Can you work while earning your master’s degree or MBA?

If you’re considering a master’s degree or MBA, one of your biggest questions is probably whether you can keep working while you’re in school. For many students, the answer is yes. In fact, thousands of professionals earn graduate business degrees every year without putting their careers on hold by choosing programs designed for working professionals.

The flexibility benefits both employees and employers. Many companies encourage graduate education because it helps employees develop leadership, analytical and technical skills they can immediately apply on the job.

Prospective students have more choices than ever, from full-time programs for those who want to immerse themselves in graduate school to part-time and online options that allow them to continue working. Understanding the differences between these formats is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when pursuing a graduate business degree.

What challenges should you expect?

Working full time and going to graduate school is possible, but it isn’t easy. Between classes, assignments, work deadlines and personal responsibilities, graduate school requires a meaningful investment of both time and energy for years.

Instead of waiting until you have free time to study, create a weekly schedule that blocks out dedicated time for coursework. That may mean studying before work, setting aside evenings for reading or protecting a few hours each weekend for assignments. Being realistic about how much time you can commit each week is more important than trying to do everything.

If you have a spouse or children, communication becomes just as important as scheduling. Graduate school may require temporary adjustments to family routines, so having the support of the people around you can make a significant difference. The same is true at work. While not every employer offers tuition assistance or schedule flexibility, many managers are willing to accommodate occasional class commitments.

The good news is that you don’t have to be perfect – you just need a plan. Before enrolling, think honestly about your workload, travel, family obligations and other commitments. Choosing a program format that fits your life, whether full-time, part-time or online, can make balancing work and graduate school much more manageable while helping you stay on track to finish your degree.

The benefits of working while in graduate school

Staying employed can offer advantages that extend well beyond a paycheck. For many students, work and school complement one another and create opportunities to strengthen their academic experience and careers. One of the biggest benefits is the ability to apply what you’re learning immediately. Instead of waiting until after graduation, you can use new concepts, leadership strategies and analytical skills in your current role.

Challenges you encounter at work can also provide valuable context for classroom discussions, making course material feel more practical. Sharing real workplace examples can lead to more meaningful discussions and expose you to how organizations solve similar problems in different ways.

There are financial and career benefits as well. Continuing to work while earning a master’s degree or MBA allows you to keep earning a salary, maintain benefits and, in some cases, take advantage of employer tuition assistance. Remaining in the workforce also helps you avoid a gap in your resume and stay on track for promotions or new opportunities.

Staying employed also means expanding your professional network through graduate school. You’ll strengthen relationships with colleagues and mentors at work while also connecting with classmates, faculty and alumni who can become valuable professional contacts throughout your career. Together, those relationships can open doors long after you’ve earned your degree.

How Warrington helps working professionals succeed

The Warrington College of Business designed its graduate programs so that working professionals can succeed. Between programs specifically created for people to work while taking them, faculty who are former industry professionals themselves and career support, business master’s students have all the support they need to meet their goals.

Flexible program formats

• Weekend Part-Time: These programs are hosted in Jacksonville and Miami. You’ll need 15-20 hours per week for classes, assignments and other activities. You’ll also need to travel to the Jacksonville or Miami campus for one weekend every three weeks. Graduates of this program report a 31.5% salary increase.
• Online MBA: Warrington’s online MBA offers a one-year and two-year option that helps you earn an MBA from anywhere in the world.
• Specialized master’s degrees: Warrington offers master’s degrees online in business analytics, entrepreneurship, international business, management and marketing. These are fully online and require zero campus visits.

Faculty who understand working professionals

• Industry experience: Many Warrington faculty members are former practitioners in their field. They bring that experience directly into the classroom, helping you learn from an expert who also knows the problems you’re facing in your job.
• Relevant classroom discussions: Just as you have challenges in your job, so do your classmates. The faculty teaching your class lead conversations so you can bring those issues to class and hear how other students solved theirs.
• Practical curriculum: Warrington faculty work directly with some of the largest companies in the world. They know what makes them tick and the unique problems they face, helping you learn those lessons in the classroom and know how to solve them in your job.

Built-in support

• Academic advising: Each graduate student at Warrington is assigned an individual advisor. That dedicated person can lead students through their academic journey and ensure maximum impact.
• Career services: Whether you want to earn a promotion in your current company or find a job at a different company, Warrington’s career services can help you get ready for the next step.
• Networking opportunities: Students build strong relationships with classmates in the program, and that networking can benefit you no matter what your career goals look like.

Locations that fit your life

• Gainesville: Our Full-Time program is on campus and gives you the full University of Florida student experience. And campus is always open for visitors from our programs based outside of Gainesville!
• Jacksonville: The Weekend Part-Time MBA program and a Master of Science in Management degree with an AI concentration are both hosted on the UF Jacksonville campus.
• Miami: The Weekend Part-Time MBA is hosted at the Citigroup Center in downtown Miami, minutes away from the city’s financial district and the Port of Miami.
• Online: No matter where you are, you can receive a business master’s degree from Warrington without leaving. Our online program requires zero campus visits.

Which business graduate program is right for your schedule?

Every Warrington graduate program has its own specifics that make it right for different people. So how do you decide which is right for you? Let’s talk through them and find the ideal candidates for each one.

Program	Keep working?	Campus visits?	Best for
Full-Time	No	Full-time	Career changers
Online	Yes	None	Maximum flexibility
Weekend Part-Time	Yes	Every third weekend	Working professionals
Executive	Yes	Every third weekend	Experienced leaders
Specialized master’s	It depends	It varies	Developing specialized expertise

Take the next step

Earning a master’s degree or MBA doesn’t have to mean stepping away from your career. With the right program, you can continue building professional experience while developing the skills employers value most.

Whether you’re looking for an online MBA, a weekend program or a specialized master’s degree, Warrington offers flexible graduate programs designed for working professionals. Explore the options to find the format that fits your schedule, career goals and lifestyle.