How long it takes to earn an MBA online
As with most graduate degrees, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is typically a multi-year process. Most students complete their course programs in 2 years or less, although the total will vary significantly depending on whether they attend full-time and how many credits their respective institutions require.
Planning for the time and money commitments of an MBA program
Compared to a Ph.D. (which takes an average of 8 years to complete), M.D./D.O (4 years before residency) and J.D. (3 years), an MBA offers a much shorter completion timeline. Even the lengthiest MBA programs – typically part-time tracks – usually only take 3 years to finish, while full-time MBA students can earn their degrees typically in 2 years.
Full time versus part time
According to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), 53.2 percent of MBA students attended part time for the 2012-2013 school year. These students were more likely than their full-time peers to explore distance learning.
Choosing between full-time and part-time pursuit of an MBA will often come down to how a student chooses to balance their coursework with other responsibilities such as family and career. Part-time is a popular option since a lot of students can usually stay on track for completion while still keeping their day jobs.

Online MBA
What about online MBA programs? U.S. News and World Report found a similar duration to the standard MBA track of 2 years. The MBA also had one of the highest 3-year completion rates – 62.7 percent – of any online graduate programs the publication surveyed.
“Taking courses online has the crucial benefit of greater flexibility.”
Taking courses online has the crucial benefit of greater flexibility when it comes to setting a schedule and accommodating any work-related commitments it might include. Since class materials can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, students can also save time and money that would otherwise be needed to travel to campus.
GMercyU MBA student Lauren Burrell said that what she likes most is “The flexibility the online MBA program gives me to complete my degree!”
MBA with a concentration in transportation leadership
The GMercyU MBA with a concentration in transportation leadership provides a convenient online accelerated format in which courses are taken one at a time in 7-week blocks. The 30-credit program offers a strong foundation in business management, ethical decision-making and finance, along with several specialization options related to public and private transportation finance, leadership and emergency management for organizational efficiency.
At Gwynedd Mercy University, you can earn an MBA with a concentration in transportation leadership on a timeline that fits your schedule. Ultimately, this online degree prepares you for an executive-level position with the specific skills and knowledge you need for success in today’s transportation industry.
Moreover, this degree offers distinct advantages in the nearby Philadelphia area, which is a national transportation hub. Learn more about the degree track by visiting the MBA page and contacting a university admissions counselor for more information.