Executive MBA vs the regular MBA program: Does it matter?
E-MBA (The executives career choice)
E-MBA is a type of MBA designed for full time employed executives. These professionals choose the Executive MBA program over traditional MBA coursework, and remain more focused on the specific area of business.
In India, The duration of Executive MBA program is similar to the regular one yet a few of the above stated professionals prefer to adopt this program in place of a regular MBA program due to resource constraint. In India, all major universities offer Executive MBA course. Some universities like ICFAI University, Madras University, Amity University, etc. Even offer an MBA through distance learning process.
Also this type of course (E-MBA) is suitable for the managers along with assistant managers, who already enjoy holdings of middle level position. These professionals work to enhance and upgrade their managerial skills through the course. An Executive MBA from IIM is worth considering for it can increase chances of securing a higher designation/role in the present organization (immediately after completion).
These type of Students focus on the practical approach and abilities needed in the workplace with the sole aim to develop better leadership abilities for future executive roles. (Hence an E-MBA is also a good development function to train your future leaders).
Since the students of this program already carry a work experience, hence the syllabus mobilises at a faster pace of learning. This means in comparison to a standard MBA program, it has more advanced look at the topics like marketing, human resources, strategy formulation, finance, etc.
Thus, E-MBA program are designed to provide a networking experience while emphasizing the need for development of team working skills. An E-MBA student usually tends to be a professional in late 30s who can handle challenging syllabi. Ambitious people benefit from Executive MBA especially if employer offers it as a development training or provides incentives to sponsor the degree.
The classes are held in evening or weekend as most of the EMBA students work on full-time basis. This means one doesnt have to take leave days and even sustains income as well as work life.
However, you need minimum of bachelors degree from a recognized university as well as five years of experience.
Regular MBA vs E-MBA: Decoding the dilemma
Both MBA and Executive MBA are good options but for a relatively different type of audiences. Students opt for an MBA or an EMBA depending on their job circumstances. Full-time MBA applicants seek an immediate career shift or a leadership experience for advancement.
However a few differences exist which are described as below:
- The regular MBA degree is suitable for a person who has completed his graduate degree recently and wishes to make a career transition in management or entrepreneurship. Thus a Full-time MBA student has jam packed schedule, making it impossible to maintain a job.
- An EMBA curriculum covers fewer electives and students are expected to take the majority of classes together. Further few may be able to cope with the dual load of job and study. Majority of EMBA students’ tuition fee are covered by employers. This is win win choice for both employee and employer who benefit from the new skills. However, self-funded candidates who will be earning a full-time salary while studying are making the financial shortcut.
- In contrast, MBAs are self-funded and are associated with higher charges than E-MBA.
- If the student seeks an immersive and optimal experience they should definitely apply for regular MBA. This opens the vistas to co-curricular and extracurricular activities – including clubs, conferences, group discussions, brainstorming sessions, industrial visits, research experience, focus groups and student managed events, thereby creating a large network of ideal (and well placed) friends in different sectors.
- An E-MBA is mistaken for being a superior version the regular MBA. However it is not so. A regular program provides for better placement as well as faculty interactions. Further the constant emphasis on learning through assignments raise the knowledge base of business growth. Thus, this MBA is an immersive experience requiring total commitment and strives to adopt organizational excellence.
- In an MBA program, you gain the opportunities to apply the theory learnt in class by practical question sessions or projects.But With an E-MBA, you can apply the skills learnt at the weekend directly in the workplace thereby giving very immediate and actual view of learning human and material resource management.