Here’s a short break down of the format for each of the top MBA Programs in Washington, D.C.*

George Mason University

George Mason University School of Management offers a top quality MBA education at an affordable price. One of less than 10% of AACSB accredited business schools accredited in business and accounting, Mason’s MBA program has small class sizes and a cohort structure to optimize learning. The 48 credit hour program can be completed in as little as 18 months (traditional Mason MBA full-time program), which is within the timeframe for active military assigned to attend graduate school. Part-time MBA students can finish the coursework in as few as 23 months.
The Mason MBA degree prepares the next generation of world leaders through a rigorous, stimulating business and management curriculum based on an international perspective (required 7-10 day global residency) including a rich appreciation for other cultures and points-of-view.

Georgetown University

The accredited, rigorous, three-year program is specifically designed to support working professionals by providing the opportunity to earn a graduate business degree on a part-time basis while accelerating their careers. At Georgetown, business ethics is required. The 60 credits program in completed in a cohort structure. Students must complete a course titled Global Business Experience as part of their program where they complete consulting projects for international organizations in a number of locations, on various project topics.

George Washington University

The GW Global MBA (full-time) is comprised of 57 credit hours and divided into four modules with a summer in between.  Students can complete this degree is 16-21 months. Students attend classes in a cohort. As part of the Global MBA curriculum, all first-year students participate in one of several Consulting Abroad Projects (CAPs) in emerging markets such as Ghana, Brazil, Vietnam, Serbia and Turkey. The part-time MBA is not in a cohort and students can schedule classes as their schedule permits. The part-time MBA program takes 2-5 years to complete.

American University
The full-time MBA program (54 credits) takes 21 months to complete (4 semesters). Classes are offered in the day and evening. The part-time Professional MBA is designed for working professionals seeking to advance their career and takes 27 months to complete. Classes are offered year-round, one evening per week. The Professional MBA is a 48-credit hour program completed as a cohort. Students take one course at a time. Students also take part in week-long study abroad trip during their second year.

Howard University
Howard’s 54 credit MBA program provides a customizable learning experience to suit career aspirations, while leveraging the resources of a program that offers personal focus in and out of the classroom and a tight-knit community of peers from around the world. A final capstone course is offered for the MBA in Finance. Students who enroll in the part-time program may opt to participate in the accelerated part-time program, which requires completion in 3 rather than 4 years.

Not only is it important to consider items such as GMAT scores and GPAs, but it is very important to consider other distinctive elements when researching top MBA programs in Washington, D.C., such as international residency programs that offer you an unique first-hand global experience, or a diverse student body that allows you to learn business practices and customs from your peers. Program length is an important item to consider as the sooner you complete your program, the sooner you can begin advancing your career. The format of the MBA program you choose will make the difference in your learning and future career success.
*Data obtained from U.S. News & World Report and individual university websites.

The Washington, D.C., region is growing each day, offering our MBA students more opportunities to join a wide range of organizations from global corporations to nonprofits, government agencies to government contractors, and technology corporations to health services.

According to a variety of estimates from CBS, NPR, MSNBC, and CNN, about 80% of jobs get filled before ever being formally listed as available. This means the age old saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know” still holds true. Job placement is in large part focused on networking—and a business school must help students build their network and search for jobs.

For those considering top ranked MBA programs in Washington, D.C., one of the most important items to consider is one that is often overlooked: career services. Many times students are only learning about the resources available to them through career services towards the end of their program, when they are getting ready to graduate. But this is a big mistake. Students should take advantage of all career and networking opportunities throughout their degree program.

Here’s a short break down of the career services for each of the top ranked MBA programs in Washington, D.C.*

George Mason University
George Mason University’s career services department has deep connections with a wide network of global companies, regional startups, and government agencies. Our career consultants connect students with a diverse group of organizations including AT&T, Booz Allen Hamilton, the CIA, Northrop Grumman, Capital One, and Microsoft. These connections ensure you have an opportunity to network and interact frequently with potential employers.

Our dedicated career consultants take an active role in your professional advancement, providing tailored consultations to help you develop a road map to meet your professional development goals. The George Mason MBA program provides individual services such as mock interviews and résumé evaluations, hosts recruiters for employment and networking opportunities, and provides numerous online resources to help you take advantage of your degree once you graduate. All School of Management alumni retain access to our career services staff that can assist you throughout your professional career. Our network of more than 25,000 business alumni span the globe and include Fortune 500 CFOs, nonprofit executives, U.S. government leadership, and entrepreneurs.

