Are you searching for a master’s degree to increase your earning potential? Then it is about time you considered a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). The median starting salary for an MBA degree was $115,000 in 2022.

If you want to start earning that kind of salary today, you may wonder: how long does it take to get an MBA? An MBA can take anywhere from 12 months to more than five years to earn.

The exact timeline to receive your MBA degree depends. Factors like MBA program type, work experience, and admissions requirements impact the total time it takes to graduate.

Today, we want to help you design a custom timeline based on your unique background. Keep reading this complete guide to learn how to calculate exactly how long it will take you to get your MBA degree.

How Long Does It Take to Get an MBA?

The length of time it takes to earn an MBA degree ranges from one to five or more years. Why such a wide range? The exact MBA degree timeline depends on the type of program you enroll in.

More common types of MBA programs include but are not limited to:

• Full-time MBAs
• Part-time MBAs
• Fast-track MBAs
• Accelerated MBAs

All of these programs can be in-person, online, or a combination of the two. Some programs allow you to work full- or part-time while earning your degree. Most programs require applicants to have at least some work experience.

Below, we outline the degree timeline for each of these four common types of MBA program formats.

How Long Do Full-Time MBAs Take?

Full-time MBAs generally take two years to complete. The only exception is for students entering a full-time accelerated MBA program (more on these in a moment).

A full-time MBA may be in person or online. Most of these courses require at least 36 credits to receive a degree. That equates to 12 classes worth 3 credit hours each.

Most students who enroll in full-time MBAs do not have much work experience. Many students may enter these programs directly out of undergraduate school. Others work for up to three years before applying.

How Long Do Part-Time MBAs Take?

Part-time MBA programs can take three or more years to complete. That is because students take smaller course loads. These degree programs often offer hybrid in-person and online formats for ultimate flexibility.

Professionals who wish to work while earning their degrees often choose part-time MBA programs. These students can take one course per semester at night, on the weekends, or a combination of the two.

How Long Do Fast-Track MBAs Take?

Fast-track MBAs take five total years to complete. That is why they are also known as 4+1 programs. They combine a four-year undergraduate degree with a one-year MBA degree.

This type of program is one of the fastest ways to earn your MBA. Yet, you must start early. Most programs require undergraduate schools to declare this program during their junior or even sophomore year.

How Long Do Accelerated MBAs Take?

Accelerated MBAs generally take 12–18 months to complete. Students with significant work experience in business or management can receive credit toward their degree. In exchange, the course load is lighter.

These accelerated programs typically require students to take classes full-time. However, this is not always the case. For example, EMBA (more on this next) students work and take courses on weekends or at night.

A common accelerated MBA pathway is the Executive MBA (EMBA). Applicants generally have 8+ years of work experience, including significant management roles. These students can earn their degrees in as little as one year.

One-year MBA programs are also becoming increasingly common these days. Most European business schools offer one-year degrees. That trend is catching on in the United States now.

What Determines a Student’s MBA Timeline?

The time it takes to earn an MBA degree is unique for each individual student. Multiple factors go into how fast or slow you can complete the MBA credits required for graduation. We discuss some of these factors below.

Admissions Timelines

Some MBA programs have more stringent admissions requirements than others. And this stringency can delay the timeline of getting your degree. For example, some programs require GRE or GMAT scores while others do not.

Studying to pass the GRE or GMAT is a requirement before you can even apply. This can add months or even years to the time it takes to get your degree.

Program Type

As you can see above, the timeline to graduate greatly depends on the MBA program format. This contrast is most stark when looking at full-time and part-time programs.

Full-time accelerated programs can take as little as 12 months to up to two years to earn a degree. Part-time programs take at least three years, if not more, to complete.

In-person vs. online class formats can also impact the time to graduation. Purely online degree programs may take less time because classes tend to be shorter. Your courses may only last six to eight weeks.

Purely in-person programs tend to take longer to earn a degree. Most in-person courses use a semester format. That means it would take 15 weeks to complete the class, nearly twice as long as online coursework.

Blended MBA programs incorporate in-person and online classes. The time needed to complete these programs sits between the two.

Specialization

Some MBA programs only require students to take fundamental business classes. Other programs allow students to specialize. According to the Princeton Review, the most common MBA specializations in the US are:

• General Management
• International Management
• Strategy
• Consulting
• Finance Leadership
• Entrepreneurship
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• IT Management

Specializing in one or more subjects increases the timeline to get your degree. You will have to finish all your core MBA classes first. Only then can you move on to take the electives required for your specialization.

