Tepper School of Business
FlexTime FAQs
1. May I visit the Tepper School of Business?
2. When are classes held?
3. How many units are required to earn the MBA? How long does it take?
4. Are there any prerequisites?
5. Is the MBA Tracks option available to FlexTime students?
6. Can I switch to the full-time MBA program?
7. Carnegie Mellon has a reputation for being a tough program to get into and difficult for those who do get admitted. How tough is it?
8. My employer requires that I occasionally travel on business. How does this affect my participation in the program?
9. What career opportunities are available to FlexTime MBA students?
10. Is the FlexTime MBA any different from the full-time MBA degree at Tepper?
11. When and how can I apply?
12. Who can I contact for answers to my specific questions or concerns about the FlexTime program and its admissions process?
1. May I visit the Tepper School of Business? Visitors are always welcome! As a prospective student, we encourage you to explore our program, campus environment and student lifestyle. Class visits, tours, meetings with students and a weekly information session are available Mondays through Thursdays – morning or afternoons – when classes are in session. If you are interested in visiting a class in the evening, arrangements can be made to accommodate your request.
Flextime Info Sessions, specifically designed to provide information on our part-time program, will be held at the Tepper School of Business throughout the year. Our Upcoming Info Sessions are:
Wednesday October 7th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Saturday November 7thth from 10 am - 12 pm
Saturday December 5th from 10am-12pm
Saturday January 16th from 10am - 12pm
Saturday February 6th from 10am - 12pm
Wednesday March 17th from 5:30-7:30pm
Saturday April 10th from 10am-12pm
Saturday May 8th from 10am - 12pm
Sign up for an Info Session online via our Upcoming Events calendar simply by searching by the date you wish to attend or email Carol Basciotta, our visit coordinator at mba-admissions@andrew.cmu.edu. Our Wednesday evening Info Sessions are designed to be a convenient way to see both an Info Session and a class visit all at once!
2. When are classes held? Classes meet year-round, with FlexTime students taking two classes at a time. In the first year, core FlexTime classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6 to 10pm. Once you begin taking electives, classes will be held one evening per week, Mondays through Thursdays. You may also take daytime sections of MBA classes, as long as space is available and your work schedule permits you to do so.
3. How many units are required to earn the MBA? How long does it take? Most Tepper MBA classes are 6 units (1 mini course). All MBA degree candidates must complete a required core curriculum of 102 units (17 mini-courses), plus 90 units of electives (15 mini-courses) for a total of 192 units (32 mini-courses). At the normal pace of two classes per mini semester (4 per semester), students complete the program in 32 months. Many students take extra classes throughout the three years and complete the program earlier than the normal schedule. All students must complete their degree requirements within 48 months.
4. Are there any prerequisites? MBA applicants must hold the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate a strong aptitude for mathematics. Entering MBA students must have completed one semester of college calculus and either statistics, calculus II or linear algebra before matriculating. Candidates who do not meet the math requirements may be admitted with the provision that they complete the necessary math courses before joining the FlexTime program. We offer a Quantitative Skills Review Program (QSRP) for students who have studied calculus but would like a review before classes begin.
5. Is the MBA Tracks option available to FlexTime students? Currently, FlexTime students have the opportunity to take the General Management Track that includes 12 concentration areas. If you are interested in pursuing other Tepper MBA Tracks your work schedule must be flexible enough to allow you to take classes during the day.
6. Can I switch to the full-time MBA program? After completing 48 units of coursework in the FlexTime program – and remaining in good academic standing – FlexTime students may be eligible to switch to the full-time MBA program. The recommended time for students to transfer is at the beginning of a semester (August or January). The student must consult their academic advisor if interested in this process.
Some students pursue this option in order to participate in a summer internship during their second year. If you are interested in pursuing an internship before your second year, you should instead consider applying to the full time program.
7. Carnegie Mellon has a reputation for being a tough program to get into and difficult for those who do get admitted. How tough is it? There’s no doubt that our admissions process is competitive and our program is rigorous – all the best schools are that way. If you believe that Tepper offers what you’re looking for, we encourage you to submit an application. (You can’t get in if you don’t apply!) If you’re admitted, you’ll receive the support necessary to be successful. Among these services are: pre-MBA programs that review the math included in the core curriculum; convenient staff office hours for FlexTime students; tutors and recitation sessions; and career services. Plus, the Graduate Business Association has a peer mentorship program in which you can partner with another FlexTime student who has completed coursework that is new to you.
8. My employer requires that I occasionally travel on business. How does this affect my participation in the program? You are required to attend classes, but we understand that your work commitments may require you to occasionally miss a class. Your classmates are a good resource for obtaining notes, and faculty will often provide ways for you to complete assignments while traveling. If you find yourself missing too many classes, you may take a leave of absence from the program until your work/travel schedule permits your regular participation in classes.
9. What career opportunities are available to FlexTime MBA students? Our Career Opportunities Center (COC) provides a full range of services in support of Tepper MBA students seeking new full-time employment are earning their MBA. Corporations recruit Tepper MBAs for a variety of industries and functional areas and our COC helps you through this process. COC Orientation for FlexTime students is in the winter/spring of your second year. However, COC is available for appointments or drop-ins during their office hours: Monday - Thursday 8am - 7pm and Friday 8am - 5pm. FlexTime MBA students may participate fully in the recruiting process, although students sponsored by their employer must obtain written permission from the employer before participating in the recruiting process.
10. Is the FlexTime MBA any different from the full-time MBA degree at Tepper? The Tepper School of Business prides itself on the fact that our FlexTime MBA program is the same exact program as our full-time MBA program. It is not a condensed or watered-down version of the full-time program, as it mirrors its full-time counterpart in that the entry/exit requirements, faculty, course content and exams are the same as what is offered to our full time class. In fact, it is one of the only programs in the nation to offer a fully unified part-time and full-time MBA.
11. When and how can I apply? Our goal is to male the application process for the MBA program as convenient as we possibly can by applying via our online system. We have several application deadlines with corresponding reply dates for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Application Submitted: Decision Notification:
October 26, 2009 December 21, 2009
January 4, 2010 March 15, 2010
March 8, 2010 May 3, 2010
April 26, 2010 June 4, 2010
June 1, 2009* Rolling
* Summer deadline is only for FlexTime and FlexMode applicants.
12. Who can I contact for answers to my specific questions or concerns about the FlexTime program and its admissions process? You can contact Tepper’s MBA Admissions Office or get in touch with any of our Admissions Directors who are more than happy to help you throughout this exciting process!