Salary:
Average base salary: $89,434
Full-time graduates employed at graduation: 66.6%

Georgetown University
Students can access customized career services from the MBA Career Center year-round. Breaks in the fall and spring term provide opportunities for Career Weeks. During this time off from class, students focus on professional development and explore career opportunities. Alumni of the McDonough School of Business include Michael Chasen, president, CEO, and cofounder of Blackboard, Inc.; Timothy Tassopoulos, senior vice president of operations at fast food restaurant chain Chick-fil-A; and Stephanie Olson, general counsel for Fifth Avenue Financial.

 Salary
Average base salary: $99,799
Full-time graduates employed at graduation:  67.9%
George Washington University
The F. David Fowler Career Center is committed to assisting students with resources and strategies for putting their education to work. The center offers tools such as self-assessment, market research, experiential learning, strategic career planning and execution. Graduates from George Washington University’s School of Business will join an alumni network that includes Gen. Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Carolyn Schwab-Pomerantz, president of the Charles Schwab Foundation; George Wellde, former partner and vice chairman of Goldman Sachs; and Olympian Michelle D. Knox-Zaloom, who competed in women’s rowing in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympic Games.

Salary
Average base salary: $84,208
Full-time graduates employed at graduation:  55.7%

American University
Students have access to career management workshops throughout the Professional MBA program. Career management advisors are also available for on-campus appointments during the day, evening, or by phone.

Salary:
Average base salary: $68,540
Full-time graduates employed at graduation: 44.7%

Howard University
Business students and alumni at Howard can make the most of their academics by visiting the Center for Professional Development, which assists them in interviewing, networking, and finding jobs. After graduating, students can join the Howard School of Business Alumni Network of nearly 7,000 graduates, which helps former students reconnect and raise money for scholarships.

Salary:
Average base salary: $92,455
Full-time graduates employed at graduation: 54.8%

Choosing an MBA program takes a great deal of research and consideration. Students must weigh location, curriculum, faculty, program structure, and cost, amongst other things. But it is vital to consider the career services that MBA programs offer.

When comparing top ranked MBA programs in Washington, D.C., be sure that the career services offered will meet the level of assistance you need to find the right job for you. A wonderful education and expert experience will never be able to be used without finding the right job to put these skills to work. That’s how the career services at your chosen MBA program will make the difference for your career and your life.

*Data obtained from U.S. News & World Report and individual university websites.

U.S. News and World Report annually ranks all AACSB accredited business schools’ part-time MBA programs based on peer assessment, GMAT average, work experience, % of part-time students, and undergraduate GPA. To put these MBA program rankings in perspective, there are more than 13,000 schools worldwide that offer business programs. U.S. News & World Report considers only the 672 member institutions (AACSB-accredited business schools) in the U.S. for these rankings.

For those considering top ranked MBA programs in Washington, D.C, there are five ranked MBA Programs in the region:

• George Mason University School of Management
• George Washington University School of Business
• Georgetown University McDonough School of Business
  • Howard University School of Business
  • American University Kogod School of Business

Here’s a short overview of the top ranked MBA programs in Washington, D.C:

Georgetown University McDonough School of Business
Ranked #11 Best Part-Time MBA Programs in U.S. News & World Report
Average GMAT: 686; Average GPA: 3.31
Part-time enrollment: 377

60 credits; Tuition Cost: $87,300

The school uses a cohort structure and team-centered practices while following the school’s core values of learning, having a global mindset, integrity, professionalism, and community.

George Washington University School of Business
Ranked #60 Best Part-Time MBA Programs in U.S. News & World Report
Average GMAT: 582; Average GPA: 3.25
Part-time enrollment: 409.

57 credits; Tuition Cost: $80,940
Cohort structure. In addition to traditional business competencies, all MBA programs are infused with ethics, and focuses on sustainability, social responsibility and corporate citizenship

George Mason University School of Management
Ranked #93 Best Part-Time MBA Programs in U.S. News & World Report
Average GMAT: 612; Average GPA: 3.2
Part-time enrollment: 267

48 credits Tuition Cost: $39,840 (in-state) $71,328 (out-of-state)

Cohort structure. Small class sizes, diverse student body, expert faculty, and a required global residency are staples of the part-time program that can be completed in as few as 23 months. Students have the option of enrolling on the Fairfax or Arlington campuses.

