What is a Flex MBA?: Learn About this Flexible Path for Working Professionals 

An MBA is a valuable credential for individuals in any field who want to prepare for a leadership position or a promotion. Today, flexible MBA programs — also called Flex MBAs — are becoming popular as more professionals look to balance graduate school with work and personal commitments.

This blog post will tell you more about what a Flex MBA is and the advantages of a Flex MBA over traditional in-person or online MBA programs. 

A Flex MBA allows you to combine class formats — in-person, via livestream, or online on your own time (also known as asynchronous) — while other programs require you to commit to one format. 

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council’s Application Trends Survey – 2023 Summary Report, business school applicants are indicating they are interested in flexible study options and business programs are adapting their offerings in response. 

The trends summary stated “most applicants are signaling they are looking to retain the flexibility afforded to them during the pandemic” and that “many candidates now appear to be more interested in flexible study options than program prestige.”

According to the survey summary, more flexible MBA programs such as online, hybrid, evening, and weekend programs, were more likely to report application growth compared to full-time, in-person programs.

The key feature of Flex MBA programs is the ability to schedule the timing and location of your MBA studies around your other commitments. 

There are differences in the structure of Flex MBA programs among different business schools, but in general Flex MBA programs will allow you to combine class formats — in-person, via livestream, or online on your own time.

At Russell Sage College, the Flex MBA program is designed to offer maximum flexibility — you can switch among formats from week to week and are not locked into one format for an entire course or semester. 

Flex MBA courses at Russell Sage College are 15 weeks long. A live class is held for three hours each week, in the evening on Sage’s campus in Albany, New York. MBA students may choose whether to attend that class in person, participate via livestream, or complete the work online at a more convenient time. 

Sage’s Flex MBA is 36 credits and can be completed in three years, part time.

A Flex MBA offers all of the benefits of a traditional MBA like career advancement, but with many more options for scheduling your coursework around your other responsibilities. 

With a Flex MBA like the one at Russell Sage College, you don’t have to commit to any one format for an entire course or an entire semester. You can change from live in-person, to livestream, to online on your own time from week to week. 

For example, maybe you love the energy of an in-person class, but travel a lot for work. You can attend class on campus when you are in town and online when you are on the road — using the asynchronous online version of the class if you have a scheduling conflict during the livestream session.

As with a traditional MBA, flexible MBA programs often allow students to customize their degree, through elective courses or a formal concentration that aligns with their career goals.

Common MBA concentrations include entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, human resources, sustainability and healthcare management.

The diverse backgrounds and expertise among faculty and students in MBA programs create an invigorating environment for building professional relationships and exchanging ideas. 

Just like traditional MBA programs, Flex MBA classes are led by full-time professors with advanced degrees and by experienced business owners, government leaders, and chief officers in financial, healthcare, and technology fields. 

Likewise, Flex MBA students also include government and nonprofit leaders, health care, finance and technology executives, and start-up entrepreneurs and business owners. 

Classes are often a mix of early-to-mid career professionals looking to advance and students coming directly from their bachelor’s program.

Individuals with an MBA are sought for leadership positions in business, government, health care and non-profit organizations.

An MBA curriculum includes advanced classes in finance, marketing, human resources, management information systems, business strategy, and executive decision-making. As you study the many aspects of managing complex organizations, you will learn managerial strategies and skills that you can apply in your current work, right away. 

Employers are often impressed by candidates who demonstrate their ability to complete a graduate degree while working. You can note your Flex MBA program on your resume. It might become a talking point during an interview, giving you an opportunity to explain the personal attributes — like a strong work ethic, time management skills, and accountability — that help you succeed at work and in school. 

The term Flex MBA means different things at different schools. Since there are differences, you’ll want to look at each business school carefully. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a Flex MBA program. 

At Russell Sage, the definition of a Flex MBA is distinct. You can choose on a week-by-week basis if you want to participate in class in person, live online, or online asynchronously. You are only making the choice for a given week, not for the semester. And you don’t have to tell the professor in advance what you are going to do. You just do what is best for you that week. 

Also, most online MBA programs are asynchronous. Russell Sage’s live online option is great if you need the flexibility to take classes from home but want the interaction that comes with a synchronous experience.

Other advantages of a Flex MBA at Russell Sage include competitive tuition (even compared to public universities), an efficient timeline, and an easy application process. 

Sage offers one of the most affordable MBAs in New York’s Capital Region. Plus, if your employer is a member of Sage’s Workforce Development Partnership, you can receive a 10% discount on tuition. 

At 36 credits, working students can efficiently move through Sage’s Flex MBA program, completing it in three years.

Finally, Sage makes it very easy to apply: You do not have to take the GRE or GMAT.
Russell Sage is taking Flex to a whole different level than other institutions! If you’d like to learn more about the Flex MBA at Russell Sage College, reach out to a graduate admission counselor today!