How long does it take to get an MBA? While the answer depends on many factors, the average time frame is two years. The exact duration differs by university, type of program, and concentration.

Types of MBA programs

The type of program you choose largely determines how long it will take to earn an MBA. Most universities offer on-campus, online, accelerated, executive, and part-time programs. The variety of options available to aspiring MBA students is evidence that higher education isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you require more flexibility in your coursework and schedule, then you can pursue the same degree as full-time traditional students but in a more convenient format.

If you’re interested in a two-year MBA, you generally have two options: a traditional on-campus program or a remote online program. Either way, the first year of the program will comprise core courses that teach basic business skills. The second year will include elective courses such as finance, accounting, and marketing, that allow you to choose an area of focus. To graduate, you must deliver a final project such as a dissertation, thesis, or capstone that applies what you learned in the program.

If you’re interested in other options, you can deviate from the traditional two-year structure. An accelerated MBA condenses what is typically a two-year program to one or one-and-a-half years. If you require a less demanding schedule, a part-time MBA allows you a longer time frame for completion, usually three to five years. Executive MBA programs typically take one-and-a-half to two years to finish and involve more advanced coursework since it’s assumed that these students already have considerable business experience.

A specialized MBA, or a concentration, allows you to focus on a unique area of business. For example, a marketing MBA might not feature information technology (IT) or accounting courses. One advantage of taking an MBA program with a concentration is that it typically involves less coursework — and therefore costs less money. Compared with a general MBA, a specialized MBA takes about a half year less. Common MBA concentrations include entrepreneurship, media management, and IT management. Those who pursue an MBA with a concentration often have a specific job in mind.