So, you’ve decided to pursue graduate business school–congratulations! As you take the next step, you might wonder which program will best meet your career goals and educational aspirations.
At Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, we offer a range of MBA, Master of Science, and certificate programs designed to align with your professional journey and prepare you with the skills and knowledge you need to thrive in the business world.
Here are some insights from our admissions team to help guide you through choosing the right business school program for you.
Identifying the right program for your career goals
Consider your target industry
Arguably the most important factor in deciding what program best suits you is determining the industry in which you want to build your career. Where do you see yourself leading? What industry sparks your interest? Your target industry plays a critical role in determining which program will provide the best foundation for your future success.
Carey’s programs will prepare you to thrive in any industry. While all our programs emphasize strong business foundations, some focus more deeply on industry-specific standards, technologies, and practices.
Our graduates have successfully transitioned into leadership roles in a wide variety of industries:
- Consulting
- Financial Services
- Health Care Products/Services
- Real Estate
- Government
- Education
- Accounting Services
- Technology
- Manufacturing
- Consumer Packaged Goods
Explore our programs finder to discover which program aligns with your industry interests.
Factor in your timeline and goals
When considering what program is your best fit, your timeline and career objectives should help guide your decision. Certain programs require more than others – do you have the time to accommodate full-time, in-person courses? Or are you looking for a program you can complete at your own pace in two to six years? Full-time programs allow you to earn your degree faster, while part-time programs allow for flexibility and learning at your own pace. A good question to ask yourself is whether you are looking to advance your current career or make a pivot.
Consider your professional experience
Your level of professional experience is another key factor when selecting the right business program. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, Carey has programs and co-curricular activities that cater to various experience levels.
Recent graduates: If you have less than two years of professional experience or are a recent undergraduate, our specialized master’s programs might be a good fit for you. Our full-time specialized master’s programs focus on building technical skills in a particular field, allowing graduates from these programs to hit the ground running and immediately apply their new expertise. Our master’s programs are tailored to the demands of specific industries and functions, which helps graduates compete in the job market with highly sought-after, specialized skills. Our full-time programs also offer in-person experiential learning activities such as consulting projects and case competitions for hands-on learning.
Early and mid-career candidates: While there is no minimum requirement of work experience for our full-time MBA program, this program may be the best fit if you have 3-5 years of professional experience. The full-time MBA program is particularly helpful for candidates with a professional background because it helps them contribute valuable perspective to class discussions and group projects. The program is designed to develop key skills in leadership, strategic thinking, and management, emphasizing real-world experience through case studies, discussions, and hands-on, in-person experiential learning opportunities. The full-time MBA program also includes co-curricular activities such as networking events, which can help connect you with industry leaders and alumni in your field of interest.
Seasoned professionals: If you’re looking to advance in your current career, our part-time Flexible MBA and Master of Science programs offer the flexibility to earn your degree without changing any of your personal or professional commitments. Carey’s part-time programs are designed to fit into your schedule with online or hybrid formats. Our part-time programs offer the same types of experiential learning opportunities as our full-time programs. You can participate in optional in-person experiences such as residencies, workshops, and networking receptions that take place at Carey and all over the country. The optional in-person formats ensure you have opportunities for engagement and experiential learning to foster professional development beyond the classroom.
Carey offers six full-time and part-time specialized master’s programs:
- Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
- Finance
- Health Care Management
- Information Systems and Artificial Intelligence for Business
- Marketing
- Real Estate and Infrastructure
Dual degree opportunities: For those looking to broaden their expertise in various fields, Carey offers dual-degree programs in partnership with top-ranked schools both inside and outside Johns Hopkins University. Dual degrees blend elements from multiple disciplines to help professionals create innovative approaches to issues across industries.
Carey offers dual degrees aligned with both the full-time and part-time MBA programs.
- MBA dual degrees aligned with the full-time MBA
- MBA dual degrees aligned with the Flexible MBA
Certificates: In addition to our degree programs, Carey offers certificate programs for professionals seeking to sharpen specific skills. Certificates are ideal for individuals looking to quickly upskill, enhance their current leadership capabilities, or explore the latest updates in their area of expertise. Credits earned in a certificate program can be counted toward the Flexible MBA or part-time Master of Science degree programs, if you choose to continue your education.
Carey offers nine certificate programs:
- Artificial Intelligence for Business
- Business Analytics and Risk Management
- Digital Marketing
- Entrepreneurial Marketing
- Financial Management Certificate
- Healthcare Management, Innovation, and Technology
- Investments Certificate
- Leadership Development Program
- MS in Applied Economics/Financial Management or Investments Certificate
Get started on your journey
At Carey, our programs provide you with the knowledge, skills, and network you need to advance your career or start a new path.
If you’d like to learn more about your program of choice, connect with a member of our Admissions team to request more information.