How to Think About Different Program Formats

Considering which format is right for you? Often people start with the constraints. For example:

      • Over 30 years old? Many full-time MBA programs have an average age of 26-28 years old for their entering class. Should you then opt for a part-time or executive program?
      • Don’t want to quit your job? Maybe you feel like you can’t because of family or other obligations. So is part-time your only option?
      • Want to change careers or your profession? Part-time and executive program students tend to stay within the same field, often with the same company after completing their MBA. Do you have to attend a full-time MBA program to make a career switch?

Age and maintaining employment are certainly factors to be considered when determining the program format that is best for you. But don’t start with the limitations (plenty of time to consider those later). Instead start with your GOALS!

      • What are your short-term and long-term goals?
      • Which MBA program format seems to be the best fit for your goals?
      • What are the constraints that may limit your ability to pursue that program type? How do you overcome those? Or if you choose to pursue a different program type, how do you adapt it to meet your needs (to reach your goals)?
It’s all about your goals.

Example: Candidate is currently working as an engineer for a multinational company.

Goals: She wants to shift to marketing. She wouldn’t mind staying with the same company, but is really interested in the brand management companies like Proctor & Gamble and General Mills (these companies actively recruit from full-time MBA programs) and wants to be a Chief Marketing Officer someday.
Program Fit: Candidate wants to make a major career switch. Most of her contacts are in engineering and she wants to build a deeper more robust network. A full-time program may be the best fit for her.
Constraints: Candidate has always worked, even in college; doesn’t like taking on debt. Her spouse has a job locally. Plus her company will pay for her to attend a part-time program at a local business school.

      • Full-time program: money and her spouse’s employment are the constraints.  Are there ways that she can overcome these (for example, by getting scholarships or by find a full-time program close by or in a location that can accommodate her spouse)?
      • Part-time program: many part-time programs have more limited career services and relationship building opportunities. What can she do to career options for herself (for example, by networking her way into a marketing position at her company while still in school or by leveraging her professors and others to develop marketing contacts?

This is not simple and constraints are real, but push yourself to consider all of your options. An MBA is a tool for your career advancement. Aim for the program that positions you best to reach your professional goals.

Below is a brief chart that outlines some of the typical characteristics of each program type. Please note that there are many variations and hybrid models, such as George Washington School of Business Accelerated MBA (hybrid part-time/full-time program). Like a traditional PT program, The AMBA is for working professionals with classes on Tuesdays and Saturdays; but like a full-time program, the AMBA is 24-month program, allows for a global study abroad experience and students go through the program in cohorts (allowing for strong relationship building).

 

Part-time Full-time Executive
Duration Flexible (generally 2 ½ to 5 years) Typically 2 years (21 months) Varies; tends to be highly structured (12 to 24 months)
Career Profile Working professional (experience varies significantly) Not employed (technically, a full-time student); generally have some previous work experience Working professional with significant experience
Admissions Admissions process tends to be less competitive than full-time programs (this is not necessarily the case with PT programs in major cities) More competitive admissions process Admissions process tends to be less competitive than full-time programs, but more rigid in candidate profile (minimum age/ years of work experience)
Career Profile Career Enhancers Career Switchers (Generally have an internship in summer between 1st year and 2nd year) Career Enhancers
Advantages Costs less than the other program types and is paid by credit hour versus a lump sum tuition payment; Employer may be more likely to pay all or some of tuition cost; Remain employed Focused study (without work, school can be primary focus); Deep immersion into MBA experience; Deeper Relationship Building (cohort model) Often sponsored by employer (may flexible work arrangements to accommodate program); Often have cohort model that enables relationship building with classmates
Disadvantages Challenge to balance work, school and home; Longer than two years; More limited on-campus career services resources; More limited interaction with classmates; May not qualify for student loans unless minimum credit hours are met No income (not working); Out of the job market, re-entry risk (not getting the desired job or having difficult re-entering) Most expensive program format; Generally no on-campus career services resources (can be a conflict of interest if employer is paying for MBA)