New Flex Option

Evening & Weekend MBA

Flex Option

(online + on campus)

At Berkeley Haas, we want to prioritize flexibility in attendance, adapt to the changing environment, and allow learning from anywhere. That's why we're offering a flexible format that allows you to gain the same high-quality MBA without the commute.

Choose Your Own Adventure

For the first half of the program, you'll take core courses online from wherever is convenient for you. Online classes will be a mix of live and on-demand. You'll join online at a set time each week – Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6pm Pacific Time – for about half of your coursework. The rest will be completed on a schedule that works for you.

When you begin taking elective courses, you can either continue to attend online or come to campus for in-person instruction. The best of both worlds.

If you choose to complete your electives online, you’re only required to be in person for three signature immersion events, strategically scheduled throughout the course of the program (with two additional optional in-person events).

Flex-Curriculum-Overview-Graphic-4_12.22.22

 

Compare Format Options

Schedule Option Flex Evenings Weekends
Format Online every Mon & Wed OR Tue & Thu On Campus every Mon & Wed OR Tue & Thu On Campus every Sat
Times 4-6pm PT 6-9:30pm PT 9am-6pm PT
Core Courses Online On Campus On Campus
Electives Online or On Campus* On Campus or Online* On Campus or Online*
Mandatory Signature Events Three mandatory weekend immersions Two mandatory weekend immersions Two mandatory weekend immersions
Optional Signature Events Two optional weekend immersions Two optional weekend immersions Two optional weekend immersions
Program Start July July July
Duration 2.5 to 3 years 2.5 to 3 years 2.5 to 3 years
Cost $148,386** $148,386** $148,386**
Degree Berkeley MBA Berkeley MBA Berkeley MBA

* Flex cohort students will have preferential access to online electives, but they will be open to all EW students.
** Total program costs for Evening & Weekend MBA programs are estimates made using current costs and are subject to change. Visit our financial aid website for more info.

Weekend Immersion Events

WE Launch (Required)

Evening & Weekend MBA Student Orientation

Weekend in July prior to program start date (All EW students)

Your entire class takes flight together at WE Launch, our required student orientation weekend. You will learn about the case method, meet the people who will accompany you on your academic and career journey, and begin to form bonds with classmates through team-building activities.

Leadership Communication (Required)

Required core course, hosted at Haas

Weekend in second half of second semester during first year (Flex cohort only)

In this weekend immersion core course, you will learn how to enhance professional and leadership skills through authentic communication. You'll learn how to inspire others, create cooperation among those who work with you, and advocate ideas within and outside of your organization.

Mid Program Academic Review (Required)

Academic retreat, typically hosted in Napa Valley

Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend in January during second year (All EW students)

This weekend immersion is focused on the Communicating in Diverse Environments core course. It will be taught offsite, typically at a resort in Napa Valley. The course is based on cutting-edge behavioral and social science regarding economic, psychological, sociological, organizational, and cultural insights. You will learn an evidence-based set of tools that make the workplace more equitable. This will help you develop leadership skills to increase diversity and inclusion in the modern workplace.

RE Launch (Optional)

Reconnect and bond with your classmates

Weekend in July during second year (All EW students)

RE Launch is an opportunity to kick start your second year in the program, building on the energy of WE Launch and helping you to think about your academic, professional, and personal goals while at Haas. This immersion weekend is designed as an opportunity for the Flex cohort to bond in person with their fellow Flex classmates and other Evening & Weekend students.

WE Lead (Optional)

Weekend celebration and recap of your MBA experience

Weekend in May of your graduating year (All EW students)

Before you put on your cap and gown, this event brings your class together to reflect on where you have been and set the compass for where you are going. You will test skills and knowledge with your classmates, network with alumni, and, of course, celebrate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Flex.

Flex is part of our Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA Program, and the application process and requirements are the same. Reference the Evening & Weekend MBA FAQ page for any questions that aren't answered below.

