Our Weekend format is perfect for those who work full time in the Bay Area, greater California, or surrounding areas and are willing to dedicate Saturdays to their MBA program. Weekend MBA students enjoy spending their weekends on campus without the stress of work the same or next day.
Core classes take place on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with breaks and catered lunch. For the second half of your program, choose your own electives schedule from evenings, weekends, and online class offerings.
Weekend MBA students enjoy spending their catered lunch time together and expanding their weekends for recreational activities or group projects.
Public transit options include BART trains and AC Transit buses. From their stops in downtown Berkeley, it’s an easy free shuttle ride or walk to the Haas campus. Parking also is available for students who drive—or ride their bikes—to class.
Weekend students typically fly in to Oakland International Airport (OAK) on Friday evening and depart Saturday evening after classes. Students often coordinate their schedules to share rides to or from the airport or even take the same flights, using the extra time to get to know each other, continue classroom discussions, and get started on assignments.
Even if you begin the program as a long-distance commuter, you may find yourself choosing to relocate to the Bay Area. The potential to leverage a Berkeley MBA into a career move to the Bay Area, whether with a current employer or through a new position, is an objective many students share.
"I currently commute from Santa Barbara. I fly in on Friday evenings and depart on Sunday mornings. Opting for the in-person block schedule on Saturdays was the ideal choice for me given my inability to relocate to the Bay Area before the start of the program.
While I was initially apprehensive about the logistics of weekly travel followed by eight hours of class on Saturdays, the experience of the in-person program has been extremely enjoyable. Saturdays are easily my favorite day of the week as they're full of bonding opportunities with my classmates. I really appreciate the time we spend together during lunch breaks or after class."
Schedule Option | Flex | Evenings | Weekends |
---|---|---|---|
Format | Online every 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 |
* 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 in July prior to program start date
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.
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend in January during second year
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.
Weekend in July during second year
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 Evening, Weekend, and Flex cohorts to bond in person together.
Weekend in May of your graduating year
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.