Lehigh offers an 18-month MBA program to accommodate for summer internships.
The primary distinction between one-year and two-year full-time MBA programs has traditionally been the ability to complete an internship. The accelerated pace of a one-year program often makes this difficult. At Lehigh University, we know internships can be essential for career pivots or gaining U.S. industry experience, so we provide an extended study option that allows students to pursue them.
The accelerated full-time MBA program at Lehigh can be completed in 11 months (June to May), but students have the option to extend to an 18-month track if they wish to add a summer internship. While our 11-month degree completion track has a strong history of preparing MBA students for the workplace without requiring an internship—and we expect this to remain the most common route—we also understand the importance of flexibility. By offering an optional internship component through the 18-month program, we empower students to decide whether an internship will best support their post-MBA goals and strengthen their re-entry into the job market.
Choosing the Extended Track
Students do not have to choose between the 11-month and 18-month degree completion when they initially enroll (summer semester). The decision to extend the degree must be made by the start of the spring semester. Once a student selects the extended option, this decision cannot be reversed. Because the full-time MBA bills per credit, part of the spring tuition will be moved to the fall.
Selecting an Internship
While the Lehigh University full-time MBA program will support students searching for internships, please note that internships are not guaranteed, and the onus is on the student to secure an internship. Both domestic and international students can pursue an internship. Internships cannot count towards any concentration.
Before you accept an offer, all internships must be approved by the full-time MBA program director and/or department chairs to determine if the experience meets MBA internship guidelines and aligns with career preparation goals.
International Student Requirements (CPT)
For international students who will be working on Curricular Practical Training (CPT), or if an internship requires a domestic student to enroll in a concurrent course, you will be required to register for a 1-credit internship course and will be charged a per-credit rate for the course.
Degree Completion
Many top employers expect MBA interns to return for at least one semester after the internship because it aligns with their full-time recruiting and hiring cycles. The 18-month pathway allows students to complete a summer internship while maintaining the program’s academic sequence. Lehigh will accommodate this by deferring credits to the fall semester and extending the degree completion date to December.
