| College | Location |
|---|---|
| Florida Institute of Technology | Florida |
| Stanford University | California |
| University of Notre Dame | Indiana |
| Georgetown University | Washington DC |
| McGill University | Quebec, Canada |
| Rutgers University | New Jersey |
| University of Minnesota | Minnesota |
| Loyola University, Chicago | Illlinois |
| University of St. Thomas | Minnesota |
| University of Buffalo | New York |
Grueling. Topics current and applicable to business. Jam-packed weeks. Expert presenters. These are just a few of the words former students use to describe Mini MBA programs. Though challenging and not without critics, it looks like this alternative business program is here to stay as the benefits seem to far outweigh the drawbacks. For starters, this professional credential does not lead to a degree. However, most Mini MBA holders say that the program boosted their confidence, knowledge, opportunities and resumes while allowing them the flexibility to continue working full-time and manage other commitments.
According to Florida Tech, “students who possess business basics and a specialization may decide it’s necessary to bridge gaps in their knowledge in order to become more versatile and better prepared for advancement. Others will want to bolster their credentials and differentiate themselves from their colleagues by adding to their resume or they might be looking to test the water and determine whether they want to pursue a traditional MBA. Still others, such as career-changers and jobseekers, “may find that a Mini MBA makes them more marketable by allowing them to develop proficiency across all functional areas of business.” Mini MBA programs are also popular among both seasoned and budding entrepreneurs.
As mentioned, most Mini MBA programs are very flexible. This is often cited as a major benefit of the program. Some Mini MBA programs consist of a three-day seminar, while others may take a few weeks, a few months or up to a year to complete. Some programs allow students up to two years to finish. Mini MBA programs have managed to compress their curriculum into such a brief period by extracting only the finest points of the larger program. However, longer programs are more popular among students, and employers find them more desirable. The “Mini MBA For-Credit Graduate Certificate,” programs are in even higher demand.
Regardless of length, all Mini MBA programs lead to a certificate. Some of these programs are very expensive, while others are quite affordable. The most expensive programs are often offered by top colleges and universities and on-campus programs are often more expensive than online programs, so choosing an online or hybrid program could save you some money.
Overall, however, the investment in a Mini MBA is dramatically less than a full-scale MBA program.
The following are a few schools that offer Mini MBA programs and how much they cost:
Florida Tech: Mini MBA For Credit Graduate Certificate, As Few As Eight Months
Cost: $10,752/$896 PCH (program is 12 credit hours), 100% Online
Stanford Graduate School of Business: Summer Institute for General Management (SIGM), Four Weeks
Cost: $10,750, On-Campus
University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business: Executive Certificate in Business Administration, 24 Weeks
Cost: $5,995
Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, Center for Continuing & Professional Education (CCPE): Business Administration Certificate, Up to Two Years
Cost: $5,370, On-Campus
McGill Executive Institute: Mini MBA, One Month
Cost: $4,495, On-Campus
Rutgers Business School: Mini MBA Business Essentials, 1 Week Accelerated
Cost: $4,995, On-Campus
University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management: MBA Essentials, Five Days
Cost: $4,200, On-Campus
Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business: Mini MBA Certificate, 10 Weeks
Cost: $3,700, On-Campus
University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business: Mini MBA Certificate, Five Days or One Month
Cost: $2,995, 100% Online (one month) or On-Campus
University of Buffalo, The State University of New York, School of Management: Mini MBA Certificate, 17 modules, Self-Paced
Cost: $995, 100% Online
If you are interested in earning a Mini MBA, contact your school of choice and inquire within. Note that Mini MBAs are often marketed under other program titles, as shown above, and entry is often competitive. Although these programs do not lead to a degree, most require an undergraduate degree (minimum) and some require five or more years of work experience.
Sources
Feuer, Ben. "Educational Consultant Platform." Forster Thomas. Forster Thomas, 05 May 2015. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
Florida Tech, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
McGill Executive Institute, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
"Mini MBA Program: Benefits of Taking the Mini MBA Program." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2009. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
Rutgers Business School, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
Stanford Graduate School of Business, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
University of Buffalo The State University of New York School of Management, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
