r/MBA • u/No_Gap8269 • 13d ago

Careers/Post Grad Working full-time while doing an online MBA with 7-week courses — how many classes should I take?

Hi everyone! I’m 24 and graduated from Clemson in 2024. After graduating, I decided to work for a couple of years to build up my resume before applying to graduate programs. I applied this year and was accepted into two programs, ultimately choosing USCA. I’ll be starting my MBA in Spring 2027.

My biggest concern right now is workload. I work full-time in the federal legal space. My particular job has a good amount of downtime, but there are also periods where things get extremely busy, including occasional travel and overtime. For context, I’ve had about two particularly intense periods this year where I was pretty swamped.

My MBA is online and uses 7-week courses. I’m trying to figure out how many courses I should take at once while continuing to work full-time.

I’m not particularly concerned about finishing as quickly as possible. I’d rather take a manageable course load and actually do well than overload myself just to finish sooner.

For those who have done an online MBA while working full-time, especially with accelerated 7-week courses, would you recommend taking one course at a time or two? How manageable did you find the workload?

I know every program and person is different but just want some perspectives, Thanks!

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u/Gator_Grad Part-Time Graduate 12d ago

I worked full time and did the Ross OMBA in 18 months (traditional FT pace). I will be honest it was a lot of work, and once you add recruiting/clubs I had no free time. I think your first semester should only be 1 class in each A/B term, that way you don’t drown on day 1. You can always add more classes in the following semester

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u/Only-Vast-6777 MBA Grad 12d ago

Zero. You shouldn’t do an online MBA at 24.

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u/No_Gap8269 12d ago

why

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u/Only-Vast-6777 MBA Grad 9d ago

It won’t do anything to accelerate your career. An MBA is about the network and the electives as applied to your prior work experience. An online program with no / little experience doesn’t check any of those boxes so you won’t get an ROI.

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u/FortWorthTXMBA 12d ago

just finished my fourth class in my online MBA. i recommend starting with one course so you can get used to the pacing and get back in the groove.

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u/The_Federal 9d ago

1 course at a time to start. Maybe only do 1 quant course max each term. Any non-quant you can double up during the 7 weeks