How to Get an MBA: What It Takes to Earn This Advanced Degree

Earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) can have a notable positive impact on your career. One survey of mostly US-based corporate recruiters estimates that MBA graduates can earn a median starting salary of $120,000, compared to $69,320 for people with bachelor’s degrees [1].

The potential benefits of earning an MBA are strong, but this advanced business degree requires dedication and determination in order to graduate. Here’s what it takes to get your MBA.

How to get an MBA

An MBA typically takes around two years to earn if you're available to attend full-time. It will take longer if you are able to attend part-time. Once you have applied and been admitted to a program, you can expect to fulfill a minimum number of college credits and to complete either a capstone project or a thesis. Some programs also expect you to enroll in an internship. Let's review the more common steps involved with getting an MBA.

Interested in an MBA but not sure about the application process? Learn more about MBA admissions requirements.

Complete core course requirements

While each program typically has different credit requirements, you can expect an MBA to take between 48 and 60 credits to complete. A portion of those credits will come from your core coursework, where you'll advance your foundational knowledge of key business areas, such as:

• Management

• Strategic communications

• Business analytics

• Economics

• Business ethics

• Finance

• Marketing

• Operations

Full-time vs. part-time MBA

When you enroll in an MBA program as a full-time student, you'll generally be expected to take at least 12 credits per semester. A part-time student, on the other hand, is expected to take between six and nine credits per semester. Learn more about the different types of MBAs and which one may be best for you.

Complete MBA elective courses

After taking the expected number of core courses—usually around 18 credits, depending on the program—the remainder of your credits will typically be in your MBA concentration. This allows you to build more specialized and often complementary business knowledge to deepen your expertise.

MBA concentrations are focused areas of study. Many programs offer concentrations (also referred to as majors or specializations), though not all require a formal major selection. Examples of some MBA concentrations include:

• Accounting

• Business analytics

• Finance

• Operations

• Strategy

• Supply chain management

• Sustainability

Engage in an internship.

MBA internships, typically required in full-time programs but optional in part-time ones, provide students with hands-on business experience and often serve as a bridge to post-graduation employment. These paid internships usually take place during the summer between the first and second year of the program, allowing students to apply classroom learning in real-world settings while building professional networks and potentially securing future job offers.

Finish a capstone project or thesis.

An MBA capstone project or thesis typically serves as the final requirement of the program, where students apply their accumulated business knowledge to solve a real-world business problem or develop a comprehensive business plan.

This project often involves working with actual companies or organizations, conducting in-depth research and analysis, and presenting strategic recommendations to faculty and sometimes business executives, demonstrating your readiness to take on high-level business challenges in your career.

Fulfill programmatic or administrative requirements.

Alongside all academic requirements, many graduate business schools expect you to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, though that number can be higher for more prestigious institutions, meet attendance policies, and complete your degree within the allowed timeframe (generally two to five years).

Some programs may have additional requirements. It's important to request information from each program you're interested in attending so you understand what's involved in successfully completing your MBA.

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