A masterās of business administration (MBA) is a highly-respected and sought-after degree for students trying to advance in their careers. MBAs can open many doors in the future, partially because their difficulty proves the sheer tenacity of their graduates.
If youāre ready to earn an MBA degree, some programs can be completed in 14 to 16 months with rigorous work and practical training.1 But, if you still have some prerequisites to take care of, it could be longer.Ā
This guide outlines how to get an MBA at different stages of life. Whether youāre pursuing your undergraduate or already in the workforce, obtaining an MBA is possibleāyou simply need to know the steps to start your journey.
#1 Fulfill Basic Educational Requirements
What is a masterās of business administration? An MBA is a graduate degree. Hence, you generally need to complete your undergraduate to be accepted into an MBA program.Ā
If youāre already pursuing a degree, continue studying and putting in hard workāthis is your foundation for reaching your masterās. Generally, universities donāt require you to obtain a bachelorās in any specific subject to pursue an MBA. So, if youāre not registered in business school, thatās okayāyouāre not disqualified.
In fact, most MBA students didnāt study a related field for their undergraduate degree. According to the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), more than half of MBA candidates come from disciplines such as:2
- The Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Whatever field youāre currently studying or planning to pursue, rest assured that MBA opportunities will likely be available upon graduation. Do keep in mind, however, that entry prerequisites can vary by degree and school. While you donāt necessarily require a business degree to pursue an MBA, you may need:3
- A solid overall cumulative GPA
- An accredited degree, either regionally or nationally
- Certain course prerequisites, depending on the nature of the program
Depending on where you plan to attend school, consider taking the Graduate Management Assessment Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Both of these exams are popular prerequisites for graduate school, and the GMAT is critical as a qualifier for many MBA programs.4,5
#2 Gain Life and Work Experience
The Harvard Business Review and Princeton Review note an ongoing problem amongst graduate school applicants. Many arenāt enrolling in MBAs because they believe their employment history isnāt important or relevant enough for acceptance.6,7
To clear the record, many MBA programs donāt require any work experience for acceptance. They may require recommendations, but these can come from professors, community leaders, and other professionals.8
That said, while itās possible to enter your MBA right from your undergraduate, itās not the status quo. Most candidates have several years of experience before entering a program. Whatever your next step is, consider pursuing your MBA in San Diego, Americaās Finest City, at the California School of Management and Leadership (CSML) at 911³Ō¹Ļ International University.Ā
#3 Secure FundingĀ
Once accepted, students must secure the proper funds to pay for school and lifestyle expenses. Thankfully, there are ways to make graduate degrees more affordable. To reduce your financial burden as you study, consider:
- Less intensive programs ā The reduced in-person demands of part-time and executive-style MBA programs allow students to work as they pursue their degree. Some may even offer paid curricular practical training (CPT) as part of the program.9
- Scholarships ā $100 million in scholarship money goes unclaimed in America annually.10 Before reaching into your pocket or taking out a loan to pay for graduate school, seek these abundant grants and apply for as many as possible. Scholarships may be awarded based on economic status, area, and other factors, so be sure to search thoroughly for those applicable to you.Ā
- Company sponsorship ā Getting an MBA not only enriches your knowledge but may make your employer see you as a more valuable asset. Some companies may be willing to pay for part or all of their employeesā graduate degrees in exchange for sticking with them for a few years upon graduation.11
Take the Next Step Toward Your MBA with 911³Ō¹Ļ International University
Whether youāre just completing your undergraduate or have been in the workplace for decades, 911³Ō¹Ļ International University welcomes you to apply for our exciting, robust MBA program.Ā
The 911³Ō¹Ļ MBA track makes balancing your career and education simple by offering classes on weekday eveningsāor as seldom as once a month in our executive program. Furthermore, your current work can count towards the programsā necessary CPT hours. So, even if you have intensive workplace demands, you can fit your educational goals into your schedule.Ā
Our graduate programs in business are also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The ACBSP ensures accredited schools align with their robust and rigorous educational standards. Thus, the 911³Ō¹Ļās MBA program can help adequately prepare MBA students for a future in a variety of fields.Ā
If youāre ready to move forward toward your educational goals, contact our admissions office to see how 911³Ō¹Ļ can be a fitting next step on your MBA journey.
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- āMasterās Degree in Business Administration Overview.ā 911³Ō¹Ļ International University. Accessed April 17, 2023. /business/business-administration/mba.
- āEnrolling the Incoming Class of 2021: Insights into the Diverse Journeys of Prospective Students Applying to Business Schools.ā Graduate Management Admissions Council. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.gmac.com/-/media/files/gmac/research/prospective-student-data/2022_gmac_prospective_students_survey_deans_summary.pdf.Ā
- āGraduate Admissions.ā 911³Ō¹Ļ International University. Accessed April 16, 2023. /admissions/graduate.
- āGRE.ā Educational Testing Service. Accessed April 18, 2023. https://www.ets.org/gre.html.Ā
- āAbout the GMATā¢ Exam.ā Graduate Management Admission Council. Accessed April 18, 2023. https://www.gmac.com/gmat-other-assessments/about-the-gmat-exam.Ā
- ā10 Smart Mba Stats to Know before You Apply.ā The Princeton Review. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.princetonreview.com/business-school-advice/mba-facts-and-statistics
- āThinking about an Mba? Here’s How to Plan for It.ā Harvard Business Review, October 11, 2021. https://hbr.org/2021/08/thinking-about-an-mba-heres-how-to-plan-for-it.
- āGraduate Admissions.ā 911³Ō¹Ļ International University. Accessed April 16, 2023. /admissions/graduate.
- Ā āMasterās in Business Administration Evening and Weekday Track Overview.ā 911³Ō¹Ļ International University. Accessed April 14, 2023. /business/business-administration/mba/evening-weekday.
- Perna, Mark C. ā$100 Million in Scholarship Money Goes Unclaimed Every Year. Does It Have to?ā Forbes. Forbes Magazine, November 9, 2022. https://www.forbes.com/sites/markcperna/2021/11/01/100-million-in-scholarship-money-goes-unclaimed-every-year-does-it-have-to/?sh=495906613b6f.Ā
- Ā āHow to Pay for an MBA? Business School Financing Tips.ā Sallie Mae. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.salliemae.com/student-loans/graduate-school-information/ways-to-pay-for-graduate-school/paying-for-an-mba/.Ā
The content of this page is only for informational purposes and is not intended, expressly or by implication, as a guarantee of employment or salary, which vary based on many factors including but not limited to education, credentials, and experience. 911³Ō¹Ļ International University explicitly makes no representations or guarantees about the accuracy of the information provided by any prospective employer or any other website. Salary information available on the internet may not reflect the typical experience of 911³Ō¹Ļ graduates. 911³Ō¹Ļ does not guarantee that any graduate will be placed with a particular employer or in any specific employment position.