How long does it take to complete a part-time MBA?
The Part-Time MBA program at Northeastern's D'Amore-McKim School of Business provides you with the cutting-edge knowledge and skills you need to make an impact now and well into the future. This program is designed for professionals like you so you can create a flexible course schedule and complete the program at a pace that works for you.
The average time it typically takes students to complete a part-time MBA program is three years, depending on the course load per semester. Each semester you choose a course load that works with your current career and personal responsibilities. Take one or multiple classes per week during weeknights (starting at either 5:20 pm or 7:30 pm) and, after completing your core requirements, up to five courses online—a unique offering that few MBA programs provide.
Let's break down the program's structure and timeline to help you decide if our Part-Time MBA is the best fit for you.
Year One
Students enrolled in the Part-Time MBA program may begin in January or September. You'll start with core courses focused on business fundamentals. Students starting in the spring, for instance, may take Financial Reporting & Managerial Decision Making, whereas students starting in the fall may choose to begin with Operations and Supply Chain Management. All of these courses are instrumental in preparing you to lead in a rapidly-changing business world.
Students are also encouraged to choose up to two MBA concentrations out of 15 in-demand options. These concentrations help you gain in-depth knowledge that's immediately applicable to your professional responsibilities. Due to the program's flexible format, students can adjust their schedules each semester and progress at their own pace.
“When deciding between MBA programs, I didn't want to put my career on hold in order to continue my education,” said Nate Macht-Greenberg, Part-Time MBA'23. “I wanted the opportunity to pair together work and education instead of having to sacrifice one for the other. That's when I found the Part-Time MBA program at D'Amore-McKim. This program offers a wide variety of concentrations that I did not find with other MBA programs.”
Year Two
In your second year, you'll continue your rigorous core coursework, including marketing and financial decision-making seminars that encourage you to apply your new skills to your workspace and experiment with new problem-solving strategies. You'll also begin taking elective courses that empower you to design your degree around your areas of interest.
“Academics have always worked best for me when I can apply what I learn immediately. The day after a class, I can almost always apply what I've learned to something I'm doing at work. For example, when I was taking an entrepreneurship class last summer, I was able to apply what we learned about investor relations to the challenges faced by a company I was working within Bangkok,” said Chris Moore, Part-Time MBA'21.
You may also consider participating in Northeastern's various experience-powered learning opportunities. Students engaged with the 360 Huntington Fund manage an actuala real mutual fund in Northeastern's endowment. It's an experience that no simulated fund exercise can match. And if you're interested in entrepreneurship, Northeastern's student-led venture accelerator, IDEA, can provide the resources needed to compete in the challenging start-up world. In IDEA, you'll work alongside students and mentors through every stage of venture development. Not a founder? You can work with ventures as a joiner or a mentor.
Year Three
During the third year, students often wrap up their core curriculum and focus on elective coursework. Students spend time refining skills specific to their field of interest in these classes and network with faculty, entrepreneurs, and corporate partners.
“My mentor at Dana Farber earned her MBA at Northeastern, and she is so self-assured, knowledgeable, and a great communicator. She told me that the program helped her become the professional she is today,” said Camille Henry, Part-Time MBA'21. “I knew that the MBA program would provide me with the same level of career services.”
Part-Time MBA program students can take experience-powered learning to the next level with two immersive opportunities. You can explore business practices and culture abroad through an International Field Study. Here, you can gain intense exposure to the global business environment outside the traditional classroom while providing a unique addition to your resume.
You can also partake in a week-long residency in Washington, D.C. During this intensive MBA residency, students interact with current and former legislators and staff, senior civil servants, business executives, lobbyists, and other officials while learning first-hand how public policy affects the private sector and the economy.
Does a part-time MBA program interest you?
A part-time MBA can be rewarding and life-changing. Deciding to earn an MBA requires exploring what type of program is best for you. If you need a flexible schedule that allows you to balance work, life, and school, the Part-Time MBA is a wonderful option.
Regardless of which MBA program you choose, D'Amore-McKim's MBAs will prepare you for today's data-driven business world. You'll graduate with an advanced skill set that'll set you apart from your peers and allow you to lead with agility as you face business challenges throughout your career.
