What Is an Accelerated MBA Program and How Does It Work?

Limestone Graduate

An accelerated MBA program allows you to earn Master of Business Administration degree more quickly than you would along a traditional two-year path. Whether you apply previous credits to a new program or earn your MBA along with your bachelor’s degree, there are ways to accelerate the program, put your knowledge to immediate use, and advance your career sooner.

Enter as a Freshman, Leave with an MBA Degree

If you’re fresh out of high school, but already looking to the future, you know that a master’s degree can help you access more opportunities. A 4+1 accelerated master’s program allows you to earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The first four years are dedicated to your undergraduate education, while the fifth year is spent on your master’s degree. To qualify for this track, you need a high GPA and good SAT and ACT scores. But you do not need to be a business major to step on the MBA track. Other majors that may qualify for the accelerated track include healthcare administration, human resources management, sports management, criminal justice, computer science, and mathematics.

Transfer Undergraduate Credits to Your Current School

Another faster path toward an MBA occurs when you transfer qualified credits. You simply transfer the credits you’ve already earned to an accelerated program at your current or another institution; minimum grades and credit amounts will be required. Each school will have different eligibility requirements. There also may be minimum GPA and test scores.  And you may need to provide letters of recommendation or demonstrate experience in your field. Be sure to check with Admissions to determine what you need to apply.

Accelerate Your Accelerated MBA Program

Ready to press the fast forward button? You may be able to earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just three years! If you already have an associate degree, you may be eligible for the 2+1 track. With the three-year track, you transfer your associate degree credits into an accelerated program. Instead of five or even four years, you can earn your bachelor’s and master’s in just three years. Be sure to check with Admissions to make sure your credits will seamlessly transfer.

Benefits of an Accelerated Master’s Program

A master’s degree provides more in-depth instruction, knowledge, networking, and career advancement opportunities than a bachelor’s degree alone will do. And jobs that require master’s degrees for entry-level employment are growing more rapidly than any other group. Getting yours sooner not only means you get to put it to use more quickly; you also save time and tuition. You pay tuition for five years instead of six, or three instead of four. And you enter the workforce and begin to earn your salary sooner. That puts you on an upward trajectory that can last a lifetime.

Regardless of the track you choose, you can gain all the benefits of a shortened timeline. And your program can generally be completed online, saving you the commute to campus and making the entire process more convenient.

Want to fast track your education? contact Limestone University today. We offer several University Accelerated Pathway Programs that can allow you to earn a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in three, four, or five years. Whether you’ve already earned undergraduate degree credits or are a first-time college student, you’ll find a pathway that’s right for you. Click the button to learn more.

University Accelerated Pathway Programs

Explore Limestone’s accelerated pathways to earn both a bachelor's degree and a graduate in 5 years or less!