When researching MBA programs, have you been surprised by the different types of MBA programs available for you to choose from? Well, the options for you are many out there. This article is here to help you choose an MBA program that fits your schedule and career goals. Moreover, we will also analyse each MBA program based on duration, mode of delivery and concentrations. So, without further ado, let’s dive in to see what are the types of MBA programs available. 

Types of MBA Programs Based on Duration

• Part-time
• Full-time 1 year
• Full-time 2 year
• Executive
• Global

Part-time MBA Programs

Part-time MBA programs, as the name suggests, allows you to keep your job and complete your MBA course without having to quit your job. Here you can complete the course at your own pace. This program is an ideal fit for someone looking to grow within their organization and juggle between the requirements of their jobs and the MBA coursework. Usually, students pursuing an MBA program part-time take around three years to graduate and have the luxury of doing so by keeping their jobs. These programs are also a good option for those who do not want to risk giving up a job they already have.

Full-time 1-Year MBA Programs 

A full-time MBA program is a fast-paced MBA program that can be completed between 12 to 16 months. Such MBA programs are designed to cater to the needs of business professionals. If you are interested in such a program, chances are that you are looking to accelerate your career in your industry or job function by earning an MBA degree that has a practical approach. These programs focus only on essential modules to equip you with the skills needed and at the same time complete the program in a shorter period. You should be aware though, that such programs are quite immersive and intense. Be prepared to share your classroom with professionals who have substantial experience, which also offers a great opportunity to grow your network.

Full-time 2-year MBA Programs

This is a typical MBA program that requires you to attend business school/university for a period of 24 months. This MBA program can be general or concentrated in a particular business function (discussed further in the article). You are required to be 100% committed to this intense program, which may require you to quit your current job. Ideally, this program suits the needs of early professionals who would like to hone their business skills and take up bigger and better job roles in their careers. This type of MBA program also suits someone looking to transition their career towards a managerial or corporate one. Furthermore, these MBA programs also turn out to be more expensive because of the two-year period . Hence, you need to plan the funding of tuition fees beforehand.

Executive MBA Program or EMBA Programs 

Although these courses are also one year long, executive MBA programs cater to a different class of business professionals. These MBA programs are more module-based, which means they cover essential modules necessary to hone particular skills. Since they cater to professionals who are already in a senior-level position, it includes modules on leadership and ethics. This type of MBA program is an ideal fit for a business professional with more than 10 years of experience and looking to take up leadership directorial positions in their organizations.

Global MBA Programs

A global MBA program, as the name suggests, is a program that allows you to complete the course by studying at various campuses that a business school may have. By studying at several locations, students get the opportunity to learn business practices in the context of each location and its business environment. Students also get the opportunity to network with a very diverse set of classmates.

Types of MBA Programs Based on Mode of Delivery

• Campus-based
• Online MBA

Campus-based MBA Program

A campus-based MBA program is a traditional MBA program that can be either full or part-time and is delivered at one or more campuses of the business school. Classes can run during the day or even in the evenings to support working professionals, depending on the MBA program designed by the business school.

Online MBA Program

An program whose curriculum is taught completely over the internet would classify under the online MBA program. Students are required to undergo all the requisites of a regular MBA degree by attending classes and completing the program without having to travel to the campus. This program is ideal if you are not looking to move abroad and want to earn the MBA degree of a particular university or business school without incurring the cost of relocating to the country or city the institution is located at. This MBA category has particularly gained popularity due to the pandemic. With travel restrictions in place and most institutions physically shut, students and business schools have continued to seek and impart education by way of the online model. 

Hybrid Model

This type of MBA degree involves the aspects of both online and campus-based. The university may offer classes both online and on-campus for students to choose from and they can do so based on their preferred approach.

Types of MBA Programs Based on Concentrations

• MBA – Marketing
• MBA – Finance
• MBA – Logistics and Supply Chain
• MBA – Entrepreneurship
• MBA – Strategy
• MBA – Business Innovation
• MBA – Human Resources
• MBA – Accounting

These MBA programs in general are centred on a particular business function. They may have general courses in the first year of the business program and the second year of the course is dedicated to the concentration you choose. MBA programs that focus on a particular concentration are an ideal fit for someone who is looking to build a strong background in a particular field. 

If you’re interested in this type of MBA degree, it is mostly because you are looking to build further skills and expertise in a particular business function. So, if you have considerable experience within a field, such as finance or marketing and would like to further enhance your knowledge in any of these business functions, then an MBA program with a particular concentration is an ideal fit for you.   

Now that we have informed you about the different types of MBA degrees, you are in a better position to evaluate which MBA program best suits your needs. 

All the best!