Part-time Online MBA Programs - Degrees & Coursework
B-School Search
Many busy professionals consider returning to school to earn their master’s degree in business administration (MBA), but for some, the thought of devoting two years to intense full-time study is not realistic. Some cannot afford to quit their current position; others have family members that depend on them. Even some married graduate students realize that living solely on their spouse’s income for the duration of the program is not sustainable. While this might sound discouraging, the good news is that universities that offer full-time MBA programs have noticed and responded by creating part-time and flexible MBA programs.
Business schools began offering flexible and part-time degrees in response to declining applications for full-time MBA programs. According to the Graduate Management Admissions Council, enrollment for two-year full-time MBA programs has dropped by 60 percent in just the past few years. As a result, schools have restructured some of their degree programs to allow students to complete an MBA degree on a part-time basis.
Some schools and students use the terms part-time and flexible interchangeably. While a part-time degree program can be part of a school’s flexible offerings, a flexible program doesn’t necessarily mean that it is part-time. For example, a program can be a full-time hybrid program, which means the school offers flexibility with both online and in-person classes. Importantly, most part-time MBA programs are entirely online, adding more flexibility for students already pressed for time or money.
Featured Flexible & Part-Time MBA Programs | ||
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Queens University of Charlotte | Flexible MBA (Online) | View Full Profile |
University of North Carolina | MBA@UNC Online MBA | View Full Profile |
George Mason University | Online MBA | View Full Profile |
University of New Haven | Online MBA | View Full Profile |
Featured Part-Time Online MBA Programs
Once prospective students complete a part-time MBA program, they need to choose the school that best aligns with their needs. Here are twenty schools that offer part-time graduate degree programs for you to consider.
The MBA@UNC program is highly ranked among the top online MBA programs in the country. The program, which has multiple start dates in January, April, July, or October, combines interactive and live online classes, self-paced coursework, in-person learning, global immersions, and connections within the UNC network. For those with at least five or more years of professional business experience, a GMAT or GRE is not necessary.
The Kenan-Flagler Business School allows students to concentrate on corporate finance; data analytics and decision making; entrepreneurship; strategy and consulting; and marketing. The program’s 62-credit curriculum includes courses such as analytical tools for decision making; financial accounting; business strategy; strategic economics; corporate financial strategy; data analytics; global supply chain management; and managing innovation, among others.
Applicants to the program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and have at least two years of professional experience. Application requirements include a completed online application, a current resume, transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, two professional recommendations, two essays, and TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores for non-native English speakers.
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
Format: Online |
Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 36 months |
Estimated Tuition: $133,691.58 |
Graduates of the online MBA at the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business are trained to be competent leaders who make data-driven decisions. The faculty that teach in this part-time program is the same that teaches the on-campus classes. These faculty are leaders in their fields who have years of experience in the business world.
There are five specializations students can choose from, in addition to a general MBA track. They are finance, information systems and business analytics, supply chain management, marketing, and accounting. Students have access to academic and career advisors to help them chart their education and post-graduation goals.
Made up of 54 credits, the program’s curriculum includes coursework in data analysis; decision modeling; marketing management; operations management; organizational change; the impact of taxation on business entities; commercial bank management; social media and web analytics; customer equity management; and global trade logistics. Students must also complete four credits of residency courses to finish the program in 24 months.
Location: College Park, Maryland |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) |
Format: Online |
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
Estimated Tuition: $1,805 per credit |
There are five specializations students can choose from for the part-time online MBA from Villanova University School of Business. Students can choose from international business, finance, marketing, analytics, or strategic management. Villanova has built their online curriculum off of its success with its prestigious on-campus program. In fact, the online program has the same curriculum and faculty. There is a one-weekend residency that students must attend during their first two semesters enrolled in the program. Students who want to network further can attend online events or additional on-campus weekends. There is an international residency option as well.
Comprising 48 credits, the program includes courses such as analytical methods for data mining; business intelligence; corporate governance; corporate restructuring; international business management; global consumer insights; analytical methods for data mining; and marketing research tools.
Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) |
Format: Online with one weekend on campus |
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
Estimated Tuition: $1,409 per credit |
George Mason University offers a part-time online MBA program that closely mirrors its full-time on-campus program. Students wishing to develop additional expertise in data collection and analytics can get certified in business analytics. There is also a global residency option available to online students who can spend a week abroad visiting and studying companies in a foreign country. GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission.
Located in the nation’s capital, George Mason University provides students with a unique perspective on business and policy issues, preparing them with diverse skills and global expertise. The program emphasizes four primary areas of study: analytical decision-making, collaborative communication and leadership, contemporary issues in business, and knowledge of functional business disciplines.
The program consists of 48 credits. Sample some of the courses in the curriculum: statistics for business decision making; organizational behavior; managerial economics and decisions of the firm; marketing management; operations management; managerial finance; and financial reporting and decision making.
Location: Fairfax, Virginia |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
Format: Online |
Expected Time to Completion: 33 months |
Estimated Tuition: $1,101.70 per credit |
The online MBA program at Washington State University Carson College of Business emphasizes problem-solving, confident decision-making, and critical thinking. Students can choose a general degree program or a concentration in either marketing, finance, international business, or hospitality business management. Students who complete a concentration will receive a certificate in addition to their diploma.
There is an optional international field study where students travel to Prague for a week-long intensive residency. Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree, a 3.0 GPA, a resume, a statement of purpose, and a letter of recommendation. While GRE or GMAT scores are required, waivers are available for qualified students.
This MBA comprises 36 credits including coursework in an introduction to financial and managerial accounting; foundations in finance; data analysis for managers; foundations in operations management; strategic planning for personal and program success; strategy formulation and organizational design; managerial leadership and productivity; information systems analysis; and financial management.
Location: Pullman, Washington |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) |
Format: Online |
Expected Time to Completion: 22 to 29 months |
Estimated Tuition: $876 per credit |
Classes for the online MBA at the Ohio University Business School are offered in a convenient one class a time format. This part-time degree features semesters divided into two seven-week terms, with only one class each term. Most classes are in an asynchronous format allowing for increased flexibility to complete courses. Students will still have ample time to interact with peers and faculty through virtual office hours, occasional live classes, and online discussions.
There is also one required on-campus weekend where students will have the opportunity to network. There are a total of nine concentrations for this degree including unique programs such as accounting; business analytics; business venturing & entrepreneurship; executive management; finance; health care; operations & supply chain management; project management; and strategic selling & sales leadership.
Sample some of the courses in the curriculum: descriptive analytics; strategic use of information systems; operations management; strategy; accounting for executives; managerial finance; strategic marketing; organizational behavior and human resource management; and applied business experience.
Location: Athens, Ohio |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
Format: Online with one on-campus, weekend-long workshop |
Expected Time to Completion: Six semesters |
Estimated Tuition: Ohio resident ($1,031 per credit); non-Ohio esident ($1,051 credit) |
The U.S. News and World Report named the W.P. Carey School of Business MBA the fifth best online MBA in the U.S. The business school offers a full-time, on-campus degree program and hybrid and online part-time programs. The part-time online program begins in January, May, and August. For added flexibility, students take one course at a time, with each course spanning five weeks, and can complete coursework and take exams whenever convenient.
Students must have five to ten years of professional work experience to enroll. As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as statistics for managers; financial performance reporting; operations and supply management; ethical issues for managers; managerial accounting; strategic management; and decisions, market structure, and games: managerial economics. The program consists of 49 credits.
Location: Tempe, Arizona |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools |
Format: Online with electives offered online or at international locations |
Expected Time to Completion: 21 months |
Estimated Tuition: $1,523.33 per credit |
Johns Hopkins University’s Carey Business School offers a flexible MBA program that is delivered in three formats: online, in-person, or a combination of both. The program allows students to choose from eight in-demand specializations: business analytics and risk management; entrepreneurial marketing; digital marketing; financial management; entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology; investments; health care management, innovation, and technology; and public and private sector leadership.
