Articles

Typical Program Lengths For MBA Degrees Online

2010-11-16

An online MBA program has many advantages for the working professional. A typical online MBA program may take approximately 18 months to complete. This is six months less than a traditional program. The shorter program length should not be attributed to an inferior learning experience. Online MBA programs are offered by a wide variety of schools, including many that have brick and mortar programs and established MBA programs. Due to the popularity and success of completely online programs, these schools have begun to offer online MBAs to reach the professionals who have the desire but not the time to attend classes due to their busy schedules.

The program length of an online MBA is generally six months shorter than traditional MBA programs due to the fact that the program is designed to be done straight through with no breaks for summer. A traditional MBA program offers classes during a traditional school year, which runs from late August until early May. This is mainly because MBA programs are offered by graduate schools that are connected to traditional universities, which offer the bulk of classes during the school year. Though there may be classes offered during the summer break, they are usually classes offered for those who need to make up failed classes during the school year. Additionally, traditional students usually anticipate using summer months to begin expanding their career prospects with internships or other enrichment activities.

Another advantage of a typical online MBA program is the presentation of the courses. Most programs allow students to take one class at a time with each course lasting approximately 6 weeks. This allows the student to be totally immersed in the material for one course. Also, the student is only responsible for projects and papers related to the current course. A traditional student may take anywhere from one to four courses in a 16 week semester. Additionally, the online environment makes the student responsible for more independent study and self-direction without leaving the student completely alone in the learning process.

Depending on the learning style of the student, both the traditional and the online MBA programs offer advantages. Though there are many advantages to the online MBA to the professional looking to advance in the business field. One advantage that is immediately evident is that the program takes less than a traditional MBA program offered at brick and mortar schools. The working business professional is able to participate in classes, gain the education and advance in the field while still holding down a job and raising a family. The fact that the online MBA usually takes 18 months to complete does make the decision to complete an advanced degree more manageable.