Top MBA Programs If You Work in Washington DC

With three locations in Washington, D.C., Shady Grove, and Baltimore, the Smith School offers a flexible bricks-and-mortar part-time MBA program. The school also has an online option that is basically the same as the traditional program.

The part-time program at the Smith School places a mandatory emphasis on data analytics, says Shelbi Brookshire, senior director, Working Professionals MBA at the school. “It’s all about preparing future leaders to harness the data in an atmosphere of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity of general conditions),” she says.

Focused around helping future leaders use available data to make better decisions, the program has comparable rigor to the school’s full-time program, while allowing greater flexibility for working professionals. Students have to complete 54 credits in total.

Customization is an important perk, says Brookshire. Students can complete the program in two years or two-and-a-half to three years, but the school prefers students to take no longer than three years. Participants can take electives online, along with a bricks-and-mortar core. In addition, they can attend classes at any of the three locations in D.C., Shady Grove, and Baltimore.

Among the standouts of the program are the high-quality professors, most of whom are among the top 10 percent to 15 percent of research faculty, says Brookshire. Also, students can take advantage of career coaches and the suite of available resources, as well as its network that boasts 66,000 alumni, with more than 32,000 are in the D.C. metro area.

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Students enrolled in the Professional MBA at GWSB can complete the program in two to five years on campus or online, in a cohort or independently. Students can choose to experience intensive weekend formats or experiential courses that leverage the school’s unique location near the White House, Congress, and State Department and other nearby landmarks.

“The program is highly influenced by our Washington, D.C. location, where the private, public, and NGO sectors meet and interact,” says Jeff Hunter, assistant dean of Graduate Business Administration at GWSB. “Our institutional and professional relationships in the area enable us to provide our on-campus and distance-learning students with opportunities to immerse themselves in class projects, digital course materials, live learning opportunities, and co-curricular experiences.”

Pros of attending the Professional MBA include a program advisor for each student, as well as access to all services and events at the School of Business and full access to the career team.

One aspect that separates the program from others is the ability to bundle elective courses to earn graduate certificates. Students can choose from one of 24 for-credit graduate certificate programs or enroll in one of six professional development certificate programs from a research center or institute at GWSB.

Another standout is the ability to participate in a short-term study abroad trip for up to six academic credits. The program, says Hunter, matches the academic rigor of the traditional MBA. It best serves, he adds, those who desire career growth and professional development and have ambitious future goals.

An online MBA program is what Kogod offers those working full time and studying. It is self-paced by the student, offering built-in flexibility. Most students complete the program in 24 months by taking two courses per term. Courses are 10 weeks each, and feature asynchronous and synchronous class attendance via Zoom.

“Many Kogod students are full-time working professionals,” says Maureen Breslin, assistant dean for Online Programs at Kogod. “Our live sessions occur in the evening and can be taken from anywhere with an internet connection. We also support students with access to one-on-one tutoring. Students in the online program also have access to our Office of Career Engagement and can book one-on-one appointments with our career staff.”

One of the other value-adds is a small class size of under 20, says Breslin. In addition, faculty are a mix of full-time professors and adjuncts with experience in industry. Two in-person immersions lasting three to four days help students connect more with their classmates and campus. Immersion highlights include site visits to companies, speakers, and projects for building teamwork and communication skills.

With the Bridge to Business option, applicants coming to Kogod with a non-business undergraduate degree can apply to get a formal business education with additional support for the transition.

“At Kogod, we believe business is a force for meaningful change and American University prepares changemakers for a changing world,” says Breslin. “As such, we are interested in supporting students who are making an impact.”

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