Is an Executive MBA program better than Part-time MBA
Executive MBA Programs -Introduction. What is Executive MBA ?
Value addition through Executive MBA – Why to Join ?
Vision of a Business School for Working Executives
EXECUTIVE MBA – How to Evaluate Bussiness Schools ?
An MBA degree with relevant work experience sounds good!!!!! That’s precisely what an Executive MBA is. The Executive MBA or EMBA is designed specifically to enhance the careers of working business professionals, managers and executives. The EMBA is usually geared towards professionals who are looking to update the general management skills and prepare themselves for career advancement opportunities. It’s different from Part-time MBA, especially because here you get the benefit of both full time MBA curriculum and enriching work experience. Preference is mostly given to a person having 5-10 yrs experience rather than one working for 3-4 yrs. This is mainly because Executive MBA is only of 1 year, so you really need to have enough work experience to get 1year waived off.
What really sets the executive MBA apart from many other MBA programs is the level of experience and insights that students bring to the program. In most EMBA programs students’ professional experience and expertise becomes an integral part of the curriculum. Your valuable experiences in your job career are discussed and these become the Real Time Case Studies. Whatever hurdles you have come across are also being analyzed and what better solution could have been possible is discussed. People coming from various sectors and domains come together sharing each other’s thoughts and processes. Learning is primarily focused on practical knowledge through discussions, seminars, case studies etc.
So what is being taught at an Executive MBA Program?
The emphasis is on general management training, increased competence in management specialties, management of international businesses, organizational and interpersonal skills and sophisticated understanding of the integration of businesses and their environments. As far as courses are concerned, they are normally the same as those taught in traditional MBA programs- Accounting, Finance, Statistics, Marketing, Information systems to name a few. However, Executive MBA courses are enhanced by the extensive professional experience of the participants and are uniquely structured to teach a maximum amount of course material in an accelerated timetable.
Factors Affecting Selection of Candidates
A number of factors are considered in selecting candidates for an Executive MBA program. In most cases, each applicant is evaluated on his or her own professional performance, academic records, GMAT/CAT or other equivalent scores, professional recommendations and a demonstrated ability to accomplish graduate-level business coursework. An undergraduate degree is generally required, though it need not be a degree in business. Evaluation of students for admission to an Executive MBA program is a very individualized process. While test scores, grade point averages and other objective criteria are all considered, a prospective student’s background, work experience, career goals, desire to succeed and numerous other factors are considered in making an admission decision.
Now the inevitable question: Is an Executive MBA program better than Part-time MBA?
If you are having more than 6 years of work experience, you can go for Executive MBA from any distinguished B-School in the country. Executive MBAs give an edge over normal MBAs as this program is specially designed for middle level executives already having strong experience in their domain. Business strategies and leadership skills are main focus in this mode of MBA. EMBA is meant for professionals who have more working experience and who are already successful in their careers in the organizations.
Personally I feel, if you are having an adequate experience, you should go for an EMBA degree rather than enroll yourself for a Part-time course. In a Part-time course, there is the chance of you getting complacent since, this is not a full-time course and you may not be able to continue the course for 3 yrs at a stretch along with your work. So better, work a little harder for 1 year and relish the fruits of success for the next 30 years.