Earning a graduate degree in business is one of the best ways for working adults to increase their earning potential, improve job security, and expand their opportunities for career advancement. But for many, committing to going back to school at a traditional university – for what could be several years – is just not an option.
Luckily, alternative, high-quality, affordable graduate schooling options exist that will make going back to school easier for working adults. Western Governors University, which is nonprofit, accredited and fully online, offers students a flexible and accelerated pathway to earning an MBA on their schedule.
Western Governors University - Kaz's Story
WGU offers three specific, one-year MBA programs: IT management, healthcare management and a traditional MBA program option. Each program requires students to master competencies across 11 courses geared directly toward a student’s applicable career, placing emphasis on learning real-world skills. Although the program is accelerated, students get the same industry-focused coursework they need to advance their careers as they would if they were using a traditional education approach.
WGU’s competency-based approach to learning in an online format, which measures learning and comprehension instead of time spent in a classroom, enables students to use their prior experience, training and education to move quickly through material they already know so they can graduate faster and at lower cost. Students fit school into their busy lifestyles by studying, completing coursework and taking tests on their own schedules.
WGU is also affordable, offering flat-rate tuition for an MBA of $4,530 per six-month term, which allows students to take as many classes as they can each term without any added fees. That means students can finish their MBA in only 12 months for just $9,060. This accelerated online MBA program features:
- A course plan, which will include the length of each course and a session schedule. A Program Mentor, assigned to each student, reviews weekly goals to ensure students remain on track to complete their degree in one year or less. MBA students can expect a featured plan that will help them complete their coursework in a timely manner for this accelerated MBA.
- Available live sessions, led by subject matter expert Course Instructors, that are focused on course content, industry-demanded skills, and assessment tips to help students learn and meet their goals as part of their accelerated MBA.
- Live interaction with an assigned Program Mentor to help students transition to accelerated competency-based learning; set goals for school, work and life balance; and be there to discuss other pertinent topics that will support students in making consistent progress toward completing their MBA degree.
- A variety of support services to help students realize their educational and career vision, including Writing and Math Center support as-needed, career center assistance with achieving career goals, the option to participate in business school student clubs and organizations, and alumni services to help make crucial networking connections.
WGU’s fully online, one-year MBA degree program, focused on equipping students with the skills and credentials they need to gain respect and value in the business world, can be a difference-maker for those who want to advance their careers. Learn more at wgu.edu/1yearMBA.
