Committing to graduate school can be both exciting and daunting. Earning an MBA gives aspiring industry leaders an undeniable competitive edge, but going back to school full-time can bring other areas of students’ lives to a screeching halt.
Fortunately, many schools offer part-time MBA programs that allow the flexibility to maintain their career and family commitments while still continuing education. Choosing a program that is the right fit is essential to success. That’s why we put together a rundown of the best part-time MBA programs in Baltimore metro.
Carey Business School — Johns Hopkins
The Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins recently expanded its Flexible MBA track to include more online opportunities. Students opting for the Flexible MBA generally complete their 54 credits over the course of three years. An online or online-on-campus hybrid format for students with concentrations in Leading Organizations, Financial Businesses, or Health Care Management. Students pursuing the on-campus option enroll in eight-week sessions that take place Monday through Thursday from 6-9 p.m. in the evening. Carey offers classes on both the Baltimore and Washington DC campuses. Graduates of the Flexible MBA have gone on to hold powerful positions in companies like AT&T, UBS, and World Bank.
Perdue School of Business — Salisbury University
At the Salisbury Perdue School of Business, students can complete their part-time MBA in two years. Perdue offers a 100 percent online program as well as an online-on-campus hybrid. This MBA curriculum includes access to the SAP University Alliance Program, a global network that allows students and faculty to integrate SAP technologies and resources into the classroom. Gaining this technological know-how may give graduates an immediate edge in the marketplace. The program is excellent for students looking to completely shift trades, or aspiring to pursue the business side of an ostensibly unrelated area. Perdue’s MBA does not require that applicants have an undergraduate degree in a business-related field. In fact, Perdue has embraced students with undergraduate degrees in fields like archaeology and art history.
Sellinger School of Business — Loyola University Maryland
The part-time MBA at Sellinger School of Business is designed for students already balancing full jobs. Business school students on this track take their classes in the evenings, after the work-day is finished. Selling offers hybrid and online options for those who cannot consistently make it to campus for their classes. This program is ideal for students who would like to begin their business education on their own time frame, as applicants can enroll at the beginning of any term. Sellinger boasts an emphasis on “reflections, discernment and ethical commitment,” that distinguishes the program from many others.
Merrick School of Business—University of Baltimore
The Merrick School of Business Flexible MBA upholds University of Baltimore’s emphasis on offering programs that let students continue their educations without putting their lives on hold. All of the classes in this program take place in the evening, and 50 percent of the course are offered online. Courses are offered in seven-week terms. Students in this program set their own pace, and those in different time zones are not at a disadvantage, as online courses are offered in an asynchronous format. Students in the Flexible MBA can choose a full-time or part-time course load, without notifying anyone or navigating any administrative channels.
University of Maryland R.H. Smith School of Business
Students earning their MBA through the R.H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland’s part-time program have the benefit of an extremely flexible pace. MBAs can finish their degree in 24 months, 28 months or they can set their own speed and take up to five years. Smith might appeal to those who wish to learn more about the international marketplace, as this MBA program integrates global experiences into the curriculum. Students can choose to attend classes on University of Maryland’s Baltimore, Washington DC, or Rockville/Shady Grove campus. This program was ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Part-time MBAs.”