Professional MBA
Professional MBA programs are specifically designed for people who are currently employed in the business world and want to pursue an MBA. Although many professionals pay for the degree out of their own pocket, a significant number also have some or all of the costs associated with the degree covered by their employer. Many professional MBA programs combine features of part-time and distance learning programs. The result is a challenging program that allows students to finish their degree in roughly the same amount of time as if they had attended a full-time institution, while also being able to remain in the workforce. Following is a brief overview of the admissions criteria and course delivery for typical professional MBA programs.Admissions
In general, the admissions criteria are just as rigorous for professional MBA programs as for full-time ones. Potential students must write the GMAT, provide a transcript and references, and may also be required to participate in an interview.Course delivery
The exact way in which the program will be structured will vary from school to school. However, students may be required to attend on-campus classes as some schools have several full days of classes that occur approximately once a month. Students attend classes on campus and interact with their instructors and colleagues. In addition, some program requirements may have to be completed on the student's own time. This is often done through online learning platforms.While many part-time programs allow the student to work at their own pace, most professional MBA programs do not. There are regular deadlines to meet, and all students in the program take the same courses. They will typically start and finish their MBA degree at the same time. Although handling the aggressive workload while working full-time will obviously be stressful for the student, those enrolled in professional MBA programs have the advantage of finishing the degree quickly, usually within about two years.