Courses are offered in eight-week terms and typically feature asynchronous learning activities with several real-time learning activities. However, some of the online courses require students to attend an on-campus residency for one to three days.
Examples of coursework from the online MBA program include corporate finance; operations management; accounting and financial reporting; business analytics; entrepreneurial ventures; data analytics; corporate governance; wealth management; social media analytics; power and politics; and marketing strategy. Students in this part-time MBA will complete a total of 54 credits (20 credits of business foundations courses and 34 credits of elective courses).
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) |
Format: Mostly online with several on-campus residencies |
Expected Time to Completion: 30 months |
Estimated Tuition: $ 1,800 per credit |
Babson College’s self-paced MBA program can be completed through various options, including fully in-person evening classes, 100 percent online evening classes, hybrid blended learning classes, weekend intensives, and even electives abroad. The part-time MBA offered by Babson College helps students in building the entrepreneurial mindset, global network, and strategic management skills needed to excel professionally.
There are several concentration options in business analytics; business analytics and machine learning; entrepreneurship; global management; finance; quantitative finance; and marketing. Made up of 45 credits, the program includes courses in entrepreneurship; financial reporting; managing people and organizations; marketing; strategy; operations and information management; and business analytics.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts; Wellesley, Massachusetts |
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); EQUIS |
Format: Online |
Expected Time to Completion: 18 months |
Estimated Tuition: $1,990 per credit |
Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business offers an online MBA that is led by the same industry-savvy faculty members who instruct the residential program providing students with the convenience of a part-time, online degree while still providing interactive, rigorous, and engaging courses needed for advancing their careers. Designed with working professionals in mind, this part-time online program includes live classes that typically meet on weekday evenings.
Students in this program will participate in at least two in-person immersions, offered at domestic and international locations. This 52-credit curriculum includes courses such as financial accounting; managing and leading people; fundamentals of marketing; digital marketing; complex problem solving; legal environment of business; fundamentals of finance; and strategic management.
Location: Dallas, Texas |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
Format: Online with two in-person immersions |
Expected Time to Completion: seven terms |
Estimated Tuition: $91,624 |
Calvin University’s online MBA offers a customizable curriculum that gives students the practical skills to ethically and confidently lead in any business area. With a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission, and students can focus their studies in the professional area of their choice with a general business track or one of two optional concentrations: business analytics concentration and nonprofit management concentration.
To get accepted into the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and submit a completed online application and official transcripts from each institution attended. Consisting of 36 credits, the program’s curriculum includes a course in statistical analysis; marketing concepts; corporate finance; leading groups and teams; leading organizations: structure, culture, and responsible leadership.
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan |
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
Format: Online |
Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 24 months |
Estimated Tuition: $660 per credit |
The University of New Haven offers an online MBA preparing students to navigate organizational challenges and leading teams to success. Emphasizing hands-on skill development and global business perspectives, the curriculum helps students make data-driven decisions and solve critical problems.
With career-focused concentration options in data analytics (STEM), global supply chain management, and business analytics, this fully online program empowers students to specialize in their studies and pursue their professional interests.
Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or recognized institution from another country, a completed online application, official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, a current resume, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation from professors or employers.
The program comprises 34 credits including coursework in economics for managers; accounting foundations; leadership and team building; managerial accounting; applied statistical methods; managing in a global economy; corporate finance; marketing analysis and customer value; and strategic management.
Location: West Haven, Connecticut |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) |
Format: Online |
Expected Time to Completion: 18 months |
Estimated Tuition: $795 per credit |
Aurora University (AU) offers an online master of business administration (MBA) program that stresses critical business topics and prepares students for advanced careers by expanding their team-building and problem-solving skills. Every course in this program is taught by dedicated faculty members who have real-world experience.
Consisting of 36 credits, the program includes courses such as marketing management; leadership and organizational behavior; budgeting & financial management; operations management; ethics & decision making; and strategic management.
