How Kellogg’s Part-Time MBA Became A Model In The Covid Era

P&Q: What kind of growth do you anticipate in the part-time program in next two to three years?

Emily Haydon: We’ve been thrilled with the growth of our program to date. We’ve launched some exciting enhancements to the student experience to accommodate this rise in demand. For example, this month we’ve made our Management Science Major available to E&W students. The major teaches students to analyze business and performance problems, and to make data-driven recommendations to inform their business strategies. This is also Kellogg’s first STEM-designated major within its full-time and E&W MBA programs.

For example, we announced three new academic pathways in 2019. Kellogg’s pathways allow students to specialize in a given topic by taking a series of courses, without needing to commit to a major. Pathways typically address emerging disciplines where there is strong demand from recruiters and students alike. For example, our Technology Management Pathway prepares students for roles in the growing tech sector. Our Energy and Sustainability Pathway teaches students to integrate sustainability into their business strategy and investment decisions. Our Asset Management Pathway features the Asset Management Practicum, where students manage long/short equity portfolios that have up to $10 million in assets.

We’ve also introduced Kellogg Table, an opportunity for E&W students to chat and network over a free meal before every class. This hour of social time allows students to not only catch up with their classmates but also chat with their professors and the E&W senior administration. It’s also a great opportunity to meet E&W students from other cohorts, given that a new cohort joins every quarter. With classes being held remotely during our Spring Quarter right now, our student association has continued to hold Kellogg Table virtually — with great success.

For high-achieving young professionals with three years of experience or less, we’ve recently launched the Kellogg Emerging Leaders program. This offering allows motivated, rising stars to earn an MBA earlier in their careers while they continue to build on their work experience.

Where does your part-time MBA program fit in in your regional market? 

The Kellogg E&W program is a top choice for regional and local professionals. Students take classes primarily in Wieboldt Hall, which is conveniently located in the Streeterville neighborhood of downtown Chicago and very accessible to Metra and Amtrak trains. Whether a student is living downtown, in the Chicago suburbs, or commuting from a nearby state like Wisconsin or Indiana, our program offers the right location and flexibility for them to fit the program into their busy lives.

How does it distinguish itself in the national market for part-time MBA programs? 

The Kellogg E&W MBA is a top-ranked program with a clear return on investment. A recent survey of Kellogg E&W alumni from 2009-18 showed that alumni were able to more than double their pre-MBA compensation within three to five years of graduation.

There are a number of qualities that distinguish our top-ranked E&W MBA. I will highlight several of them:

• Flexibility: Students can earn a Kellogg MBA regardless of where they live in the U.S. In 2018, nearly 62% of students commuted to our program from out of state — ranging from Wisconsin to Georgia to Washington and more. Our concentrated weekend schedule is a great option for students commuting from out of town, or for local residents who prefer the convenience of weekend learning. Students also have the flexibility to pick the pace that is best for them — either our traditional 20.5-course credit program or our Accelerated Option, where students can leverage previous coursework to complete the MBA in as little as one year.

• The Kellogg Leadership Journey: The Kellogg Leadership Journey is uniquely designed for E&W students. It’s focused on accelerating students’ leadership development through three distinct phases: Who am I as a leader, and what has shaped me? What are my leadership values? How will I lead myself and others? Through retreats, workshops and discussions, the Leadership Journey teaches the importance of reflection and accountability as you grow as a leader.

• The Kellogg alumni network: Our global alumni network includes more than 60,000 entrepreneurs, innovators, and experts across all industries and endeavors. As part of our collaborative Kellogg culture, our alumni are incredibly responsive and eager to help you. If you call or email them, they will reply. You also have access to a range of alumni clubs and networking events, continued learning opportunities, and alumni career coaching upon graduation. In the recent survey of Kellogg E&W alumni, top alumni industries include Financial Services, Technology, and Healthcare, with the majority of alumni serving in General Management, Finance, or Consulting functions.

What type of student is the part-time program attracting?

Kellogg’s E&W program attracts ambitious leaders who want to propel their professional development and leadership capabilities without putting their careers on hold. We describe students in our E&W program as people who motivate their teams to drive impact, approach business problems with a mix of intellect, energy, and creativity, and are eager to dive in and collaborate. Kellogg will help you build on all of those skills. And as working professionals, students can put their classroom learnings into action immediately.

Our program attracts working professionals who want flexibility in a part-time MBA program. Students can customize their experience to best accommodate their other personal and professional commitments. For example, you can choose from a primarily evening program or a primarily weekend program, and you can even register for certain daytime courses with full-time MBA students on our Evanston campus if your schedule permits. You also have the option to pursue an accelerated pace version of the program, where you can dive right into advanced electives if you’ve completed requisite business courses.

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