Because part-time programs may take up to five years to complete, the direct costs are spread over a longer period of time thus making budgeting easier. A part-time student's current income may cover most or all of the educational costs, and some employers may even fully or partially reimburse tuition. Many full-time students prefer to stop working altogether in order to fully immerse themselves in their graduate management education. Some schools actually encourage full-time students to concentrate exclusively on their studies, while others permit outside employment. Rules governing employment may be different for the first and second years of the graduate management program.
Some schools also offer work programs as a part of or alternative to financial assistance.
Executive Executive programs are generally delivered on weekends, studying a curriculum designed for experienced professionals. Study is completed in approximately two years. While students have two years over which they may budget the costs associated with their education, many are actually sponsored by their current employers and are not concerned financially. Alternatively, because executive programs are not delivered during normal working hours, students who are not sponsored by their employers may have less budgeting problems than those attending full-time programs. Accelerated Accelerated programs are full-time, intensive courses of study that are completed in about one year.