American University Kogod School of Business
Ranked #121 Best Part-Time MBA Programs in U.S. News & World Report
Average GMAT: 575; Average GPA: 3.2
54 credits: Tuition Cost: $68,094

No cohort structure. Offers students an opportunity to integrate business education by combining their study of management with another discipline that will enhance their ability to lead with vision in a rapidly changing global business environment.

Howard University School of Business
Listed But Rank Not Published – Best Part-Time MBA Programs in U.S. News & World Report
54 credits; Tuition Cost: $93,960
To study at Howard University is choosing an institution that is experienced, dynamic, and diverse–with a tradition of quality education. In 2006 by the Princeton Review, as it assessed the MBA program as number one for “Greatest Opportunities for Minority Students.”

Although expanding on your current skill-set may be key to propelling your career forward, many individuals find themselves confronted with multiple dilemmas. Monetary or occupational concerns revolving around college enrollment may dampen your ambitions. You may even find yourself asking, “Is pursuing a higher level of education right for me?” No matter what drawbacks you face during your academic journey, the benefits far outweigh the trials. Listed below are a few vital points we extracted from the above infographic regarding why furthering your education is a wise investment.

Affordability remains a critical complaint when it comes to American colleges. Upon viewing the above infographic, a whopping 75% of Americans surveyed answered ‘No’ when asked if college is affordable. However, a typical college graduate earns an estimated $650,000 over the course of a 40-year work life. Although this information is highly dependent on your field of study, college graduates have the potential to earn quadruple, even quintuple, the amount spent on education within their lifetime.

Career advancement and satisfaction prove to be the average result once the higher education equation is complete. Studies show less than 40% of high school graduates expressed satisfaction with their level of education, while an astounding 90% of MBA graduates were cited as being very satisfied.

To reiterate, no matter what career path you choose, investing your time and money into higher education will always be a wise decision. For more intriguing facts about obtaining a college or graduate school degree, check out the infographic above.

What is AACSB accreditation?
Established in 1916, AACSB is a global, nonprofit membership organization of educational institutions, businesses, and other entities devoted to the advancement of management education. In 1919, AACSB adopted a set of accreditation standards with the primary objective of improving collegiate business education. The organization defines accreditation as “a voluntary, non-governmental process that includes an external review of a school’s ability to provide quality programs.”

AACSB Accreditation & MBA Rankings
Throughout the years, the standards have been continually revised to reflect the ever-changing needs of business and students. Today, the AACSB Accreditation Standards are used as the basis to evaluate a business school’s mission, operations, faculty qualifications and contributions, programs, and other critical areas.

Seen as the gold standard of accreditation bodies for business schools, only AACSB accredited business schools are considered for U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Today, there are 672 member institutions that hold AACSB Accreditation. To put this number in perspective, there are more than 13,000 schools worldwide that offer business programs.

All Accreditation is Not Equal
Many universities may claim to be an accredited school, but it’s important to recognize that all accreditation is not equal. In some countries around the world, a school may be accredited only in their country and that accreditation might not be recognized in another country. This could pose a challenge if a student is studying in one country but plans to work in another. In this case, it’s often a good idea to be sure the accrediting body is internationally recognized.

When a school has AACSB accreditation, it sends a message that it is one of the best business schools in the world—differentiating itself in terms of quality, rigor, and relevance. It takes a strong commitment by a business school to earn and maintain AACSB accreditation.

As a leader in the field of business education, George Mason University’s School of Management is a committed supporter of the AACSB mission and understands the value of AACSB membership as well as participating in AACSB committees and events.

George Mason’s School of Management has been AACSB accredited since 1991 and is one of only 10% of business schools worldwide accredited in both business and accounting.

As a potential MBA student, you must weigh many factors in choosing a business school. Be sure not to overlook an MBA program’s accreditation. Accreditation is what makes a business school stand out among the rest.

Top Books:

• Cracking the GMAT, 2011 Edition (Graduate School Test Preparation)

With an extensive collection of questions covering each GMAT section, two practice tests, and tips for maintaining an organized study plan, Cracking the GMAT is considered a top resource among MBA applicants.

