Professional MBA Curriculum

The Professional MBA program is structured to accommodate the demanding schedules of busy professionals, allowing them to maintain a balance between their professional and personal lives. 

The program schedule is strategically crafted to enhance your learning experience so you can complete your degree in two years on your time while also developing a strong community with your classmates. 

Program Outline

The program is made up of: 

  • Four on-campus immersion weekends a year

  • Asynchronous weeks during which you can define your schedule 

  • Synchronous weeks during which can collaborate real-time with professors and other students from your home or office

  • One global immersion experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the schedule structured to have on campus weekends, synchronous weeks, and asynchronous weeks?

Many students in this program are busy working professionals for whom having a predictable and structured schedule is crucial prior to committing. The schedule for each entering class is provided well in advance of each admission cycle, ensuring informed decisions.

Each delivery modality contributes to an enriched student experience. The two in-person weekends per semester offer intensive face-to-face learning opportunities, as well as networking and community-building. These weekends are followed by asynchronous weeks, enabling students to balance coursework with other responsibilities. Synchronous online sessions in all other weeks facilitate full engagement with peers and faculty without the need to be on campus.

As the Professional MBA is a cohort-based program, all students adhere to the same modality at any given time, ensuring consistency and maximizing the strengths of each approach. This multimodal design not only fosters innovative learning experiences with interactive technologies but also maintains scheduling flexibility, facilitating the involvement of external partners and speakers through remote access.

Can I specialize my degree?

Students can choose four from six focus areas to specialize their degrees:

  • Financial Analytics
  • Global Management
  • Innovation Design
  • Sustainable Organizations
  • Data Analytics
  • Strategic Leadership
What is the Harvard CORe?

Students will take Harvard’s asynchronous Certificate of Readiness (CORe) which is made up of three modules: Business Analytics, Economics for Managers and Financial Accounting. The CORe provides a shared business foundation with the cohort. Students can take these foundational courses before enrolling at Bentley, which allows them to hit the ground running during the two years. The CORe program is included in their cost of attendance. 

Students can choose from the following Spring 2025 dates (depending on when they apply/are admitted): 

  • February 4 (17-week program) 

  • March 25 (17-week program) 

  • May 20 (10-week program) 

Does the MBA have themes?

Yes, the MBA is focused on Organizational Sustainability and Emerging Technologies, which are woven throughout all coursework. 

Organizational Sustainability: Organizational sustainability means a business or institution can thrive long-term while minimizing harm to the environment, society, and economy. It involves strategic practices balancing profit with social and environmental responsibility. Such organizations integrate ethical governance, social equity, and ecological consciousness into their operations, aiming to meet current needs without compromising future generations. 

Emerging Technologies: Emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, machine learning, robotics, AR/VR,  surveillance technologies and more will transform all businesses. Graduates of the program will learn how to use these technologies to improve their organizations and drive innovation while considering sustainable solutions that best interest their employees, consumers and the planet. 

Integrating organizational sustainability and emerging technologies into the program's curriculum is crucial for preparing graduates to navigate today's complex business world. By understanding sustainability principles, they can drive ethical and profitable practices, while familiarity with emerging technologies enables them to innovate and stay competitive. This holistic approach equips MBA graduates to tackle diverse challenges and lead responsibly.