We won’t say it’s easy to get an MBA while working full-time and raising a family as one of working moms – but, it’s doable. There has been a 75 percent increase in working women getting MBA degrees in the past 10 years, the U.S. Department of Education reports.
If you’re thinking about joining them, it’s time to explore your options. An MBA opens the door to better career opportunities, more money and greater respect in your field, so if you’re ready to take the plunge, here’s what’s available to you.
Weekend-Only MBA Programs for Working Moms
One type of classroom-style MBA program that is popular with working moms is the weekend-only MBA. You go to a brick-and-mortar school in this type of program, but you only do it on weekends. You can get your MBA fairly quickly this way, typically in about a year. Weekend-only programs allow you the satisfaction of face-to-face time with your professors, in-person interactions with other students and a set class schedule that enables you to work in other activities around it. This is a good option for women with limited free time who prefer to go to class in person.
However, other women have reserved weekends for family time. A weekend program won’t work for them. They need a different choice.
The Nights-Only MBA
Some colleges and universities offer an MBA by going to class at night. Most nights-only programs don’t require you to be in class every night of the week. The typical night-class schedule only puts you in class one to two nights per week.
The San Diego MBA at Alliant University is a typical nights-only MBA program. It follows a cohort program of study, where you take all your core courses first before starting the courses particular to your MBA area of specialization. This is common for most MBA programs.
This type of schedule is ideal for most working moms who prefer a traditional classroom environment. With a nights-only program, you are still available for your family most nights after work and your weekends are free. The only drawback to this type of program may be for working moms with unpredictable schedules that require frequent overtime at work or for those who work a night shift.
The Traditional Full-Time MBA
Some women opt to take a break from work entirely and go to school full-time during the day for their MBA. The traditional MBA program is a good option for women who work from home or have flexible work schedules. This schedule sends you to school at the same time the kids are at school, and it allows you to be home with your kids in the afternoons and on weekends. The biggest drawback is foregoing full-time income for two years; however, your earning potential will be higher upon graduation.
