Overview
The Chicago Booth Weekend MBA Program is designed for working professionals who want to earn a world-class MBA without putting their careers on hold. With classes concentrated on Fridays and Saturdays in downtown Chicago, students follow the same rigorous curriculum taught across Booth’s MBA programs while maintaining their professional commitments.
Chicago Booth Weekend MBA at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | Weekend MBA |
| Format | Part-Time |
| Average Completion Time | 2.5–3 Years |
| Maximum Completion Time | 8 Years |
| Required Courses | 20 |
| Courses Available | 130+ |
| Concentrations | 16 |
| Student Groups | 40+ |
| Student-Life Events | 300+ per year |
| Location | Gleacher Center, Downtown Chicago |
Why Choose the Chicago Booth Weekend MBA?
The programme is built around flexibility. Students can continue working while completing their MBA and can tailor their course schedule to their professional and personal commitments. The programme takes an average of 2.5 to 3 years to complete, while students have up to eight years to finish the degree.
- Career-friendly format: Continue working while earning an MBA.
- Flexible curriculum: Choose from more than 130 courses.
- 16 concentrations: Build expertise around your career goals.
- World-class faculty: Weekend students learn from the same faculty teaching Booth’s other MBA programmes.
- Strong community: Participate in 40+ student groups and 300+ student-life events each year.
- National reach: 77% of Weekend MBA students travel to Chicago from outside Illinois.
Chicago Booth Weekend MBA Schedule
Classes are concentrated around the weekend, making the programme particularly suitable for professionals who cannot attend a traditional weekday MBA. Classes are held at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.
| Day | Class Schedule |
|---|---|
| Friday | 6:00–9:00 p.m. |
| Saturday Morning | 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. |
| Saturday Afternoon | 1:30–4:30 p.m. |
Each class meets once per week, and some courses are offered online. Students may also take daytime classes at Booth’s Harper Center in Hyde Park when their schedules permit.
Chicago Booth Weekend MBA Curriculum
Weekend MBA students follow the same rigorous academic curriculum offered across Booth’s MBA programmes. Students complete 20 required courses and can choose from more than 130 courses to shape their education around their interests and career objectives.
The programme also includes Leadership Exploration and Development (LEAD), giving students an opportunity to develop leadership capabilities alongside their core business education.
Chicago Booth MBA Concentrations
Students can choose from 16 concentrations, allowing them to develop focused expertise while pursuing the broader MBA curriculum. Available areas include:
- Accounting
- Analytic Finance
- Behavioral Science
- Business Analytics
- Econometrics and Statistics
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- General Management
- International Business
- Marketing Management
- Operations Management
- Strategic Management
Weekend MBA Student Experience
The Weekend MBA is designed to create a strong community despite its part-time structure. Students can participate in 40+ student groups and more than 300 student-life events each year, creating opportunities to network, collaborate, and build relationships beyond the classroom.
Chicago Booth Weekend MBA Career Opportunities
The Weekend MBA is designed for professionals who want to advance in their current organization or make a career change while continuing to work. Students also have access to Booth’s Career Services and the broader Booth network throughout the programme.
Because students remain employed while completing the MBA, they can apply concepts from the classroom directly to their current roles while building the knowledge and network needed for their next career move.
Chicago Booth Weekend MBA Community
The Weekend MBA provides a collaborative student experience even though students are balancing the programme with full-time careers. Students can participate in 40+ student groups and more than 300 student-life events each year.
The programme also attracts professionals from across the United States. According to Booth, 77% of Weekend MBA students travel to Chicago from outside Illinois, making the programme particularly suited to professionals willing to commute for an intensive weekend learning experience.
Weekend MBA for Out-of-State Students
Students commuting to Chicago receive additional support to make the weekend format easier to manage. Booth provides free Saturday shuttle service to and from Midway and O’Hare airports, discounted rates at nearby downtown hotels, and Saturday access to Career Services, academic advisors, faculty, and student events.
Most out-of-town students arrive Saturday morning, attend their classes, and have time to study, network, and socialize before returning home.
How Flexible Is the Chicago Booth Weekend MBA?
The programme is designed to accommodate working professionals. Students take an average of two courses per quarter, with each class meeting once a week. Some courses are available online, and students can take up to 25% of their courses remotely.
Students can also take daytime courses at the Harper Center in Hyde Park when their schedules allow, giving them additional flexibility beyond the standard weekend schedule.
Chicago Booth Weekend MBA: Pros & Considerations
| Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Continue working while earning the MBA. | Requires consistent time management alongside a full-time career. |
| 130+ courses and 16 concentrations. | Regular travel may be necessary for students outside Chicago. |
| Same rigorous curriculum and faculty as Booth’s other MBA programmes. | Weekend attendance requires a significant time commitment. |
| Average completion time of 2.5–3 years. | Students should plan carefully around work and personal commitments. |
| Strong student community and networking opportunities. | Living or traveling to Chicago adds logistical and accommodation costs. |
Who Should Choose the Chicago Booth Weekend MBA?
The programme is particularly suitable for professionals who:
- Want to earn an MBA without leaving their current job.
- Prefer weekend classes over weekday evening classes.
- Want a highly flexible and customizable MBA curriculum.
- Are willing to travel to Chicago regularly for classes.
- Want to advance in their current career or pursue a career change.
- Value access to Booth’s academic, professional, and alumni network.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Chicago Booth Weekend MBA take?
Students typically complete the programme in 2.5 to 3 years, although they have up to eight years to complete the degree.
How often are Weekend MBA classes held?
Classes meet once per week. Saturday classes are offered from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., while Friday evening classes run from 6 to 9 p.m..
Can I take Chicago Booth Weekend MBA classes online?
Yes. Some courses are offered online, and students can take up to 25% of their courses remotely.
Where are Weekend MBA classes held?
Weekend MBA classes are held at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago. Students may also take daytime classes at the Harper Center in Hyde Park when their schedules permit.
Is the Weekend MBA suitable for students outside Chicago?
Yes. The programme is specifically designed to accommodate commuters, and Booth reports that 77% of Weekend MBA students travel from outside Illinois.
Final Verdict
The Chicago Booth Weekend MBA is an excellent option for working professionals who want the academic rigor and flexibility of a Booth MBA without taking a career break. With 130+ courses, 16 concentrations, flexible scheduling, remote-course options, strong student organizations, and access to Career Services, the programme gives professionals considerable control over how they build their MBA experience.
Its biggest advantage is simple: you can keep working while earning a highly flexible MBA and immediately apply what you learn to your career. For professionals who can manage the weekend commitment and, when necessary, travel to Chicago, the Weekend MBA offers a compelling path for career advancement or change.