Graduates of the program can take up roles such as advertising executives, brand specialists, consultants, entrepreneurs, marketing analysts, and sales managers.
Location: Aurora, Illinois |
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
Format: Online |
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
Estimated Tuition: $580 per credit |
Drake University’s online MBA has no in-person requirements or scheduled online class meetings and is led by expert faculty members who are experienced practitioners and recognized scholars. Focusing on a balance of ethical leadership, analytical reasoning, and strategic decision-making, the curriculum of this program can be customized based on career aspirations and personal interests. Emphasis areas include healthcare, business analytics, and an individualized area of study.
This 39-credit program includes courses such as financial reporting and analysis; creating customer value through marketing; corporate finance; leadership & human capital development; information technology and business; project management; and strategic business processes.
Location: Des Moines, Iowa |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
Format: Online |
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
Estimated Tuition: $718 per credit |
Bentley University’s online MBA degree is ranked among the top online programs in America by the U.S. News & World Report. The part-time curriculum for this MBA degree includes five foundation courses and six core courses, all available online and live-streaming. This part-time program offers the most flexible option making it a great option for busy, working professionals. The average annual salary for this program’s graduates is $108,749.
Students can also customize their degree with one of seven concentrations: accountancy, business analytics, finance, information systems and technology, law and taxation, leadership, or marketing. The curriculum includes courses such as managerial statistics; marketing management; business process management; leading responsibly; global strategy; designing for the value chain; and law, ethics, and social responsibility.
Location: Waltham, Massachusetts |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
Format: Online |
Expected Time to Completion: 18 months for the accelerated part-time online program |
Estimated Tuition: $5,590 per course |
Students enrolled in Southern Oregon University’s online MBA degree program can choose from one of seven programs: a general MBA or a concentration in accounting, business analytics, finance, healthcare administration, information analysis and decision-making, or marketing. The school does not require applicants to submit a GMAT or GRE for admission. It offers multiple start dates throughout the year.
This 45-credit program includes courses such as marketing management and strategies; strategic operations management; information systems; managerial accounting for decision making; economic analysis; legal and ethical issues in business and management; advanced organizational behavior; and financial management practices.
Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a grade point average of 3.0. Applicants with a 2.75 GPA must also have three or more years of relevant work experience. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required of applicants whose native language is not English.
Location: Ashland, Oregon |
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) |
Format: Online |
Expected Time to Completion: 16 months |
Estimated Tuition: $19,350 total |
The U.S. News and World Report (2022) named Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business MBA the 4th best online MBA in the U.S. The blended program focuses primarily on online learning and incorporates immersive on-campus weekends. Six times per year, students will spend a weekend either in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, or the Silicon Valley to meet with faculty and fellow students.
The curriculum includes courses such as probability and statistics; managing people and teams; managerial economics; financial and managerial accounting; operations management; global economics; corporate strategy; managing networks and organizations; ethics and leadership; and optimization.
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) |
Format: Hybrid |
Expected Time to Completion: 8 semesters |
Estimated Tuition: $758 per unit |
The U.S. News and World Report named the Kelley School of Business MBA the best online MBA in the U.S—tied with the University of North Carolina and the University of Southern California. The online option requires students to attend an intense, in-residence week in Bloomington at the start and end of the program so that students can build relationships with classmates and faculty. During the week, students will work in teams to solve a complex business problem for a real company.
This program’s students will complete the core curriculum and electives in person or online. Core courses include quantitative analysis; managing accounting information for decision-making; law and ethics in business; economics for managers; leading organization; operations management; and marketing management. The format of the online courses includes web-based meetings, discussion forums, simulations, and interactive classes. Students wishing to obtain a second master’s degree can opt for a dual degree option.
Students can also focus their studies on one of the several available specializations: business analytics; digital technology management; entrepreneurship and corporate innovation; finance; marketing; strategy and leadership; and supply chain and operations.
