Part-Time MBA - Admissions FAQ

The Darden School offers one world-class MBA program in three formats: Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA and Executive MBA (EMBA). In all formats, students earn the same Darden MBA degree and are taught through the case method by the same top-ranked faculty.

What are the application deadlines for the Part-Time MBA? 

Visit our application deadlines for Part-Time MBA applicants.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

Prospective applicants must have a bachelor’s degree (conferred prior to matriculation). While there is no work experience requirement for the Part-Time MBA format, it is expected that students will have at least two years of professional work experience prior to matriculation.

The Darden School of Business does not admit students who have already completed an MBA from an AACSB accredited institution. To find out if a school is accredited by the AACSB, please refer to the AACSB website.

DO I NEED TO BE EMPLOYED FULL-TIME?

The Part-Time MBA program is designed for working professionals, and Part-Time MBA students are expected to be employed during their course of study. Our curriculum is based on applying classroom knowledge to individual work situations, and students derive the most value from their experience when they can bring work to the classroom and take lessons from class to their work.

WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS? 

The application requirements for the Part-Time MBA program are as follows:

• Application (including short answer responses)
• Standardized test score or test waiver request
• Resume
• Transcripts (for all degree-related coursework; unofficial transcripts accepted in application process)
• One recommendation (up to two recommendations accepted)
• Application fee (application fee waivers available)
• Interview (by invitation only)

May I apply to more than one of UVA Darden’s MBA formats at once? 

No. Applicants may only be evaluated for one format of the Darden MBA at a time, and simultaneous applications to Darden’s MBA formats will not be accepted. When starting an application, you will be asked to choose a deadline corresponding to your preferred MBA format, and you should target the format that best aligns with your desired schedule, experience and interests. If you have questions about which format of the Darden MBA may be right for you, we encourage you to schedule a conversation with a member of our Admissions team.

If your format interest changes after you've submitted your application, simply contact our admissions team, and we will share a form in which you may request your application be moved to another format evaluation process. 

Our MBA format evaluation processes are discrete, and, by extension, if an applicant has received a decision for one MBA format, that decision will not transfer to the new format process. If an applicant requests to be evaluated for a new MBA format, their previous decision is voided, and the applicant must be evaluated anew for the new MBA format, including, if applicable, interviewing again.

IS A STANDARDIZED TEST REQUIRED? 

There are two options: (1) Submit a test score, or (2) submit a test waiver request with application materials. Applicants are encouraged to choose the option that will allow them to put forward their strongest application.

Standardized tests that are accepted for the Part-Time MBA include the Executive Assessment (EA), the GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, the MCAT and the LSAT. These tests are viewed as equivalents. Older or expired scores for any of these tests are accepted, but candidates who wish to submit an expired score will need to have access to their full score breakdown.

 What is the test waiver request process?

Standardized test waivers are available on a case-by-case basis. Within the Part-Time MBA application, the test waiver request form can be found in the “Test Scores” section of the application. Candidates who feel they have a strong case for a test waiver are welcome and encouraged to submit a waiver request. Waiver requests are considered along with the full application, and an update regarding the outcome of the waiver review will be provided at the time of decision. 

In considering waiver requests, our Committee will pay particular attention to your prior coursework (both degree-related and non-degree-related), advanced degrees, professional certifications and work responsibilities.

Read more about standardized tests and the test waiver process here.

WHO IS THIS FORMAT DESIGNED FOR?

The Part-Time MBA program has been designed for students who wish to pursue their MBA while continuing to advance their career. It's flexibility accommodates the schedules of working professionals. Because the program consists of weeknight classes delivered both in-person at UVA Darden DC metro and virtually, it is expected that Part-Time MBA students will be based in the Washington, D.C. area or the nearby vicinity.

HOW WILL THIS PROGRAM BE STRUCTURED?

The program begins with a cohort-based, core curriculum, followed by an elective period. The core curricular period begins and ends with a week-long leadership residency in Charlottesville, and during this period, students have the opportunity to build deep and meaningful relationships with classmates while taking the same core courses as students in Darden’s Full-Time MBA and Executive MBA programs.

During the elective period, students will have the option of speeding up or slowing down their course of study according to their plans and goals, and we expect that students will be able to complete the program in anywhere from 28 to 48 months. The standard pacing for the program will likely be 33 months. 

HOW MANY CREDITS IS THE PART-TIME MBA PROGRAM?

As with other formats of the Darden MBA, the Part-Time MBA program is 60 credits.

As a Part-Time MBA student, will I have the opportunity to learn in Charlottesville?

