The part-time route to the MBA

In the not-too-distant past, managers keen to climb the organizational ladder faced a difficult decision. Should they take a year away from their job to gain an MBA, with all the additional knowledge of business theory and practice that would bring, or should they stay in work, remain visible around the workplace, and hope that the extra skills they would gain "on the job" would put them in the running for any executive jobs that arose in the meantime?

Some, of course, would have too many financial and other life commitments to contemplate taking a whole year out of the job market and funding what could be an expensive year of study. Others might be fortunate enough to work for an employer who would guarantee their job back at the end of the course – and even promise a bit of help towards the fees. For the vast majority, however, the pros and cons of opting for a full-time MBA were finely balanced.

In recent years, however, the rise of part-time MBAs and more flexible study pathways have made the decision much easier. A wide range of universities now offers managers the chance to broaden their skills through MBA study, while remaining in full-time work.

The main possibilities are:

This usually takes around 2.5 years to complete, but can take up to six years. For the first two years, participants attend a business school on one or two evenings a week to study the main MBA courses – in areas such as business economics and accounting, operations and marketing management, human resource management, and strategic management – plus a number of more specialised options. They then typically take a further period of time – most frequently around six months, but in some cases up to four years – to complete a management project. The attendance requirements in the first couple of years make the executive part-time degree most suitable for someone living or working within a couple of hours’ drive of the business school he or she has selected.

For managers prevented from studying for an executive part-time MBA by the need to attend regular weekly sessions, a number of business schools offer a modular pathway to the qualification. The core modules are completed in four or five intensive "blocks" of study, usually lasting nine or ten days each and often including a weekend. Each session is preceded by preparatory course work and followed by projects and assignments. Participants then complete the management project on a similar basis to that of the executive part-time MBA students.

While business schools typically require their MBA students to have at least three years’ relevant work experience in addition to a first degree, people following the executive-modular MBA pathway may be required to have spent at least five years in management. The reason is the volume of work that participants must cover during the residential blocks of study. Participants normally take between three and six years to complete an executive-modular MBA.

The arrival of the internet opened up a third opportunity for part-time MBA study – through distance learning. This option provides participants with maximum flexibility to combine study with work, home and family life. It also creates a truly global market in MBA provision, by virtually eliminating the need for participants to select a business school close to their place of residence or work.

The quality of the paper and web-based learning materials provided is almost as important a factor as the quality of faculty in deciding where to register for a distance-learning MBA. Also important is the quality of the back-up team, made up of course administrator, programme manager and director of studies. Well-structured distance learning programmes include problem-solving exercises and case studies to help participants to reflect upon and understand the practical application of the material they receive.

Participants can complete a distance-learning MBA in two years or take it over a longer period – sometimes up to six years. Distance-learning students most commonly complete the programme in three years, devoting between 12 and 15 hours a week to study.

Whichever part-time MBA pathway participants choose, they should approach their employer at an early stage about financial support and about the time and attendance requirements of the programme. Participants should also discuss their plans fully with their family, who will need to be aware of all the time demands and the need to establish priorities.

Most business schools offer the chance to change one’s mode of study as one’s work and life commitments alter – studying full time, part time in blocks, in the evening or through distance learning, as required. Like modern business itself, it all comes down to flexibility and not timetabling.

For further details
Bradford University School of Management