Program

What is Flex?
  • The Flex cohort is one of six cohorts in the Berkeley Haas Evening and Weekend MBA Program. 
  • The Flex cohort will have all of its core classes in an online format comprised of approximately half synchronous (live instruction) and half asynchronous (recorded content, discussion boards, etc.) content – except for Orientation, the Leadership Communications weekend immersion, and the Mid Program Academic Review capstone course – all of which will be in person.
    • WE Launch: This is the required Evening & Weekend MBA Orientation held from Friday through Sunday on a weekend in late July on campus at Haas. Students in all cohorts are expected to attend this entire orientation in person in order to commence the evening & weekend MBA program. Hotel rooms will be provided free of charge for all five cohorts.
    • Leadership Communication: This core course will be taught as a weekend immersion for the Flex cohorts from Friday through Sunday in the second half of your second semester. The course will be held in person at Haas. Hotel rooms will be provided free of charge to Flex students.
    • Mid Program Academic Review: This is a required weekend immersion focused on the "Communicating in Diverse Environments" core course for the entire evening and weekend class. It will be taught offsite, typically at a resort site in Napa Valley, from Friday through Sunday on the Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend in January of your fourth semester. Hotel rooms will be provided free of charge to all five cohorts.
  • Electives can be taken either online or in person. For in-person classes, we offer electives on a weeknight or on a Saturday. For online electives, the schedules will vary based on faculty availability.
What is the difference between choosing an Evening or Weekend cohort and choosing the Flex cohort?
  • The Flex cohorts have online core classes. Core classes are taken during the first three semesters of the traditional 6-semester, three-year program.
  • Flex cohort core courses contain weekly synchronous and asynchronous material. Synchronous classes will be taught on either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Pacific Time. Students will have roughly an additional four hours of asynchronous content per week.
  • The other cohorts are taught in person on the UC Berkeley Haas campus and meet either two evenings a week or all day Saturday.
Is the degree the same?

Yes. The Flex cohorts are part of our Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA Program which will award you with the same life-changing Berkeley MBA degree as all of our other top-ranked MBA programs.

What are the Flex in-person courses or signature events?
  • WE Launch (required): This is the required Evening & Weekend MBA Orientation held from Friday through Sunday on a weekend in late July and will include all cohorts. Hotel rooms will be provided to all students.
  • Leadership Communication (required): This core course will be taught as a weekend immersion for the Flex cohorts from Friday through Sunday on a weekend in the second half of your second semester. The course will be held in person at Haas. Hotel rooms will be provided to Flex students.
  • RE Launch (optional): This is a weekend immersion from Friday through Sunday on a weekend in October of your third semester on campus at Haas. Portions will be open to all evening and weekend MBA students, but there will be extra programming for students in the Flex cohort. The weekend is designed as an opportunity for the Flex cohort to bond in person with their fellow Flex classmates and other evening and weekend MBA students. Hotel rooms will be provided to all Flex students.
  • Mid Program Academic Review (required): This is a weekend immersion focused on the Communicating in Diverse Environments core course for the entire evening and weekend MBA class. It will be taught offsite, typically at a resort site in Napa Valley, from Friday through Sunday on the Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend in January of your fourth semester. Hotel rooms will be provided free of charge to all students.
  • WE Lead (optional): Optional weekend celebration and recap of the MBA experience, held in May of the Class’s graduating year. This immersive experience is open to all evening and weekend MBA students.
Am I getting the same impact as the traditional Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA Program?

The Flex program is designed to replicate the in person MBA experience without commuting to the Berkeley campus. Core classes are taught by the same pool of Haas tenure-track faculty. In addition, you will have opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities and career development resources at Haas virtually and on campus.

Do I have to stay on the Flex cohort schedule the whole time? Can I take any on-campus courses?

You can take in-person electives once you have completed the required core classes online.

Can I fast-track during my studies and complete the program in less than 3 years?
  • Absolutely. Please engage with your academic advisor early on to plot an accelerated program.
  • Students finishing in less than six semesters often take summer electives in addition to taking more than the average of 6 or 7 elective units per semester.



