The BC MBA

Our practice is to evaluate every admitted part-time MBA student for a merit based scholarship. In addition to scholarships, our team evaluates every admitted part-time MBA candidate for advanced standing credit—a potential savings of time and tuition expense. Eligible candidates may qualify for a waiver of up to five MBA courses (for a maximum of 15 credits), based upon prior coursework and/or professional certifications (e.g. CPA, CFA). This translates to potential tuition savings of up to $31,830 (based on 2023-2024 tuition rates).

Part-time MBA students may also apply for federally-funded financial aid. Learn more by visiting the Office of Student Services website.

Course Waiver Policy

Incoming students must declare their intent to pursue the STEM-designated track when they fill out their enrollment form and pay their enrollment deposit.

Important Note: If the STEM track is not selected upon enrollment, students will not be able to switch to it at a later time. Again, although students may opt out later, they will not be able to opt into the track after submitting their enrollment form and deposit.

View sample list of STEM-designated electives

Boston College does not sponsor the F-1 student visa for part-time students. International students who wish to pursue their graduate degree on a part-time basis must be sponsored otherwise. If you require a student visa, then you are only eligible to apply to full-time programs.

No. The STEM-designated track is only available for Full-Time MBA students. 

Applicants are evaluated on a number of criteria, including transcripts, test scores, essays, recommendations, and employment history. While work experience is not required, we recommend that you have at least two years of professional work experience before entering the full-time MBA program; the average work experience in recent classes has been four and a half years. Only a small number of applicants are accepted directly out of college. To learn more about our current students’ qualifications, view the class profile.

For information about the MBA program for military students, view the Information for U.S. Military Veterans page.

No. Since total required credit hours remain the same, tuition is not affected.

No. The 57-credit hour requirement to graduate remains for all full-time MBA students, including those completing the STEM-designated track.

Yes, our full-time MBA students bring a wealth of diverse experiences from a variety of ethnic, national, personal, and professional backgrounds. This diversity contributes to a rich cultural and global perspective that influences teamwork and classroom discussions. To learn more, view the class profile.

Full-time MBA applicants go through the regular application process. In the application, applicants will have the opportunity to indicate their interest in the STEM-Designated track within the application. It is non-binding, and will not positively or negatively impact the Committee’s review of the application. Additionally, applicants may also address their interest in pursuing the STEM-designated track in their application essays.

Admitted applicants will be able to confirm their intention to pursue the STEM-designated track when they submit their enrollment forms. Important Note: If the STEM track is not selected upon enrollment, students will not be able to switch to it at a later time.

Under current federal policy, international students (e.g., those on F-1 student visas) are eligible for a total of 12 months of OPT per degree level (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.). Students in STEM-designated majors, programs, or tracks may be eligible for an additional 24-month extension if certain conditions are met. Additional details are available through the Office of International Students & Scholars.  

The average time is three to four years, and most students take two courses each semester. Our program, however, provides the opportunity to complete their degrees in as little as two years.

View a sample degree road map and get a better understanding of which classes you would take to complete your degree over the course of two, three, and four years.

Yes, as long as you successfully complete the requirements for the MBA, you will still be able to earn an MBA without the STEM track designation.

The Boston College full-time MBA program is a cross-functional degree with a strong emphasis on teamwork and a global perspective. Because our MBA students enter the program with an average of four years of work experience in a range of career fields, they are able to make immediate contributions to the organizations where they are employed in a wide range of industries. For more information about where our graduates work, view our placement data.

The STEM designation was approved by Boston College in Fall 2022. At this time, the STEM-designated track is only available to full-time MBA students, beginning with the class that entered in Fall 2022.

No, the STEM-designated track is one degree. Students pursuing the track are, however, eligible to complete the MBA/MSF dual degree. Students interested in the dual degree should consult with Graduate Admissions for details on the combined program curriculums.

Students can drop the STEM-designated track at any time; however, once you opt out, you will not be able to opt back in.

A STEM-designated MBA curriculum reflects the increasing quantitative focus of  skills needed by today’s businesses. Increasingly, companies have come to rely on technology and analytics, across all functional areas. The curriculum of our STEM-designated track has a strong emphasis on Statistics, Data-driven Decision Theory, Information Technology, Data Security, Data Visualization, Artificial Intelligence, Programming, and Optimization, present throughout the core curriculum as well as electives.

Although this designation is valuable, it may not align with your career goals. The STEM curriculum places a heavy emphasis on the use of math, science, and technology in business. Some career paths require other skill sets which might not qualify you for a STEM-designated degree. If you are unsure we encourage you to consult with your academic and career advisors.

As with all of our graduate management programs, the Graduate Student Services Office will ensure a student is registered in courses that meet graduation requirements, but we cannot guarantee a student’s choice of electives.