Is an Accelerated Online MBA For You?

By Kymberly Oliver (BA 27) 

If you’re interested in majoring in business but aren’t exactly sure where it could lead, see how it opens doors into career advancement, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Traditionally, most students complete a bachelor’s degree and then complete an MBA later. But what if you could start your master’s program while completing your undergraduate degree? An accelerated program allows you to pursue both degrees at the same time. That means you can earn your MBA sooner (and more affordably) than you might expect. 

If you’re wondering whether an accelerated online MBA program is the right fit for you, keep reading. You might just take the first step into your future. 

What is an Accelerated Online MBA? 

An online master’s degree in business administration (MBA) is a pathway for current and future business professionals to further their education and expand their knowledge. Many undergraduate students choose an accelerated online MBA program because of its advantages in career advancement, higher wages, and a deeper understanding of business.     

Grace’s MBA comprises 39 credit hours and eight-week courses, allowing the average student to complete the program in two years. This program offers advanced business education from a biblical perspective, with intentionally designed courses that emphasize core business concepts. Some of the topics covered in the online MBA program include management, risk assessment, business policy, and legal environments. 

The MBA has a variety of concentrations that can help meet your future goals and match your degree. Some of these concentrations include finance, financial planning, healthcare administration, nonprofit management, and strategic leadership and culture integration. Grace also gives students the opportunity to take part in an orthopedic concentration for the MBA, which allows them to work with companies in The Orthopedic Capital of the World. 

An accelerated online MBA differs from a traditional MBA path in both time and structure. In a conventional pathway, students complete their bachelor’s degree first and then apply separately to a graduate program, adding one to two more years of education. With an accelerated online MBA, eligible students begin taking master’s-level courses while they are undergraduates, allowing them to graduate with both degrees sooner. The accelerated online MBA reduces overall time in school, lowers total tuition costs, and enables students to enter the workforce with an MBA sooner.

Benefits of an Accelerated Online MBA

An accelerated online MBA program allows you to begin your graduate education while you’re completing your undergraduate degree. Instead of extended schooling after graduation, you consolidate your career path and finish more quickly.

Fundamental benefits of an accelerated online MBA include:

• Time savings: Pursue your master’s degree while completing your undergraduate degree. Undergraduate students can begin master’s level courses after completing 72 credit hours in their respective programs. 
• Monetary savings: Undergraduate financial aid can cover master’s courses and reduce tuition costs overall. If you’re wondering what this could look like for you, talk to an admissions counselor at onlineadmissions@grace.edu.
• Earlier entry into the workforce: By earning both degrees at the same time, you can enter the workforce sooner. This allows you to gain experience sooner.
• Leadership development: You can gain valuable experience in strategy, problem-solving, and organizational leadership. These skills can guide you in your management roles later in your career. 
• Broad career opportunities: A master’s degree allows for wider job positions and higher-paying roles more quickly than a bachelor’s degree, as you have more education and experience than an undergraduate. 
• 100% online: The online program gives students the ability to balance education with work or other commitments. With this, master’s students can get their work done while also tackling their work and personal responsibilities. 
• Available for students from multiple backgrounds: An MBA is for more than just traditional business students. Students from fields like healthcare, ministry, or education can also pursue an MBA, though specific foundational courses may be required.

An accelerated MBA is also a great decision for aspiring entrepreneurs. By learning how different organizations operate, make strategic decisions, and adapt to change, you’ll gain the tools needed not only to start a business but also to help it grow and thrive. 

Who is the best fit for an Accelerated Online MBA? 

The accelerated online MBA program is for students who want to grow in entrepreneurship, business leadership, and thrive as visionaries and planners who are dedicated, analytical, and adaptable. 

An MBA is perfect for: 

• Those who aspire to achieve a C-level position, like a chief executive officer. Candidates with an MBA are more favorable to many senior leadership positions and employers. 
• Those who desire to mentor younger professionals in the future. 
• Those seeking more responsibility, strategic planning, or a management position beyond their current profession.
• Those who desire more credibility and expertise in their current profession.
• Those who want to achieve their ambitions and goals while saving money and getting ahead. 

The accelerated online MBA program is perfect for those who want to get ahead and save money while earning their MBA and undergraduate degree simultaneously. 

If you’re curious about Grace’s accelerated online MBA programs, check out our MBA general concentration page or connect with our admissions team at onlineadmissions@grace.edu.