Program FAQs
1. What is the difference between the Evening MBA and Daytime MBA?
The Evening MBA is a flexible program designed for working professionals. The program typically takes students around 32 months to complete but can be accelerated or extended over a longer time if the student’s personal and / or professional situation changes.
The Daytime MBA is an immersive full-time study experience for early to mid-career professionals; the program is structured to enable students to explore career opportunities through a summer internship between the first and second year.
Note that minimum admission criteria are the same for both programs; international (visa) students are not eligible to join the Evening MBA.
2. What is the difference between the Evening MBA and Executive MBA?
An Executive MBA is targeted at mid to senior-level professionals who have already achieved significant success in their careers and typically manage a team, business unit or organization. The teaching style is designed to leverage the collective experience of the cohort. In addition, additional support is provided to enable the students to be effective learners despite the fact that they have not been students for potentially many years.
3. What is the reputation of the program?
The Evening MBA program has a strong reputation locally, nationally and internationally.
The Haskayne School of Business is an AACSB accredited business school, a recognition awarded to less than 5% of business schools worldwide. Our MBA program is internationally recognized by independent bodies. For example, The 2015 Better World MBA ranking placed Haskayne’s MBA at number 5 from over 100 programs it examined around the globe and Haskayne MBA was ranked #4 in the worldon the Global Green MBA in Corporate Knights (2013).
With 85% of our alumni remain in Calgary and the surrounding area, we also have a very strong local reputation with employers.
4. How will the Evening MBA impact my career?
Many students are seeking to make a career transition or accelerate their career through their MBA. In addition to enhancing your critical thinking skills and business knowledge there are a myriad of opportunities to expand your leadership capacity. Students benefit from networking opportunities with other MBA students and alumni, faculty and local business leaders.
5. Can I specialize?
Students in the Evening MBA program have the option to specialize in one of six areas:
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Finance
- Global Energy Management and Sustainable Development
- Marketing
- Project Management
- Real Estate Studies
For more information, see Specialization Options.
Alternatively, students can select from across the broad range of electives available.
6. What is the difference between the GEMS specialization and the Global Energy Executive MBA?
The GEMS specialization is designed for early to mid-career professionals who are seeking to explore a potential career transition to the energy sector or to consolidate and broaden their knowledge within the sector. The Global Energy Executive MBA is targeted at senior leaders who have already achieved significant professional success within the energy sector.
7. What is the difference between the GEMS specialization and the M.Sc. in Sustainable Energy Development?
The GEMS specialization is comprised of management courses within the topics of Energy Management and Sustainability as part of the Daytime or Evening MBA. The M.Sc. in Sustainable Energy Development is a multi-disciplinary (business, engineering, law and environmental design) degree providing a balanced education relating to energy and environmental management.
8. What is the typical makeup of the class?
Each Evening MBA cohort brings a rich diversity of experience across educational background, industry and functional experience. The profile of the current incoming class is as follows:
- 3.3 average GPA
- 610 average GMAT
- 6 years’ average work experience
- 30% female and 70% male
9. Will I stay with the same group of people throughout the program?
Assuming that you follow our standard schedule of classes and have no course exemptions, you will stay with the same group of people for all 14 core courses. For electives, Evening MBA and Daytime MBA students share classes and, in some cases, courses may be cross-listed with undergraduate business or other University of Calgary programs.
10. What sort of networking opportunities are there?
Integrated across the program are opportunities to network with your classmates, other MBA and EMBA students at Haskayne, MBA students from other universities, faculty, alumni and business leaders. These networking opportunities could take numerous forms, such as case competitions, guest speaker events or the Leadership Development Program.
11. Can I work while completing the program?
The Evening MBA is a flexible program designed for working professionals. Courses are typically delivered either in block week or evening format. The program typically takes students around 3 years to complete but can be accelerated or extended over a longer time if the student’s personal and / or professional situation changes.
12. How much time will I need to study?
Students in the Evening MBA program typically study for 30-40 hours per week (more in block weeks).
13. If I need to travel for work, can I still complete the program?
In the case of missing an individual class, students are expected to make arrangements with their faculty member and study team. If you travel extensively during the week and meet with minimum admission criteria the Executive MBA program may be a better fit with your needs.
14. What is the mix of classroom versus online learning?
The Evening MBA program is a classroom based program; faculty may choose to provide supplemental tutorials online through our learning management system as part of class preparation or review.
15. Is there more than one start date?
There are two intakes of the Evening MBA program each year, commencing in Fall and Winter.
16. How long does the program take?
The program duration is typically 32 months; there are accelerated options available for students who previously completed an undergraduate business degree in Canada.
17. What is a typical schedule for a semester?
Students typically study one block week class and two evening classes (Monday / Wednesday or Tuesday / Thursday) during Fall and Winter semester and choose to study one or two evening classes during Spring and Summer.
18. What qualification do I receive when I complete the program?
Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded a Masters’ Degree in Business Administration; if an individual fulfills the relevant requirements, their specialization will also appear on their parchments and transcripts.