What percent of online courses will be synchronous (live instruction sessions) vs. asynchronous (recorded content, discussion boards, etc.)?

Core classes are expected to be about half synchronous content and half asynchronous content. Elective classes may vary from this split, depending on the subject matter.

What computer equipment am I required to have in order to participate?
  • You will need a device that supports video conferencing.
  • Faculty expect that all students be on camera during class, so you should also have access to a stable broadband internet connection.
  • Dedicated headphones also help with the online experience.
How will team projects be worked on?
  • The Evening & Weekend MBA Program Office organizes study teams within each cohort for core classes. Group projects are done with your study team. 
  • These assigned study teams will continue throughout your first year of core courses.
  • Your assigned study team members will all be part of your Flex cohort.
  • After your first year of core courses, students in all cohorts organize their own study teams as necessary in the remaining core courses and electives.

Attendance

How often will I be required to be on campus?
  • You will be required to attend these classes and events in person:
    • WE Launch: This is the required Evening & Weekend MBA Orientation held from Friday through Sunday in a weekend in late July on campus at Haas. Students in all cohorts are expected to attend this entire orientation in person in order to commence the evening and weekend MBA program. Hotel rooms will be provided free of charge for all five cohorts.
    • Leadership Communication: This core course will be taught as a required weekend immersion for the Flex cohort from Friday through Sunday in the second half of your second semester. The course will be held in person at Haas. Hotel rooms will be provided to Flex students.
    • Mid Program Academic Review: This is a required weekend immersion focused on the “Business Communications in Diverse Environments” core course for the entire class. It will be taught offsite, typically at a resort site in Napa Valley, from Friday through Sunday on the Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend in January of your fourth semester. Hotel rooms will be provided to all five cohorts.
  • Optional events:
    • RE Launch: This is a weekend immersion from Friday through Sunday on a weekend in October of your third semester on campus at Haas. Portions will be open to all evening and weekend MBA students, but there will be extra programming for students in the Flex cohort. The weekend is designed as an opportunity for the Flex cohort to bond in person with their fellow Flex classmates and other evening and weekend students. Hotel rooms will be provided to all Flex students.
    • WE Lead: Optional weekend celebration and recap of the MBA experience, held in May of the Class’s graduating year. This immersive experience is open to all evening and weekend MBA students.
Are exams online or on campus?
  • Flex classes will have online exams where applicable. 
  • In-person electives may have either online or in-person exams at the discretion of the instructor.
What if I'm unable to attend one of the mandatory signature event weekends? Can I make it up online?
  • In-person attendance for all of the WE Launch weekend is mandatory in order to begin your Haas MBA and cannot be waived.
  • If you cannot attend one of the other mandatory events, you need to contact your academic advisor immediately to understand your options.
Will I have to log in at specific times?

Yes. As part of the Flex cohort, you will have weekly sessions in each of your core classes, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm PST.

If I'm in the Flex cohort, can I attend in-person electives after my core courses are completed?

Yes.

If I'm in one of the Evening or Weekend cohorts, can I take online electives after my core courses are completed?

Yes, but Flex cohort students will receive first bid for the online electives.


Admissions

Does the Flex option use the same application?

Yes. It’s the same application as our Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA Program because it’s part of the same program — just a new cohort option that offers remote access.

Do I have to take the GMAT/GRE/EA?

Yes. The same standards apply because the Flex cohort is part of the Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA Program.

How many spaces are available in the Flex cohort? Who gets priority?

Like all evening and weekend cohorts, the Flex cohort enrolls approximately 70 students. Students are admitted independently of cohort preference and assigned to cohorts on a space available basis. Although we reserve some seats for applicants in each round, we cannot guarantee that there will be as many spots available in later rounds. If you have a strong preference or need for a specific cohort, we recommend applying in earlier rounds to increase your chances of getting your first choice.