While the base location for the Part-Time MBA program is UVA Darden DC Metro in Arlington, Virginia, all Part-Time MBA students will participate in two week-long residencies in Charlottesville. The first residency – Residency 1 (R1) – will take place at the beginning of the program, and the second residency – Residency 2 (R2) – will occur about 20 months into the program, after the conclusion of the cohort-based core curricular period.  

AS A PART-TIME STUDENT, WHAT DEGREE WILL I RECEIVE AT GRADUATION?

The Part-Time MBA format offers the same degree as the Full-Time MBA and Executive MBA formats. All MBA candidates at Darden graduate with the same Darden MBA degree.

WHAT COURSES WILL BE IN THE CORE CURRICULUM?

Part-Time MBA students take the same core courses as Darden’s Full-Time MBA and Executive MBA students: Decision Analysis, Marketing, Accounting, Leading Organizations, Finance, Strategy, Ethics, Operations, Global Economies and Markets and Leadership Communication.

HOW WILL ELECTIVES WORK?

After the core curriculum, students shift to elective coursework. Electives will be offered specifically for Part-Time MBA students. The program team will work with students and faculty to develop this elective list.

In addition, it is expected that there will be some flexibility for Part-Time MBA students to take electives offered in Darden’s other MBA formats. However, the ability to do so will likely depend upon space availability and faculty approval. More information will be available soon.

WHAT ELECTIVES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PART-TIME MBA STUDENTS?

Darden’s approach to electives for Part-Time MBA students is similar to elective courses offered to students in the Executive MBA formats. Electives will vary from class to class, with the program team working with students and faculty to develop course offerings.

The following classes will be offered to the Part-Time MBA Class of 2025 during their first elective quarters:

• Strategy in the Digital age
• Emerging and Frontier Markets
• Telling Financial Stories
• EU and the World Economy
• Project Management
• Negotiations
• Financial Institutions & Markets
• Financial Crises
• Digital Operations
• Data Visualization and Analytics
• Building Experimentation Skills

Part-Time MBA students also have the opportunity to participate in the following January term (J-term) courses. J-term takes place between New Year's and MLK Day. These courses are open to Full-Time, Part-Time and Executive MBA students. The course's delivery locations is noted in parentheses:

• Marketing Leadership (Rosslyn)
• Business and Transformation in the Southern Region of the US
• CEO Leadership in the 21^st Century (Charlottesville)

For additional information about electives offered to working professional students learning in Rosslyn, we also encourage you to visit the electives page of the Executive MBA formats for a list of past Executive MBA elective courses.

Are focus areas and concentrations, offered in other formats of the Darden MBA, open to Part-Time MBA Students?

Yes. All Darden MBA students, regardless of program format, may earn any existing specialization, concentration or focus area provided the student meets the requirements of the offering. Please note that enrollment in courses may be dependent on scheduling and course availability. Focus areas and concentrations are not noted on a student’s transcript, but students do receive documentation from the Registrar when they have satisfied the requirements for a particular offering and students may list the focus area or concentration on their resume. Read more about concentrations, area focus electives and industry focus electives on the Full-Time MBA web pages and Executive MBA focus area elective offerings.

WHO TEACHES IN THE PART-TIME MBA PROGRAM? 

All core classes in the Part-Time MBA program will be taught by full-time Darden faculty. Electives will be taught by a broader set of instructors, including Darden faculty, alumni, professors of practice and adjunct faculty. This is in accordance with the other formats of the Darden MBA.

WHAT WILL THE COURSE SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?

The Part-Time MBA program is hybrid in format, with classes typically delivered on weeknights. The schedule will alternate between in-person and virtual weeks, with in-person classes delivered at UVA Darden DC Metro. Class sessions will occur on Monday and Thursday evenings from 6–9:30 p.m. Students will typically have two, 75-minute class sessions per evening. In general, students should expect two weeks of in-person instruction and two weeks of virtual delivery per month in the academic calendar. As a sample, view the Class of 2027 calendar here.

The program also features two weeklong experiences in Charlottesville at the beginning and end of the core curriculum. In addition, all students will have an opportunity to expand upon their classroom experience with intensive global study opportunities.

ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GLOBAL STUDY?

Yes! Part-Time MBA students have the opportunity to participate in a global elective during the fall of their second year. Members of the Part-Time MBA Class of 2025 traveled to Italy in Fall of 2023 for their global elective, and the global elective location for the Part-Time MBA Class of 2026 is Argentina. 

WILL THERE BE CAREER SUPPORT?

The Darden Career Center will provide career support to Part-Time MBA students. Students will have access to face-to-face workshops, one-on-one coaching and online career modules. In addition, all students participate in a required course, the "Professional Advancement Course" (PAC), offered during the core curricular period.

What career resources will be available to Part-Time MBA students? 

