Best MBA for Working Professionals

Purpose-built for people who want to study part-time while they work full-time, these are the best MBA programs for working professionals. All study time can be completed outside of work hours in a fully flexible arrangement. Candidates also benefit from being required to tackle only one subject at a time.

These degrees are fully online and can be completed in 2 years of part-time study. Nearly everyone in your virtual classes will be in the same position as you – holding down a full-time job in Australia while studying for an MBA. These popular and well-tested programs are also exam-free.

MBA Courses for Working Professionals

Flexible and affordable, the online MBA from Southern Cross University is a popular choice with Australian workers. It's open to professionals without a degree, with advanced standing offered to those with a previous university education. Specialisations offered include Accounting, Health Services Management, Information and Knowledge Management, and Managing and Leading People. The program normally spans 24 months. It is ideal for those seeking a straightforward MBA experience that fits around their professional and personal commitments.

The James Cook University MBA Global pemphasises practical, project-based learning and includes no exams. Interwoven with an international business theme, areas of concentration include Data-Driven Decision Making, Organisational Leadership and Management, and Global Perspective and Strategy. Candidates benefit from a flexible online format, allowing completion in 24 months part-time. The program offers 6 start points annually: Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sept, and Oct. Entry requires either a bachelor degree in a related field or 4 years of management experience.

RMIT University offers an online MBA designed for busy individuals. This program lets you study one unit at a time. Each unit lasts for 7 weeks. There are 16 subjects in total, but this is reduced to 12 for those with a bachelor degree or equivalent. The program offers specialisations in Leadership, Design Thinking, Technology and Innovation, and Project Management. It uses an online learning platform that effortlessly connects you to relevant industry content, instructors, and other students. The general focus is on technology and modern management practices.

The UTS Online MBA is organised into twelve 7-week study blocks spread over two years. The program centres on modern technology use in the workplace, offering specialisations in Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Health, Organisational Learning, and Technology Management. There's also a Flex study stream available. It's structured to allow students to concentrate on one subject at a time, ideal for stress-free and steady learning. The program is flexible and offers six intakes per year. It's delivered by the AACSB-accredited UTS Business School, ensuring high-quality education.

Advantages of these Programs

Working while studying for an MBA degree is a challenging balancing act that requires you to be enrolled in the right kind of program. There are good reasons why the best universities for work-friendly MBA programs include Southern Cross University, James Cook University, RMIT and UTS. Here are five reasons why these courses are worth it when you want to maintain full-time employment.

1. Online learning

Online study offers significant advantages for busy professionals. It eliminates the need for campus travel, saving time and reducing logistical issues like parking. This flexibility allows students to access coursework and lectures from any location, accommodating existing commitments.

Online MBA programs also broaden options by removing geographic constraints. The absence of a physical presence requirement enables students to choose programs based on preferred themes, specialisations, cost, or university reputation.

2. Flexible schedule during the week

When you have a job, the ideal MBA should allow you to fit study into whatever times are convenient for you. The course won’t compromise work hours. You’re able to give full effort to any work-related tasks at short notice.

Online programs are able to provide flexible scheduling through methods like recorded lectures, dynamic discussion boards, and digital posting of assignment tasks. Instructors prioritise accommodating the potential for students to be unavailable at times.

Self-paced courses are the best in regard to flexibility because there is no real time dimension to them. You just complete tasks whenever you can. However, self-paced MBAs are rare, mainly because students often struggle to finish the courses. Usually, you’re better off in a structured program with elements such as weekly assignments.

Related: Is an Online MBA Worth It?

3. Part-time study hours

To be suitable for working professionals, an MBA should be part-time. This allows for continued full-time work, preventing the loss of income which is a significant potential cost from earning the degree.

In Australia, the majority of MBA students are now opting for online study. The lastest available enrolment data shows over half (52%) of domestic postgraduate students in Management and Commerce were studying externally, indicative of a preference for online education.

4. Accelerated study mode

An accelerated MBA allows you to study year-round with only brief intervals of, say, one to two weeks at a time. This contrasts to the traditional two-semester system common in many Australian universities, which contains a long summer break.

For working professionals, an accelerated mode offers the advantage of completing the degree 33% faster. This is particularly beneficial as it allows part-time study without significantly extending the completion time. With several study blocks annually, you can tackle one subject at a time and still complete a 12-subject program in 24 months.

5. No exams

A good MBA for working professionals is exam-free. Instead of long tests at the end of each subject, assessment is based on short quizzes, assignments, reports, and projects. This approach avoids the need for intense cramming sessions, which can be challenging for those with job commitments.

Exams are also passé for many mature workers. With age, you increasingly appreciate that excelling at academic tests has limited impact on job performance. You probably hope that exams are behind you. In addition, through professional experience, you develop steady work habits. You become better suited to doing practical tasks such as assignments or projects as opposed to studying for tests.

What About the Executive MBA (EMBA)?

The Executive MBA is designed for professionals with extensive work experience and leadership responsibilities. Unlike traditional MBAs, EMBA programs are structured with flexible schedules, typically offering classes on weekends or evenings. The curriculum may be similar to that of regular MBA programs but with a greater emphasis on leadership, strategy, and decision-making.

Originally, EMBAs were designed for on-campus study by busy executives, primarily offered in major cities. With the advent of flexible online study, some of the EMBA's unique advantages have diminished, though its focus on leadership and perceived prestige remain strong points.

A notable downside of many EMBA programs is their limited availability online, necessitating regular travel for in-person classes. This can be a significant inconvenience compared to the flexibility of studying online from home or work.

Best MBA for Working Professionals

MBA Courses for Working Professionals

SCU Online

James Cook University

RMIT Online

UTS Online