning and Controllership, Finance, Business in the Global Context, Leading Innovative Organizations, Managing Customer Relationships in Business and Tech Markets and Supply Chain Management. Leavey students have access to a variety of student network events, career management seminars, career fairs, career counseling and prestigious academic awards.
F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business—Babson College
At Babson College’s F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, students can earn their MBA in just 12 months. Accelerated MBAs have access to all the same courses and learning opportunities as students in the standard full-time program. The standard full-time MBA is two year and requires 55 credits, whereas the accelerated program requires that students accrue just 40.5 credits to graduate. Students in this program complete 14 core course credits during the summer, and go on to complete 27 elective credits in the spring. Students tailor their electives to fit their career goals, and can earn a concentration in Entrepreneurship, Finance, Global Management, Business Analytics or Marketing. During the spring term, students are also expected to seize internship opportunities. Baboon also offers Signature Learning Experiences (SLE). These SLEs are unique courses and activities designed to expose students to the rewards and challenges of entrepreneurial decision-making.
Lucas Graduate School of Business—San Jose State University
San Jose State University’s Lucas School of Business provides a special accelerated MBA option for those who are new to the working world, and still determined to earn an MBA. This program may appeal to prospective students who have only recently realized their interest in furthering their business eduction, as Lucas’s program is open to students without an undergraduate degree in business.The Early Career MBA classes meet on the San Jose State University main campus during the evenings and on Saturdays. The program is structured in two month sessions (six to eight weeks per class). This track is specifically for students with zero to five years of work experience, and can be completed in 12 months. Applicants should have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher during their undergraduate educations. Students applying should have scores that are in at least the 50th percentile in both the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE. Students on this track take 11 core courses and four elective courses.