Despite the substantial benefits of earning an MBA, for many professionals, the idea of taking an extended detour while they earn their degree may be impractical or even impossible. An accelerated MBA allows motivated students to bring their new knowledge and qualifications to the workforce more quickly. For those Toronto-bound aspiring business school students hoping to earn their degree in a manageable time frame, we’ve laid out the best accelerated MBA programs in Toronto.
Ivey Business School — Western University Canada
Western University Canada’s Ivey Business School boasts an affordable accelerated MBA program. This program is not for everyone, as it exclusive to Ivey grads who have gone through the Honors Business Administration (HBA) undergrad program. However, for recent HBA grads, the AMBA may be an attractive option. According to the school’s website, AMBA tuition is $53,000 for domestic students and $61,000 for international students. Not only do AMBA students earn their degrees faster, but their tuition is 60 percent of the cost of the standard full-time program. In addition to the considerable difference in cost, the AMBA can be completed in just eight months, as opposed to the full-time MBA, which takes one year to complete.
DeGroote School of Business — McMaster University
Students seeking their accelerated MBA from the DeGroote School of Business can commit to a part-time or full-time course load. Full-time AMBAs will earn their degrees in eight months, whereas those on the part-time track may take up to 20 months. Students entering this program must have a minimum of one year of work and continuous managerial or professional experience. For those who don’t meet this qualification, DeGroote makes exceptions for those with one year of internship or co-op experience. This program is limited to applicants from domestic undergraduate institutions. DeGroote’s MBA program is different from many other schools due to its emphasis on hands-on opportunities and work experience. The school achieves this focus through case studies and projects that involve real organizations and situations.
Schulich School of Business — York University
The Schulich School of Business accelerated MBA allows students to skip many of the first year for classes, and essentially dive right into the second year MBA curriculum. Students on this track can complete their degrees in half the time it takes to complete the full-time program, significantly cutting costs. To receive all of the program’s benefits, students must have received a business degree from a Canadian institution within the last ten years, or hold a CPA, CA classification in Ontario. Those who have earned their degrees outside of Canada, and thus do not meet these qualifications, can apply for Advanced Standing Credits, which allows them to waive many of their core first year courses.
Lazaridis School of Business & Economics — Toronto Campus
The Lazaridis School of Business & Economics offers an accelerated Alternate Weekend MBA option. This is an ideal program for those looking to acquire an MBA education while maintaining a full-time career. Those who excel in this track transition to the comprehensive elective stage of the MBA curriculum. This allows motivated students to quickly zero in on their particular interests and specialization. Lazaridis offers nine MBA specializations, including: Accounting, Financial Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Business Management, Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, Strategic Management, and Supply Chain Management. The accelerated Alternate Weekend MBA program also gives students a break from June through August, so MBAs juggling their professional and academic obligations can focus solely on their career ambitions during this time.