Career support for Part-Time MBA students will begin prior to matriculation, and the Career team is prepared to support students with a wide range of career goals, including switching function or industry, climbing within their current organization, launching their own venture, or simply investigating multiple paths.

In the summer before the start of the program, students will gain access to a series of self-paced, career-focused online modules, CDWhyFinding (“CDWhy”), that will help them begin to explore career possibilities.

This exploration will continue throughout the first year of the program. In addition, during the fall or spring of their first year, students will have the opportunity to participate in a Career Kick-Off meeting, a one-on-one meeting with a career coach.

During the first summer semester, students will participate in the Professional Advancement Course (PAC), a required, credit-bearing course in which students will begin to chart a roadmap for their career. 

Students will also have access to recruiting opportunities, including thousands of job postings from over 150 corporate partners. In addition, all Darden alumni have access to complimentary career services for life through the Armstrong Center for Alumni Career Services.

Can Part-Time MBA students participate in internships? 

The Part-Time MBA program is designed for working professionals, and we expect students to be employed during their course study. As a result, students seeking to do an internship should consider Darden's Full-Time MBA program.

Can Part-Time MBA students participate in recruiting? 

Yes. Part-Time MBA students can participate in recruiting. Depending upon career stage and interest, this path may not be the right fit for all Part-Time MBA students, and the Career team can help students determine if recruiting is a potentially viable channel. 

As most students will be recruiting for full-time positions for which firms will expect the student will have completed their MBA prior to beginning the role, the recruiting process for Part-Time MBA will typically not begin in earnest until the student enters the fall of their final year of study.

As a Part-Time MBA student will I have access to the full Darden network? 

Yes. All Darden students, regardless of format, have access to the same, powerful network of 18,000 Darden alumni in 90+ countries. The Washington, D.C. metro is the largest base of Darden alumni and is also home to the largest alumni chapter for the University of Virginia.

HOW MUCH WILL THE PROGRAM COST?

Please visit the Part-Time MBA Tuition, Fees, and Billing Information page on our website to stay up to date on tuition and fees.

If you will be using student loans to finance any portion of the costs, please refer to the Cost of Attendance budget for information on expenses that can be covered with financial aid.

WILL THERE BE AN IN-STATE TUITION RATE? 

There is no in-state tuition rate for the Part-Time MBA. All students pay the same tuition rate regardless of domicile. 

WILL SCHOLARSHIPS BE AVAILABLE FOR PART-TIME MBA STUDENTS? 

Yes. All admitted students will be evaluated for a scholarship award. No additional documents are required for scholarship consideration. 

These competitive awards are based upon a variety of metrics and considerations, including but not limited to indicators of academic merit such as undergraduate GPA, graduate GPA, advanced degree, professional certification(s) and standardized test scores. Admitted students are typically notified of the outcome of the scholarship review process when they receive their admissions decision.

For the Part-Time MBA, scholarship award values typically range from $5,000 to $25,000 total for the program. The average scholarship award is typically around $9,000 to $12,000.  

HOW WILL THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING BE APPLIED?

Scholarship awards will be applied on a per-credit basis over the duration of the program. At Darden, billing periods generally track the semester schedule, with a bill due typically prior to the start of the program and every four months thereafter until program completion.

ARE PART-TIME MBA STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR EDUCATIONAL LOANS?

Financial aid is available to students in the Part-Time MBA program in the form of federal and private loan programs. These loans are not "need-based." Therefore, students with an acceptable credit rating will be eligible. 

U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens may access direct loans through the U.S. federal student aid program. Students may also seek private loans.

Pursuant to UVA guidelines, in most semesters, students will need to be enrolled at least six credit hours of coursework per semester to maintain educational loan eligibility.

CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY SUPPORT LETTER?

The company support letter is NOT an admissions requirement. It is a pre-matriculation requirement. Your support letter can be submitted at any time by email, and it will be added to your file.

At minimum, the letter should:

• Indicate that your company is aware of your interest in applying to the program.
• Acknowledge the time commitment required to attend the required residencies.
• If applicable, indicate the level of financial support your employer will provide.

This letter must be submitted on company letterhead with an original signature from your supervisor. The letter may also speak to the company’s belief in your strength as a high potential manager. The letter may be scanned and submitted as a PDF. View a sample company support letter.

If you are self-employed, please submit a letter acknowledging the schedule requirements of Darden's Part-Time MBA format, noting that you have the time and resources necessary to complete the program.

ARE EMPLOYERS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND THE PROGRAM?

No. While we encourage employers to make a financial contribution, allowing students to participate is the only investment on their part that we require.

CAN SPONSORS TALK WITH SOMEONE DURING THE ADMISSION PROCESS?

Yes. Contact ptmba@virginia.edu and we will put you in touch with someone who can speak about sponsorship.