• Kaplan GMAT 800: Advanced Prep for Advanced Students (Kaplan Gmat Advanced)

If you’ve been looking for the most advanced GMAT prep book, the Kaplan GMAT 800: Advanced Prep for Advanced Students is meant for you. This book covers hundreds of the toughest practice questions, difficult concepts, and most revered testing strategies.

• Kaplan New GMAT Premier 2013 with 5 Online Practice Tests (Kaplan Gmat Premier Live)

As an all-in-one guide composed specifically for students seeking test questions ranging from simple to complex, the Kaplan New GMAT Premier 2013 book has been deemed one of the leading study guides of 2013. Contents include prep questions covering multiple test sections, detailed answer explanations, and a thorough section dedicated entirely to Integrated Reasoning strategies/practice questions. Upon purchase, you’ll have access to 5 online practice tests, on top of a free version of the book made iPad compatible.

Top Websites:

• Beat the GMAT

Review study plan suggestions, post your questions, locate online study groups, or delve into various GMAT courses on Beat the GMAT’s extensively adept website.

• Crack GMAT

Crack GMAT provides multiple study tools and courses to help boost your scores. Learn proven testing techniques, how to avoid the most commonly made mistakes, and an assortment of other beneficial strategies covering each test section.

• MBA.com

MBA.com offers a plethora of thorough GMAT courses, copious MBA school facts, and testing advice specifically meant to provide quality results. Download the free GMAT guide and software before you begin prepping for your exam.

Practice multiple mediums of study to determine your preferred method. We hope this list helps effectively increase your GMAT score, and in turn, gain acceptance to the MBA program of your choosing.

Mason’s MBA program offers a set of popular electives that promote leadership skills for our students.  For example, MBA 725 Leadership, examines the critical roles and functions of leadership with a special focus on how leaders influence organizational performance and manage change.  MBA 726 Negotiations is an exercise-based class where theory and practice meet on a weekly basis to improve students’ approaches to negotiation and influence.  When in a leadership position, hiring, firing, managing, and motivating others becomes critical to sustaining a high-performance organization. MBA 713 Managing Human Capital focuses on these topics so students gain confidence implementing strategies to attract, retain, and motivate human capital.

Taking courses on leadership-related topics is not the only way to enhance leadership skills during the MBA program at Mason.  The Mason MBA provides opportunities for students to take on leadership roles.  The MBA Student Association organizes events to enhance the MBA community and to build networking opportunities for students. At Mason we pride ourselves on the cohort structure and rely on student cohort representatives to relay feedback to the program office in the spirit of continuous improvement.  Many MBA students enhance their professional development by seeking assistantships.  Research and teaching assistantships offer close interaction with faculty and opportunities to lead projects and/or class discussions with undergraduate students.

Pursuing a career within the business world during uncertain economic times is risky without the proper qualifications and previous industry experience. Due to these circumstances, mastering the appropriate skill-set for your select career choice is more vital than ever. It’s no surprise that MBA program attendance has reached an all-time high and is expected to continue its upward turn in the foreseeable future.

A 2010 study on national MBA statistics indicates over 150,000 MBA degrees are granted annually from roughly 454 accredited MBA institutions. With varying programs available, nearly 57% of students opted for a part-time class schedule rather than attending a full-time course.

If you are considering entering an MBA program, locating a business school containing the classes you require to advance within your career field is step one. For example, simply typing Virginia Business Schools or Virginia MBA programs into Google’s search engine is a prime example of how to easily locate a school near you.

Familiarize yourself with the programs offered by your school of choice to determine which educational route you intend to pursue.Most business schools offer Traditional, Professional, and Executive MBA programs. Examine courses and schedules carefully prior to submitting your application or scheduling your GMAT.

Possessing an understanding of the enrollment process prior to submitting your application benefits you in the long-run. When applying, bear in mind what GMAT scores your school of choice requires, along with specified documents requested as part of the application process.

As the job market grows, we anticipate an even larger MBA program turn-out in the coming years. If you are interested in expanding your career opportunities with an MBA degree, visit our Admissions page for further details.

By Keegan Cassady, MBA candidate May 2013

As a Virginian myself, there are many things I enjoy about higher education in Virginia.  I attended William and Mary for my undergraduate degree, and George Mason for my business degree.  I liked William and Mary for its distance – just far enough away to be independent, just close enough to do laundry runs – and I enjoy Mason for its proximity.  Half an hour by free shuttle to the Vienna metro, Mason is a cheap hour from Washington DC, and by car, half that.  It is accessible to the entire Northern Virginia area, which makes its proximity to contacts and connections incredibly immediate.

