What is a Mini MBA? (Benefits and how it compares to a full MBA)

A mini MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a short, often inexpensive certificate option for business students and professionals to pursue if they’re unsure about committing to a full MBA programme. These accelerated programmes often help people by providing additional skills and knowledge to students who have earned their bachelor’s degree and professionals hoping to expand their business knowledge.

In this article, we discuss what a mini MBA is, the benefits of participating in the programme and the differences and similarities between it and a full MBA programme.

A mini MBA is an offering that provides an overview of everything you might learn in a full MBA programme in a short period of time. This often takes what you might learn throughout a full graduate programme and transforms it into 40 hours of learning. Some programmes offer these 40 hours in a one-week programme or fewer hours over several weeks.

What are the benefits of pursuing a mini MBA?

There are several key benefits to earning a mini MBA:

• Exploring key concepts: While earning a mini MBA, you learn about many advanced topics including business, finance, economics and accounting. This can help you decide if you want to pursue further education, like a full MBA program.
• Becoming certified quickly: With many programs, you can complete the necessary coursework within a week. As completing this program comes with an accredited certification, this can be a quick way to earn a business certification.
• Earning credentials for your resume: You can include your certification on your resume to showcase your commitment to continued education. Including your mini MBA on a resume can help hiring managers to notice you over individuals with only bachelor’s degrees or less.
• Improving earning potential: As with many advanced education degrees or certifications, a mini MBA certification may increase your ability to earn higher wages.
• Earning college credits: Many colleges allow you to use your mini MBA for credits if you decide to pursue a full-time MBA. This can help you save on costs and time if you decide to earn an official master’s degree.

Mini MBA vs. full-time MBA

There are several ways that both programmes compare and contrast:

Length

One of the clearest distinctions between the two programmes is their lengths. Full MBA programmes can take two years or more depending on the programme you select and how many modules you take per semester. Mini MBA programmes can take as little as one week to complete. Many mini MBA programmes might also offer 4- or 12-week programmes where they spread the 40-hour lessons across a longer time period. This can help if you’re working a full-time job or have additional responsibilities.

Credentials

When you complete a mini MBA programme, you often receive a certificate of completion. Consider reviewing different programmes to ensure they’re accredited universities so you can earn the official MBA certificate. When completing an MBA programme, you receive a master’s degree in business administration. Many leadership jobs in business and finance include this as a qualification on the job description.

Specialisations

Both full MBA and mini MBA programmes can offer various specialisations. These specialisations can help you focus on a specific area in business, such as management or marketing. Full MBA programmes at various schools may offer more specialisations than mini MBA programmes, as they might have additional resources and instructors. Full MBA programmes may offer a specialisation such as finance and accounting, marketing, business strategies, business operations, entrepreneurship or consulting. Mini MBA programmes might offer similar specialisations in marketing, business essentials, business leadership or data analytics.

Cost

Many universities charge students for each class/module credit they need. Full MBA programmess often require between 43-55 credits to fulfill the requirements, which can sometimes be costly. Price can also depend on if it’s a private or prestigious university. Mini MBA programmes are often more inexpensive than this, as they charge for a shorter program and certificate. This often enormous price difference may also be because of the credentials earned after completing the respective programmes.

Subject matter

The subject matter between the two programs might be similar, as they both could provide information about business ethics, organisational behavior and management, or a unique combination of different business categories. Full MBA programmes will explore more detailed topics, case studies and observations while mini MBA programmes may just provide general overviews on each topic.

Employment opportunities

Both programmes can help when looking for jobs. It can be more common to see MBA as a required degree for positions in business management, consulting, finance and related careers, especially in mid- or senior-level leadership roles. Employers may not seek employees with mini MBA certificates, though including this on your resume can help you get entry-level jobs as you often earn this after your bachelor’s degree. Having this certificate can show employers that you’re interested in learning more about the field and that you’re actively exploring furthering your education.

Optimal candidates

The ideal candidate for a mini MBA programme can be a person who recently graduated from their undergrad programme with a business degree. They may choose this option to understand if a full MBA degree is right for them. Current managers or business professionals might pursue a mini MBA while they work their current jobs as a quick way to develop their skills and knowledge about business. Ideal candidates for MBA positions can also be recent graduates, but they’re willing to commit to the full degree in pursuit of a particular career. Entry-level business professionals may also pursue night or online MBA degrees to help them get promoted in their current roles or companies.

Requirements

For most programmes, the requirements are similar for mini MBAs and full MBA programs. Both often require a bachelor’s degree in business, finance or a related field. Depending on the school, you may also need to have a minimum GPA and provide other documents like references, transcripts and interest letters. Consider reviewing the program requirements specific to each as they could vary between schools/universities.

Availability

More schools might offer full MBA programmes than mini MBA programmes. Mini MBA programmes are generally newer options being offer, often digitally to former students and business professionals. For both programmes, you might have the opportunity to study in other countries, as several locations around the world offer both. If studying internationally, it can help to review the institution’s accreditations so you can receive the certificate where you hope to work.

Author: Indeed Editorial Team. Updated June 25, 2022.