How to Speed Up the MBA Timeline

If you only have a limited amount of time to earn your MBA, don’t let the above information get you down. There are multiple ways to speed up the timeline. Here are our top tips for doing just that.

Apply for a Program With a GMAT/GRE Waiver

You may think that only unaccredited programs waive the GMAT/GRE requirement. Yet, it is more common than ever for master’s degree programs to waive this requirement for new applicants. MBA programs are no exception.

Not having to take standardized tests can greatly decrease the amount of time needed to get your degree. Search for schools that do not require standardized testing scores to apply.

Even if your program does not advertise these waivers, you should inquire anyway. Some degree programs allow students with high GPAs or considerable work experience to apply without needing test scores.

Consider a Fast-Track MBA Program

If you are an undergraduate or high school student, the best way to speed up the timeline to getting your MBA is to choose a fast-track program. However, keep in mind that not all undergraduate schools offer 4+1 degree paths.

People who hold an undergraduate degree already likely won’t benefit from a fast-track program. In that case, consider an accelerated MBA.

Enroll in a Program That Doesn’t Require Work Experience

Many MBA programs require applicants to accumulate work experience before applying. This is especially true of applicants who do not have a degree in business or a related field.

Some programs, on the other hand, do not have these requirements. You can apply directly out of undergraduate school. If you are a career changer, you can apply after only a few years of working.

Not having to gain work experience can greatly decrease the MBA degree timeline. You can apply any time you want to advance or even switch your career.

Go for a Full-Time MBA Program

Full-time MBAs take much less time to complete than part-time programs. That is because full-time students take full courseloads. The maximum time it takes to complete a full-time program is two years.

Choosing online classes or taking on an accelerated course load can speed up full-time programs even further. You may be able to earn your master’s degree in as little as 12–18 months.

Get More Management Experience

There are still solutions for those who can not apply for an MBA program without work experience. Getting more management experience can apply to your degree program. Then, you can apply for an accelerated program.

Accelerated programs allow you to exchange work experience for in-class work. The exact number of credits you receive depends on your experience. The more managerial work you have done, the more credits you will likely receive.

Sometimes, schools will offer credits for work experience even if you do not enroll in an accelerated program. This is yet another way to speed up the timeline to getting your MBA.

MBA Program Application Requirements

Another way to get into your desired MBA program faster is to come prepared. If you are gearing up to apply to an MBA program, make sure to include the following in your admissions timeline.

GPA Requirements

The average GPA of students entering an accredited MBA program sits between 3.5 and 3.7. Most schools will not consider students with GPAs lower than 2.0.

If you want to try your luck with a lower GPA, there are some things you can do to improve your chances. Improving your chances will speed up the timeline to earning your degree.

For example, you could submit excellent letters of recommendation from professors. Even better, a recommendation letter from an employer verifying your work ethic and management potential.

Transcripts

Master’s programs require you to submit transcripts of your undergraduate work. These must be official transcripts. If you send in an unofficial transcript, this could delay the admissions process.

GMAT or GRE Scores

Not all schools require GMAT or GRE scores to apply for a master’s degree. However, some do. As we mentioned earlier, programs requiring these tests will slow down the timeline to earn your degree.

Admissions Interview

Most MBA programs require students to attend an admissions interview. Often, schools only schedule interviews with top candidates. The more candidates the program interviews, the longer it will take to receive your acceptance letter.

Professional Work Experience

Not all MBA programs require professional work experience. Full-time programs often waive this requirement for recent graduates who majored in business, finance, or a related field.

MBA Timelines at NDNU

Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) offers two masters in business programs with different timelines. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) only requires 36 credits and can take as little as 18 months to complete.

We also offer a degree path for students wishing to gain expertise in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This program requires students to take core business management courses plus 12 STEM credits.

In addition to core business management courses, MBAstem students earn credits in STEM subjects such as:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Decision support
• DevSecOps
• Business evaluation
• Business analytics

We offer part-time and full-time options to help you speed up your degree timeline. Depending on the program you choose, you can take in-person, online, or blended courses. Classes take eight weeks to complete.

To speed up MBA timelines even further, we waive testing requirements for admission. You do not have to submit GRE or GMAT scores, no matter your undergraduate degree or GPA.

Want to Earn Your MBA Fast?

We hope this guide answers your question: how long does it take to get an MBA? At NDNU, you can earn your Master’s in Business Administration degree in as little as 18 months with our MBA and MBAstem programs.

Are you ready to apply for a business master’s degree from NDNU? Head to our Admissions page to learn more about applying. Or fill out an application to start your journey toward an MBA today!