MBA Credit Hours by Program Type

How many credits is an MBA? From 36 to 48 credit hours is the usual range, though there are exceptions. Essentially, an MBA takes from 1 to 2 years of full-time study to complete.

Most programs are between the extremes. Accelerated programs offer the faster path to graduation. Part-time options stretch the timeline to 2-4 years.

Understanding how many credits an MBA requires, and the time commitment, helps you plan for success.

Overview

MBA programs typically require from 36 to 60 credits. The exact number depends on the business school and the program type, whether it’s full-time, part-time, or accelerated. Each program is designed with different goals in mind, from speeding up your career to allowing you to balance work and study.

Full-time MBAs often take 1 to 2 years, allowing students to immerse themselves in intensive coursework. Part-time programs, however, extend the study period, making it more flexible for professionals juggling a career. Meanwhile, accelerated programs cram a lot into a short period by avoiding long study breaks.

Choosing the right path depends on your career goals, availability, and how fast you want to re-enter the job market with your new MBA credentials.

Key Takeaways

• Full-time MBAs typically require 36-48 credits and take 1-2 years to finish.
• Part-time MBAs are usually 36 credit hours and take 2 years.
• Accelerated programs reduce completion time to 12-18 months.
• Online programs feature short, focused study blocks, making scheduling flexible.
• Non-accelerated programs follow a traditional academic schedule of 2 semesters per year.

MBA Duration Figures

Good MBA completed a detailed analysis of the standard duration of each type of MBA. Thanks to Tomas Herbert from Good MBA for these statistics.

Full-time Accelerated programs with 36 credits take 1 year. With 48 credits, they take 1.3 years.

Full-time Non-accelerated programs with 36 credits take 1.3 years, and with 48 credits, they take 1.7 years.

Part-time Accelerated programs with 36 credits take 2 years. With 48 credits, they take 2.7 years.

Part-time Non-accelerated programs with 36 credits take 2.7 years, and with 48 credits, they take 3.7 years.

Extended Full-Time programs with 60 credits take 2 years.

Note: 0.3 years equates to 4 months or one 15-week semester. 0.7 years corresponds with 8 months or two semesters.

Full-Time

Full-time MBA programs allow you to finish quickly, typically taking 1-2 years to complete. Most full-time programs require 36-48 credits. These are perfect if you can dedicate time solely to studying without needing to balance a job alongside it.

Accelerated full-time MBAs can be completed in as little as 12 months. The pace is intense, but the reward is a faster return to the workforce. Non-accelerated full-time programs, on the other hand, stretch to 2 years, allowing for more breaks between semesters and the opportunity to engage in internships or professional projects.

Whether it’s the faster-paced option or a traditional setup, full-time MBAs offer a deep dive into essential business disciplines, helping you get ahead faster.

Part-Time

Part-time MBAs cater to working professionals, allowing students to complete the degree over 2 to 4 years. Most part-time programs balance the workload by offering fewer credits per semester, typically stretching the timeline.

Accelerated part-time MBAs reduce the study duration by offering shorter study blocks of 6-7 weeks. This allows students to complete their degree faster, typically in about 2 years, while maintaining their career. Non-accelerated part-time programs are more traditional and can take up to 4 years, which might appeal to those who prefer a slower, more manageable pace.

Whether accelerated or traditional, part-time MBAs offer the flexibility needed to balance work, life, and education, making it a popular choice for professionals seeking career advancement without putting their job on hold.

Accelerated Courses

Accelerated MBA programs are ideal for students who want to fast-track their education and career. Full-time accelerated MBAs can be completed in 12-18 months, compressing the workload into continuous study blocks with fewer breaks.

For online students, accelerated programs offer even more flexibility. Courses are broken into short 6-7 week segments, allowing students to complete one course at a time before moving onto the next. This allows working professionals to juggle work and study without compromising on quality education.

The accelerated format is intensive and not for everyone, but it’s perfect for those looking to finish their degree quickly and re-enter the job market with a competitive edge.

MBA Credit Hours at Liberty University

Liberty University’s MBA program requires 36 credit hours.

Core courses: Strategic Marketing Management, Managerial Finance, Legal Issues in Business, Business Research Methods, Accounting for Decision Making, International Business, Organizational Design & Structure, Global Economic Environment, Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Management, Operations Management, and Policy & Strategy in Global Competition.

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, and up to 50% of credits may be transferred

Credit Hours of the U of M MBA

The University of Michigan (U of M) MBA program requires 57 credit hours to graduate. Participants in the full-time program typically finish in 2 years, while part-time students take between 3 and 4 years, depending on how many credits they enroll in each semester.

The U of M MBA is known for its comprehensive curriculum, which includes leadership development, international business exposure, and hands-on projects.

What Kind of Classes are in an MBA Program?

MBA programs cover a range of essential business topics. Core classes often include finance, marketing, organizational behavior, and strategic management. These subjects build the foundation needed to understand business operations.

Students can tailor their education with electives like entrepreneurship or global business. Programs also incorporate hands-on projects, giving students real-world experience alongside theory.

The goal of the typical MBA curriculum is simple: develop business leaders. MBA graduates leave with sharp analytical skills and the ability to tackle real-world challenges confidently.

Related: What is an MBA?