How Long is a Graduate Business Administration Degree?
In general, a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree might take 1 to 2 years of education beyond the Bachelor’s degree to complete. Beyond that, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree or a PhD in Business degree might take 3-6 years after the master’s degree. Often, students in business graduate programs are working professionals, so time to completion might vary depending on whether one pursues their degree full-time, a part-time MBA, or finds an accelerated program option. Additionally, each business graduate school may have its own requirements.
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Types of Business Administration Degree Programs
Business administration degree programs build on prior knowledge and skill-sets. Some business graduate programs are offered for experienced executives. Other programs are designed as preparatory programs for the Masters of Business Administration.
Graduate Business Certificates
Graduate certificate in business administration programs tend to be shorter term than full business degrees. Graduate business certificates might offer a preparatory academic step towards an MBA, where students take the core MBA courses; credits might then be transferred (though this is subject to each business school’s requirements). Others graduate certificates in business might be offered to experienced candidates as add-on credentials.
Pre-MBA Programs
A Pre-MBA degree program is often used as a way for undergraduates to prepare for the challenges of an MBA degree program. Some are short and others could take a year or so. You might find a program that is geared to GMAT or TOEFL preparation, whereas others may emphasize writing, communication or technical skills. If you are considering working towards an MBA, some business graduate schools require students to choose a concentration area. Being sufficiently ready might help go confidently towards graduate school, armed with a distinct idea of where your interests lie (e.g. finance vs. health administration)
Executive Masters of Business Administration | EMBA Programs
An Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) is a graduate degree like the MBA but designed with the working executives, managers, business leaders and current entrepreneurs in mind. Some EMBA programs are full-time 1-year programs for professionals with about 5 years of work experience.
Masters of Business Administration | MBA Programs
Originating in the United States as a response to industrialism, the MBA - Master of Business Administration is considered a professional and terminal degree. Students take elective courses in an area of interest, though primary emphasis is on analysis and strategy in business topics that span fields such as accounting, finance and economics to operations and marketing. Look for Accelerated MBA, Part-time MBA, 2-Year Full-Time MBA, and Dual Degree MBA options.
Doctor of Business Administration | DBA Programs
Past the master’s level, the highest business administration degree awarded is the Doctor of Business Administration, or DBA degree, which is equivalent academically to a PhD in Business Administration. While the PhD is a research-focused degree where participants must contribute original thought and a dissertation, the DBA is a professional practice doctorate. Students conduct research with the goal of applying to specific issues in business and management.
Explore Degree Programs for Business Administration & Management
Are Online Business Degrees Available?
An important decision is the issue of how to best earn your business administration degree.
Campus business graduate programs allow for face-to-face interaction that might be a useful way to network or gain valuable one-one times with a professor. Many campus programs offer formats to accommodate working students
Hybrid business graduate programsare blended learning programs that offer a combination of distance-learning with onsite requirements. These are low residency and flexible in general.
Online business graduate programs are either non-interactive, pre-recorded or live teleconference formats. These often suit someone who is working, has a family or lives too far from an accredited business school.
Use the on-page navigation to find accredited business graduate schools by location; select a city, state or country for sponsored providers in that area. Otherwise, choose your program level (Masters, Doctorate, Certificate) and review sponsored program listings in the format of choice. Expect a bit of variance from Business Schools; use the green ‘request info’ tab to connect with a prospective graduate school and find out what makes them unique.
Understanding Business School Accreditation
Whatever level or format of business administration degree you pursue, business school accreditation should be on your priority checklist. Accreditation by a national or regional accreditor distinguishes in as an institution of higher learning that adheres to high quality standards.
National accreditors for business graduate programs include the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Accreditation Council for Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). To find out if a business school is accredited, check the accreditation agency’s website to see if their status is current.
Why Consider a Business Administration Degree?
According to BLS, While many management occupations require a Bachelor’s degree as the entry-level education requirement, earning an MBA or DBA degree might prepare graduates for positions of seniority or higher wages.
Take the Next Step with our List of 18 Business Administration & Management Degree Programs
Now you're equipped with the information you need to start your search for a graduate program in business administration. The academic path you choose may depend largely on what you plan to do after you complete your degree. To a certain extent, you want to not only prepare yourself with an education but also the ‘right’ education for the type of career you want to lead.
Don’t be shy, reaching out to more than one business administration graduate school may increase your chances of achieving your goal. Just click request info, fill out the for, and be sure you understand the ins and outs of each program.
Why wait? You future Business Administration Graduate Program could be one click away!
