Among flexible MBA programs, for example, the survey found that 82 percent saw increased application volume—about the same as traditional full-time programs. In contrast, though, only 62 percent of part-time self-paced MBA programs and just 58 percent of part-time lockstep programs saw increases. The average number of applications per program for part-time MBAs remained essentially unchanged (+1%).

A possible explanation for a lack of jump in applications comes from analysts for the Applications Trends survey. They observed that “during economic crises or even uncertainty, employers are likely to cut their education assistance programs. This means that candidates may need to bear all expenses pursuing education part-time, which is becoming increasingly difficult as the cost of living continues to elevate.”

Those two factors were precisely at play this fall at the Franklin W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. Even though inquiry volume has been strong, application volume for Babson’s part-time, self-paced evening MBA program was down about 18 percent this fall. Enrollment volume was down about 14 percent. “A lot of that was driven by fears about the economy,” says Dennis Nations, director of the college’s MBA admissions. “People decided either that I need to focus so much on my job so that I don’t lose it that I can’t afford to divert attention to MBA studies, or they said that my employer has already cut out tuition reimbursement and may not give me the opportunity to take the time.”
 
On the other hand, application volume for Babson’s “Fast Track” MBA, a cohort-based part-time program targeted to senior-level managers, has been steadily strong. At the main campus, “we are really looking for the right applicants, not so much the highest volume,” Nations says, for the program that is usually fully subscribed. “What we did see this year was that our applications came in earlier than last year—in our critical recruiting period of July and early August, we were anywhere from 10 to 20 percent ahead of last year’s pace. That helped us evaluate and make decisions earlier, receive commitments to the program earlier, and actually reach a situation where ‘the class is full,’” Nations says. At the program’s other site, in Portland, Oregon, application volume has increased some 6 to 8 percent, Nations reports. Again, earlier applications there helped the school manage enrollment successfully.

At the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University, applicant quality is up for a popular part-time program, while application numbers are flat. Average GMAT scores for MSU’s Weekend MBA—a lockstep, cohort-based part-time program that takes 17 months to complete—were up 13 points this fall, while applications were up only slightly, reports Kathleen A. Walsh, director of communications.

Perhaps it’s a function of demographics, but in southern California there’s a different story to tell. Carolyn Hock, director of communications at the A. Gary Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Riverside, says that “in response to the increasing interest we are experiencing,” the school plans to start a new part-time MBA program. Also in the works are an Executive MBA, Master of Accounting and a PhD programs. “We are in a major growth mode,” Hock says.

Similarly, the Indiana University Kelley School of Business reports robust interest in its evening part-time MBA, a cohort-based three-year program modeled after the two-year full-time MBA. “Since Fall 2006, we’ve seen an 85 percent increase in our applications,” reports Philip T. Powell, clinical associate professor of business economics and public policy and chair of the Evening MBA. The evening MBA has seen 31 percent enrollment growth over the last two years. “Part of that is because we have been investing in career services and professional development resources,” Powell says. For example, the school helps part-time students connect with the same recruiters who meet with full-time students and also provides career coaching for part-timers. The Kelley School’s online MBA, Kelley Direct, has also experienced phenomenal growth—from 25 students in 1999 to some 1,500 students now enrolled.

Another societal trend reflected in the GMAC survey concerns women and the MBA. The survey found that fewer than one-third of applications to part-time lockstep MBA programs were submitted by women (mirroring the experience of full-time traditional, full-time accelerated, and EMBA, where proportions of applications from women have remained essentially unchanged in recent years.) However, researchers noted a shift among women toward more flexible, self-paced MBA programs, and MS programs. Notably, for example, applications from women composed nearly two-thirds of the volume for part-time programs offering Master of Accounting degrees.

At Babson College, interest among women in the “Fast Track” MBA has been growing steadily at about 1 percent a year. At the same time, though, enrollment by women in Babson’s traditional full-time two-year MBA program jumped from 29 percent last year to 37 percent this year.

Looking at the GMAC data from a global perspective, the vast majority of applicants to part-time MBA programs were from these programs’ home countries. (This trend parallels that of EMBA programs.) Master in Finance programs appeared to be most internationally diverse, both in applicant citizenship and location.

In terms of diversity, U.S. part-time MBA programs, closely followed by EMBA programs, received the greatest proportion of applications from ethnic minority groups (18 and 17 percent, respectively). In full-time programs, only about one in 10 applicants to full-time MBA (10%) and specialized master’s programs (8%) were Hispanic, Latino, African American, Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, or Alaska Native.