Balancing Work, Life, And An MBA: How Butler Makes It Possible

Whether you’re hoping to advance your current career or transition to a new one, the Lacy School of Business’s graduate programs can prepare you for your next step. Lacy School programs are grounded in experiential learning and are designed to meet market need, giving students the tools to build their business acumen, sharpen their skill set, and ultimately, stand out with employers.

For working professionals considering a Master’s in Business Administration, the decision often comes with hesitation. Those who have built successful careers and can’t afford to take time off to go back to school face significant barriers to entry. Fitting classes into a packed schedule, paying for tuition, determining how long it will take to graduate, and questioning if the degree will have a meaningful career impact are common concerns. Going back to school while working full time is a serious commitment – physically, mentally, and financially. However, the investment is worth it as market demand shows, and most MBA graduates will attest.  

So, how can potential students overcome their concerns and find a program that meets their needs? Current students and recent alumni of Butler University’s online MBA program (OMBA) through the Lacy School of Business (LSB) concur on several factors that make it a great choice for working professionals: a flexible, online/hybrid format, affordability, a well-rounded curriculum, personalized attention, and career impact.

Flexibility For Working Professionals

Although LSB’s MBA program was offered exclusively in a face-to-face format until 2020, it has always been a part-time program, designed to offer students the ability to work full-time while obtaining their degree. The addition of the online/hybrid format has materially increased the program’s flexibility and appeal to such students. Classes are scheduled on evenings and weekends so as not to interfere with the workday. Students attend classes at their own pace and are allowed to complete the program in as many as five years after matriculation. Taking a semester off when work or personal obligations are particularly heavy is not uncommon, as Evan Cardell, an Account Executive at Roche Diagnostics, is doing this term to accommodate family matters and his teenage sons’ sports schedules.

Affordable And High Value

With tuition at just over $37,000, no matter the modality or time needed to graduate, the LSB OMBA is among the more affordable, highly rated online programs. Recent graduate, Sean Miller, Senior Director of People Operations at Mercer Advisors, notes that when comparing LSB’s tuition to that of other business schools, “the price tag, it just didn’t make sense. And looking at Butler and what Butler offers, you’re getting a lot for a little.”  Cost is an important issue for anyone considering additional schooling – even students receiving tuition assistance from their employers cite the OMBA’s overall value as a key factor in choosing the program. 

Hybrid Learning Without Extra Cost

An attractive aspect of LSB’s OMBA program is the ability to attend classes either online or in person without incurring any additional cost. Many schools require students to choose one modality, or they charge extra fees for blending online with in-person coursework. LSB’s model allows students to attend classes in person or online, depending on what fits their schedule. Students appreciate the opportunity to take a face-to-face class from time to time, which allows for extended interaction with faculty members and classmates. The in-person Impact Practicum offered over a three-day weekend is an easy way for online students to attend class on campus without spending a lot of time away from work or home. 

LSB’s many Global Business Experiences also provide a chance to spend time with faculty and classmates while traveling to international business hubs. These 7–10-day trips are offered during both spring and fall terms and include destinations such as Vietnam, London/Paris, and Malaysia. Students rave about the trips and agree they are the highlight of their time at LSB.

Erin Tanner, the Chief Financial Officer at the Central Indiana Community Foundation, said of her trip to Vietnam, “I can tell you I look back so fondly on that trip…it was just such an amazing opportunity. I never would have gone to Vietnam without the program.”

Academic Rigor And Personalized Support

Academic rigor and small class sizes are also strengths of the OMBA program offered by LSB. Evan Cardell, of Roche, in describing why he chose this program over others, said “It was important to me [for the program] to have as much merit as I could find, because … when you’re investing in your education in your 40’s, and you have an employer helping you with that, you pay attention a little bit more, rather than just [earning] the letters….” Evan wasn’t alone in desiring a demanding, comprehensive curriculum – high-quality content is a key factor for many in selecting a program. Even with growth in enrollment numbers, LSB  maintains class sizes of no more than 30 students. This allows faculty to get to know the students and maximizes interaction among classmates. Strong bonds are formed along the way. Additional one-on-one attention is provided by certified leadership coaches who offer career advice and guidance throughout each student’s time at LSB. 

Career Impact And Alumni Success

Although most incoming students have built successful careers, many receive promotions or are able to move into new jobs while in the program or upon graduation. Students who stay in the same roles they had prior to enrollment also recognize a boost in their confidence and rounding out of their skill sets.

Recent graduate Sean Miller said of the position he took at Mercer six months ago: “I don’t think I would have had the confidence as a leader to step into my new role if it weren’t for the lessons I learned, especially from my leadership coach and the leadership component of the program as a whole. Beyond leadership, the program pushed me to think more strategically, which has been invaluable as I’ve grown into my new role.” Likewise, Erin Tanner, who came into the program with many years of experience at various nonprofits, notes the value of the OMBA and its well-rounded course of study – even for someone who has reached her professional level. She said, “[I can] look back on my career … at all the different experiences I’ve had, and I’ve been able to really connect things in a … practical way.”

Most people know Butler University from the great run our men’s basketball team had back in 2010 and 2011. Basketball glory may return – in the meantime, LSB hopes to put Butler on the map for the OMBA program. With its flexible format, affordable tuition, strong academics, and personalized support, Butler’s OMBA program empowers professionals to advance their careers without putting life on hold. Ready to take the next step? Learn more about Butler’s OMBA program and how it can fit your life and career goals.

Program Highlights At A Glance

• Tuition: Just over $37,000 total, regardless of format or time to completion
• Program Duration: Flexible pacing—students may take up to 5 years to complete the degree
• Class Schedule: Evening and weekend classes designed to accommodate full-time work
• Class Size: Capped at 30 students to ensure personalized attention
• Modality: Choose online, in-person, or hybrid learning with no extra fees
• Global Business Experiences: Optional 7–10-day trips to destinations like Vietnam, London/Paris, and Malaysia
• Leadership Coaching: One-on-one support from certified leadership coaches throughout the program
• Impact Practicum: A 3-day in-person experience that blends real-world consulting with classroom learning

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Whether you’re hoping to advance your current career or transition to a new one, the Lacy School of Business’s graduate programs can prepare you for your next step. Lacy School programs are grounded in experiential learning and are designed to meet market need, giving students the tools to build their business acumen, sharpen their skill set, and ultimately, stand out with employers.

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