MBA for working professionals: Which program should I choose?

Earning your MBA is an exciting commitment, but you don't have to do it full-time. Many working professionals successfully balance their jobs with flexible MBA programs that fit their needs and career goals.

Randell Hernandez, the director of admissions at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, shares the benefits of these programs. He says: “Working professional MBA programs are more than just theory; they help you turn classroom knowledge into practical skills for your job and career.”

Evening MBA

An Evening MBA is generally best suited to those looking for more flexibility from their program. The three-year Evening MBA at Foster is the most customizable of the school’s four part-time MBA programs, with around 40% of the credits being electives.

Another key advantage of Evening MBA programs are that students can continue working full-time and advancing their career. Evening MBA students can effectively apply what they learn in class at work the next day, explains Randell.

Evening MBA students often begin to see a return on their investment before they even receive their diploma, he adds.

Approximately 75% of Foster Evening MBA students change careers before graduation; many receive promotions, transition to new companies, or even pivot their career paths entirely. 

Hybrid MBA

The Foster Hybrid MBA is 21 months long and is ideal for students who want to learn online from anywhere in the US. It’s also an excellent fit for people who want to earn an MBA without taking time off work.

Around 95% of the Hybrid MBA is online, with 5% set aside for in-person 'Foster Together' immersions. These immersions are 4-5 days of in-person networking and learning at the start of each quarter, followed by live online classes.

In the Hybrid MBA program, students can access one-on-one career coaches, professional development training, and networking opportunities. Notably, nearly 75% of Hybrid MBA students report changing jobs before graduation. 

Technology Management MBA

The Foster Technology Management MBA is for students who want to become technology leaders, however, students don’t require any technology experience to succeed in this 18-month program. While about half of the students have engineering or computer science degrees, others come from various backgrounds such as business and consulting.  

This specialized program is located in the Seattle area, which is ideal for studying technology management. The city is a major tech hub, with Microsoft, Amazon, Expedia, and T-Mobile all based here.

Like other MBA programs for working professionals, the main benefit of the Technology Management MBA is the chance to immediately apply what you have learned in school to your job.

“I still find myself leaning on the frameworks we learned in class when I think about decision-making on the job and for all the customers I work with,” says Lukas Ng, a program graduate who went on to found an award-winning agricultural startup.

Executive MBA

The Foster Executive MBA attracts students with an average of 15 years of work experience. It takes 21 months to complete, and an international immersion is required at the start of year two.

"The Executive MBA caters to a diverse range of industries, reflecting Seattle's broader business landscape beyond just technology," says Randell.

During the first year of the Executive MBA, students focus on essentials such as accounting, management, economics, statistics, and team building. In the second year, the emphasis shifts to leadership, strategy, and the entrepreneurship capstone. 

Unlike specialized programs, Executive MBAs attract students from a wide range of professions. Marian Chia-Ming Liu, for instance, came from a background in journalism and joined The Washington Post after earning a Foster Executive MBA.

“Pursuing the MBA helped me to approach new projects at The Post with a business perspective, ensuring that we’re delivering what readers want and tapping into new opportunities,” she explains. “I focus on reaching different audiences and how to get our stories and content in front of more people, extending the power of journalism.”