Location: Bloomington, Indiana |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
Format: Online with one on-campus week and optional on-campus electives |
Expected Time to Completion: Two to four years |
Estimated Tuition: $88,320.17 total |
With only 13 classes, students can earn an online MBA through Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business. This part-time program is completed in an average of 31 months, but students have up to six years to finish all the required coursework. Courses are either recordings of live classes, which allow students to really feel like they are in the classroom or studio-produced classes designed for online delivery. In addition to recorded lectures, students will participate in online discussions facilitated by faculty, which fosters peer relationships and networking.
There are seven online certificates and four dual-degree options students can complete to supplement their degree. Students must travel to campus once, at the end of the semester in which they take Business Project & Case Analysis, more commonly referred to as TRAC (Team Resourced Applied Consulting). Often, this is the final semester of the program.
The curriculum consists of courses such as financial analysis; quantitative analysis; strategic analysis & the competitive environment; organizational leadership & change; operations excellence; strategic marketing management; information systems for competitive advantage; and cost analysis & systems.
Location: Auburn, Alabama |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
Format: Online |
Expected Time to Completion: 31 months on average but can be up to six years |
Estimated Tuition: $950 per credit |
The University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business offers an engaging and flexible part-time MBA program, designed to be completed in 2-3 years. Ranked #5 in the 2022 Fortune Online MBA Ranking and #7 for online programs by Fortune, this program provides students with a comprehensive, integrated learning experience focusing on leadership, equity, diversity, and inclusion. The curriculum allows students to specialize with electives and complete a Katz Credential in a specific area.
Students have the opportunity to learn through cohort-based classes, forming professional connections with peers from diverse backgrounds and industries. The program also provides personalized career advice from Executives in Residence and access to Pitt’s extensive alumni network. With options for on-campus or online learning, flexibility is offered through evening classes and occasional online immersion courses. Residency weekends provide additional networking and integrated learning experiences. The admissions process is test optional, making it accessible to a wide range of prospective students. Graduates of the program progress in their careers with various companies, supported by the powerful Katz alumni network.
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
Format: Online |
Expected Time to Completion: 2-3 years |
Estimated Tuition: $1,634 per credit |
Professors to Know in Part-Time MBA Programs
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Altaf Ahmad, PhD, Arizona State University
Altaf Ahmad is a distinguished Clinical Associate Professor in the field of Information Systems and Technology Management at the esteemed Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, part of the University of Pittsburgh.
Before becoming a valued member of the Pitt Business faculty in 2022, Altaf held various positions at the renowned W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. During his time there, he played a vital role in leading the undergraduate program in Information Systems and played a key role in establishing the Business Data Analytics major. Additionally, Altaf excelled as an instructor, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in programming, database management, and web development. He also actively engaged with students, providing coaching for case competitions, hackathons, and advising student clubs. His exceptional teaching abilities, leadership skills, and commitment to service were duly recognized, with multiple awards and accolades, including the prestigious Huizingh Outstanding Teacher award on two occasions. -
Goker Aydin, PhD, Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Goker Aydin teaches operations management and business analytics at the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins. He holds a doctoral degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University and his primary areas of interest include dynamic pricing, operations management, quantitative methods, revenue management, and supply chain management.
Dr. Aydin uses mathematical models to gain insights into retailers' and suppliers' demand and supply uncertainty. He has earned many awards and contributed to multiple publications; most recently, Dr. Aydin was awarded the Kelley School MBA Class Teaching Excellence Award. -
Cheryl Druehl, PhD, George Mason University
Dr. Cheryl Druehl is an associate professor in operations management at George Mason's School of Business. She is also the interim senior associate dean and an associate dean for faculty thanks to her contributions to research, teaching, and service at the school. She teaches courses in operations management, management of technology and innovation processes, and supply chain management at the MBA, EMBA, and undergraduate levels.
Dr. Druehl has a doctorate in business administration from Stanford University, an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles. Her research interests include innovative contests, management of technology and innovation, new product development, sustainability, supply chain coordination, contracts, and competition. Dr. Druehl currently serves on the editorial review board of the Journal of Operations Management and Productions and Operations Management Journal.