This is the best year to get your MBA

Getting a master’s degree is a major commitment of time, energy, and money, so returning to school — even if you’re thinking about a part-time program that allows you to keep working — is one of the biggest decisions of your career.

Having an MBA tells potential employers, those in your network, and those in your organization that you have the fundamental business knowledge to apply yourself and excel in any setting. With a new year comes new possibilities, and 2022 is the perfect time to start your MBA program at ASU and propel your career. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council’s 2021 Corporate Recruiters Survey, 91% of recruiters planned to hire MBAs last year, and the Wall Street Journal reports that “MBA starting salaries are soaring.”

Whether you’re looking to return to school full time or need the flexibility of a part-time or online program, you can find your fit at MBA Preview Day, presented by the W. P. Carey School of Business at ASU on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Preview Day will introduce you to every W. P. Carey MBA option — all ranked in the top 30 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. In fact, 31 W. P. Carey programs and disciplines are ranked in the top 25 by U.S. News — the most of any business school in the country.

The MBA you choose should reflect where you are in your career. The full-time MBA is the most traditional format: Students return to school for classes every weekday, but because of summer internships and connections to hiring companies, the full-time format is a critical springboard for career success, very often in a new field. Last year, 97% of Full-time MBA students at ASU had accepted offers within six months of graduation.

Part-time MBA programs are essential for those with busy careers who don’t want to leave their current role. Like many other part-time programs, the W. P. Carey Evening MBA at ASU is designed to fit around work schedules, with classes two nights a week for a little under two years. The program is currently ranked No. 22 in the country by U.S. News, 11th among public universities, and 6th among all business schools in the West.

Online programs are also built for working professionals, only without any expectation of on-campus learning. Typically, programs like the W. P. Carey Online MBA allow you to complete coursework on your schedule within the duration of each course. Launching its program in 2004, ASU was one of the first universities to offer a fully online MBA. The program has placed in the top 10 in each of the nine years U.S. News has released rankings.

For senior leaders with significant experience, an executive MBA program might be the best option. Classes meet on the weekends and an emphasis is placed on building a student’s existing strengths around an advanced core curriculum.

MBA Preview Day will be held on the ASU Tempe campus, Wednesday, Jan. 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. With application deadlines approaching in the spring, this is a great opportunity to get application tips, meet future classmates, hear from award-winning ASU faculty, explore your financial aid options, and find the program that’s right for you. Sign up at mbapreviewday.com.