A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree offers curriculum in advanced business and leadership concepts that may sometimes be challenging. You can expect this master’s degree to cover areas such as management, finance and business strategizing. Although each student’s experience with an MBA program will be unique, you might find certain areas of coursework to be more difficult than others.

Although MBA programs can be challenging, they can offer many potential benefits for business professionals. With an MBA, a graduate may be able to position themselves for potential career growth and new opportunities across many sectors and industries of management-related career paths, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.^{(See disclaimer 1)} With all the potential that this degree can bring, you may be wondering, just how hard is an MBA online?

Each student’s experience with the program's academic difficulty will vary depending on their strengths. In general, some aspects of the coursework may be challenging. For example, students who do not enjoy math may have more trouble with accounting and finance topics.

An MBA can also be challenging in terms of time management. Professionals may work on an MBA degree on a part-time basis while continuing to work full time. It can be challenging to juggle the demands of school and work, although an online learning format may make the degree program more accessible and flexible. This is one factor to consider if you’re choosing between an online MBA vs. MBA with in-person classes.

One challenge those looking to pursue their MBA might face is the transition back to the classroom, whether online or in person. MBA students are often established professionals who have been working in their field for some time and are interested in positioning themselves to potentially grow their careers. Going back to school after time has passed can be a significant challenge.

You will need to write academic papers, think theoretically and generally adapt to being a student again. You will also need to relearn the good habits that got you through your undergraduate program. For example, you will need to set aside time to study and complete your assignments.

An MBA program typically includes classes in topics such as managerial accounting, economics, organizational leadership and management strategies. Depending on your career responsibilities, experience and academic strengths, you may find that the assignments and reading for some classes are more challenging than others.

For some students, class discussions are the easy part of an MBA program. Others have trouble with this aspect, perhaps because they are a bit less extroverted or feel less confident with the topic of discussion. However, it’s important to try to contribute to the discussion in every class — even if you’re taking an online MBA program. If you aren’t quite sure how to contribute to the discussion, you may find it’s easier to focus on asking questions.

Graduate education allows the adult learner to leverage years of work experience and integrate it into their educational experience. Put your class conversations in the context of your work expertise. It will help bring the material to life and ease the process of answering the asynchronous discussion questions.

Acceptance into an MBA program will vary considerably based on factors that are unique to you, such as your undergraduate GPA and scores on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Acceptance is also based on the university's selectivity.

At GCU, we’ve streamlined the admission process, accepting either a GPA of 2.8 or higher or test scores. Test scores are not required for acceptance, but if GPA requirements are not met, we consider candidates with a GMAT score of 500 or higher or a GRE score of 1,000 combined verbal and quantitative (prior to August 2011) or a GRE combined score of 300 or higher (after August 2011). These admission requirements are subject to change, so we advise checking our admissions page or reaching out to a university counselor for the most current information.

There is no difference in terms of curriculum or academic difficulty between an online MBA vs. MBA program on campus. At GCU, our online students work through the same curriculum as our on-campus students. Our online students also have access to discussion boards and technical support.

The specific curriculum can vary, depending on the school and program you choose. If you’re taking a concentration in business analytics, for example, you can expect some coursework in that area.

In general, however, you can expect to study topics such as:

• Organizational leadership, including leadership styles and ethical decision-making skills
• Management of the marketing function within an organization
• Operations management in service and product manufacturing environments
• Managerial accounting practices for internal reporting

In the time ahead of your enrollment date, you should start adopting the mindset and habits of a student. Step up the volume of material you read daily. Focus on business journals and books relating to your industry or profession. Get into the habit of taking notes about what you’re reading. All these activities can help you transition into the mindset of a student.

Stepping up your reading and writing efforts before entering the MBA program may help you cope with a heavier workload. However, you might still find yourself suddenly swamped with work. It can feel overwhelming at first, but there are strategies for adjusting to your new schedule.

First, unless you’re planning to be a full-time MBA student, you should consider only taking one class at a time initially. If you find that you can easily handle the workload of one course, then you might consider adding a second, which may require approval from your university.

If you do take more than one class at a time, try to balance the academic focus and requirements. For instance, take one class that requires a great deal of reading and writing and another class that focuses more on mathematics, such as accounting.

You will also need to set new priorities for your time in school. Consider what you need to make time for and what can fall off your schedule for the time being. Be sure to prioritize what matters most to you while still scheduling ample time for your studies and assignments.

It is important to establish a disciplined routine regarding your coursework. For example, develop a consistent schedule each week, such as by participating in discussion forums on specific days and doing your class reading on other days.

An MBA can be challenging, but you may find the journey worthwhile, as challenging coursework may foster personal growth while teaching professional skills. Additionally, you may find that earning an MBA can help you position yourself for potential career growth or enable you to transition into a new career pathway altogether.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Earning an MBA can also enable you to expand your professional network. The connections you make in school can create new opportunities for you years down the road, so don’t be shy about speaking up and introducing yourself to others.

At GCU’s Colangelo College of Business, you can choose from numerous MBA concentrations to support your career goals and interests. Study business topics in areas such as accounting, business analytics, Christian leadership or health systems management. Take coursework online while growing your professional network.