Is my admittance dependent on/influenced by my cohort preference?

No. The admission decision will be made independently of your cohort preference. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate your cohort preference when we extend your admission offer. Therefore, if you have a strong preference or need for a specific cohort, we recommend applying in earlier rounds to increase your chances of getting your first choice.

Can I apply only to the Flex cohort?

No. You will be applying to the Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA Program and will need to meet the same competitive standards no matter which cohort you join (Flex, Evenings, or Weekends). If you can only attend the Flex cohort, please indicate that in the cohort preference section of your application. If you can only attend the Flex cohort, we recommend that you apply in earlier rounds as there may be significantly fewer spots available later in the application cycle.

When are the application deadlines?

The application deadlines are not specific to Flex. They are the same for all cohorts in the Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA Program.

Does it matter in which round I apply?

Although we reserve some seats for applicants in each round, space may be limited in later rounds. If you have a strong preference or need for the Flex cohort, we recommend applying in earlier rounds to increase your chances of getting your first choice.


Online Features

How is this different from an online MBA?
  • Almost all “online” MBAs are taught asynchronously, using recorded lectures and other asynchronous online teaching tools (simulations, discussion boards, etc.).
  • The Flex cohort can expect extensive synchronous engagement with Haas faculty in the regularly scheduled remote class sessions.
How are the assignments turned in?

Our learning management platform, bCourses (based on the Canvas application), has straightforward upload processes for required deliverables in addition to online discussion boards which can be used to increase asynchronous engagement.


Academics

Will the Flex cohort have access to all of the same faculty?
  • Yes. All Flex courses are taught by the same faculty who teach our in-person classes.
Can I meet with my professors in person, on the phone, or online?

You can arrange office hour sessions with your professors in a format that is mutually agreeable.

Can I expect group work?

Because Berkeley Haas faculty emphasize teamwork and collaboration, you are part of a study team of about five students. Each team is selected to include diverse professional experiences to ensure you learn from and with people with different perspectives and skills.

Can I come to campus on non-mandatory weekends for clubs, speakers, events, and social events?
  • Yes. You are welcome on campus whenever you want. 
  • You have the same access as the rest of our MBA students to all of the events at Haas and on the UC Berkeley campus.



How will I get my books?
  • Students are responsible for obtaining their own textbooks listed in course syllabi.
  • We provide access to other materials at no charge (articles, case studies, simulations, etc.) as assigned by faculty.
Are accommodations provided for the mandatory signature events?
  • Yes. We will provide accommodations and meals at no additional cost.
  • We will also provide transportation from the hotel to the campus at the beginning and end of each day.

Fees & Aid

Do Flex cohort members pay different fees than other Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA Program cohorts?

No. The fees are the same as they are for all of our Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA Program cohorts.

Are there out-of-state tuition fees?

No. There is no difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.

Are students in the Flex cohort eligible for financial aid and scholarships?

Yes. Check out the available scholarships for evening and weekend MBA students.


Resources

Can I use on-campus recruiting services?

Yes. You have access to all of the Career Management Group services available to all of our evening and weekend MBA students.

Can I join clubs?

Yes. Here's a list of co-curriculars and clubs at Berkeley Haas.

How will I network with my fellow evening and weekend MBAs?
  • The required in-person events are designed to provide key bonding and networking opportunities for all students enrolled in the Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA Program.
  • Electives are a great way to meet fellow students. Dual-listed electives with the full-time MBA program and the MBA for executives program are also great networking opportunities.
  • In addition, the Evening and Weekend MBA Association leadership works on social and networking events for all evening and weekend MBA students.
  • Career Management Group events and workshops, Alumni Relations events, Haas student clubs and organizations, and regular Haas-hosted events like the Dean's Speaker Series are also great ways to network with Berkeley Haas students across all MBA degree programs.

Student Perspectives

 

Why Flex?

 

The Virtual Classroom

 

Collaborative Culture

Sign up to learn more about Flex at Berkeley Haas