Fast Track MBA

An accelerated MBA program is a condensed, intensive degree plan that offers an MBA education in one year, rather than the usual two years.

- John Pereira

In an accelerated online MBA program, students view lectures, complete course work and participate in discussions through Internet platforms, as they would in any online MBA program. However, an accelerated online MBA program will entail more advanced work at a very fast pace. Accelerated MBA programs, which usually take about 10 to 15 months to complete, have been growing in popularity in recent years.

The popularity of accelerated online MBA programs can be attributed to the fact that these one-year degrees save students both time and money. Students are becoming less willing and able to spend two years out of the workforce, and an accelerated MBA program allows them to enhance their job potential without losing valuable time.

According to a survey conducted in part by The Wall Street Journal, 82 percent of students and alumni cited the ability to re-enter the workforce faster as a top factor in choosing a one-year MBA. Additionally, many accelerated online MBA programs cost less than their two-year counterparts. So, the lower cost, plus the fact that students will be able to make money with their degrees sooner, make an accelerated online MBA an excellent option financially.

Various Accelerated Choices

Many schools offer accelerated online MBA programs geared toward individual student goals. The Accelerated MBA for Previous Business Majors allows students with undergraduate business experience to opt out of as many as eight courses of the traditional 18-class MBA program. The business law course is waived, and four elective credits are transferred from the student’s law school degree. This shortens the traditional MBA program by at least five courses, and students are able to graduate after 10 to 13 classes.