The questions everyone asks first.
Straight answers on money, time, the apprenticeship, and who this is for. If yours isn't here, bring it to an info session.
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Join an info sessionIs tuition really paid back to me?
You pay $475 a month for 20 months, $9,500 total. During your full-time apprenticeship you are paid at a rate of no less than $50,000 per year, depending on placement, so over two to four months you earn back your tuition and then some. You graduate owing nothing.
What does the apprenticeship pay?
Apprenticeships are full-time, paid roles with employer partners. Pay is set by the employer at a rate of no less than $50,000 per year and is shared with you before you're matched.
What is the two-year commitment?
After graduation you commit to two years of work with the employer partner who hosted your apprenticeship. They invested in you by subsidizing your degree; you begin the next chapter of your career with them.
What if I leave my employer before two years?
Your two-year agreement will be with the employer, not with Polymath, so specific terms will be unique to every employer. That said, if you leave before your commitment is fulfilled, you should expect to pay back a portion of the employer's $9,500 investment in your education.
Do I have to quit my job?
Not during coursework. Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, live and online, about ten hours a week plus homework and project time. The apprenticeship at the end is full-time and paid, so that's when you make the move. For teachers who are committed through June of the next school year, your apprenticeship can be designed to start in July.
When does it start and how long does it take?
The first cohort begins in January 2027. Fourteen 8-week courses run through May 2028, then a two-to-four month full-time apprenticeship. You graduate in August 2028, twenty months after you start.
Is this a real, accredited MBA?
Yes. The Pivot MBA is designed and delivered by Polymath Institute in partnership with Defiance College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Defiance College is a private, nonprofit college founded in Defiance, Ohio in 1850. You earn a fully accredited Master of Business Administration.
Is the PMP exam really included?
Yes. Project Management (BUS 555) prepares you to sit for the PMI Project Management Professional exam in your first term, and the exam fee is covered by the degree. Passing it is not required to graduate.
What if I'm not matched to an apprenticeship?
Matching begins in your first year and we work with you throughout. Every student is placed before the apprenticeship term begins in May, June, or July 2028.
Who is in my cohort?
Twenty people, the same twenty in every class for twenty months. Experienced professionals from fields like K-12 education, the military, and public service, all moving into healthcare administration. You leave with a network, not just a transcript.
Do I need a business background or the GMAT?
No. We're looking for five or more years of professional experience and a clear reason to pivot. There is no GMAT requirement.
How do I apply?
Come to an info session, then submit a short application. We'll schedule a conversation to learn more about you and answer any questions after that.