I would love to espouse Virginian values, way of life, culture, driving skills… but really, if you live here, you really cannot beat the discount afforded by our higher education facilities.  As a student paying my way through with student loans and odd jobs, I found this aspect of the program vital.  I also love the environment in which we learn business.  Virginia has a plethora of business opportunities available for any aspiring entrepreneur – from nearby tech giants, to government contracting in all its leviathan forms, to real estate to arts to dining.

Virginia is one of those wonderful states that offers the best of many worlds.  A stone’s throw from urban DC lie the burgeoning mid-rises of suburban Northern Virginia, containing such culturally popping locales as Falls Church and Arlington, with comfortable, quieter locales like Alexandria, Vienna, and McLean.  It’s a great location to be young, and a better place to be with family.  There are diversions of all manner, and opportunities of all stripes.

George Mason itself is located just outside of the great old city of Fairfax, the namesake city of one of the most affluent counties in the United States.  This college boasts that Innovation is Tradition, which of course means that the more things change, the more they stay the same.  The campus is constantly in a state of progression, building new monuments to education and becoming every inch a miniature city with every passing year.  Students young and old flock to this campus.

What really makes Virginia a great place for business is its people:  everyone here wants to work.  Some work for causes, some work for money, some labor for love and some labor to be with the ones they love.  But Virginians are not an idle people.  From Reston to Winchester, from Williamsburg to Mclean, Virginians live and work in a community bolstered by cheer and drive.  Ambition mingles with empathy on a daily basis and encourages the kind of helpful, hearty business that makes up the American legend.

For the place, for the price, for the people, you should really choose a Business School in Virginia, and for that matter, choose George Mason.

One thing that I’ve been reflecting upon since my return from the Mason Global Residency in Brazil is my newfound appreciation for the term “confidence”. This word is oft-used in just about any good MBA program, or at least in any good finance MBA program. Consumer confidence, investor confidence, confidence in the markets; the list of expressions with the term “confidence” goes on and on. As an undergraduate economics major, it always struck me how important such a fickle, intangible concept was to our overall economic growth. Yet the immense power that confidence wields on economic growth was never so apparent to me than in Brazil. It is just in the past decade or so that Brazil has emerged as a true world economic power, and it is no surprise that this emergence coincides with the first time in Brazil’s long history where its citizens actually have reason to be confident, even optimistic, about their future. After a century of political upheaval and instability, rampant inflation, sky-high interest rates, and rollercoaster exchanges rates, we learned two very interesting facts about Brazil. The first is that the rich generally keep about half their wealth outside of Brazil to protect themselves from what used to be the common occurrence of the value of their money vanishing overnight due to one of the aforementioned causes. The second is that those who are not wealthy (the majority of Brazilians) do a great job of avoiding paying any taxes by doing the majority of their business under the table. Both of these phenomenons are directly related to a lack of confidence in the political and legal institutions in Brazil and both have had a huge drag on the economy over the years. Imagine if Brazil’s wealthy kept 100% of their wealth in-country and suddenly doubled their domestic investment. Imagine if most Brazilians started paying taxes and the Brazilian government suddenly doubled their tax revenues. Imagine the combined impact on internal infrastructure and education – two of the domestic obstacles that have prevented Brazil from growing even faster and might represent a ceiling for Brazil’s economic climb.

For the longest time, Brazilians had no reason to be confident. Political stability was only a fantasy. But in the 21^st century things appear to be different, and the dramatic lack of confidence that Brazilians have had in their own country is now starting to change. While remaining cautious, Brazilians have reason to believe, especially after surviving the recent global financial collapse relatively unscathed, that they have turned the page. There have witnessed their government manage successive democratic presidential elections while keeping inflation and interest rates in check for over a decade. And with that newfound confidence, we see huge growth and huge potential for the first time in modern Brazil’s history. Compare that to the situations in the U.S., where political gridlock has shaken Americans’ confidence in their politicians’ ability to do what is right for the country; and in Europe, where the common currency is on the brink of collapse and there is a very real possibility of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union. In these classic Western economic powerhouses, economic growth is stagnant and even declining. A little bit of confidence goes a long way, and for once, Brazil is winning the confidence battle.