Seven things that give Executive MBA an edge over full-time MBA

EMBA vs FT-MBA

Known as the watered down version of full-time MBA program, for the longest time, Executive MBA is finally gaining prominence among management aspirants and professionals.

Since the business world is moving at a rapid speed today, there are scores of professionals who are trying to keep up with the pace. For that, they are going back to school to enhance their managerial skills. Others, are looking at pursuing MBA program along with their full-time job as a better option.

Here, I have listed key features of EMBA to explain how it is a more advantageous proposition than a regular full time MBA. 

Executive MBA courses attract professionals with much more experience than a regular MBA program

Executive MBA is a perfect program for those who have already made a place for themselves in the market. EMBA programme is tailor made for professionals who have been working for a few years and who want to enhance their already acquired experience and equip themselves with latest managerial skills. These features, combined with others like flexibility and duration make EMBA an attractive option for professionals with full-time jobs.

Tips to choose the right executive MBA program

In EMBA, the emphasis is substantially more on application, as compared to regular MBA

As mentioned above, the students who opt for EMBA are working professional with considerable years of experience, the course program is designed to impart practical knowledge by focusing more on application than theory as compared to full-time MBA. Substantial conceptual preparation happens off-line as compared to regular MBA where time is also devoted to teaching concepts.

In EMBA diversity of cohort (students) matters much more than in a regular MBA class

In EMBA, students from various walks of life, bring to the classroom varied experiences and knowledge and learn from each other things they would not find in books, otherwise. According to Professor Abhijit Phadnis of IIT-Bombay, which offers an EMBA program in collaboration with Washington University in St. Louis, the emphasis is on learning from each other, whereas in MBA most learning happens from faculty members. Infact, EMBA faculty members act not as teachers but as facilitators to help the students perfect their management skills through practical knowledge and their own experiences.

IIT-Bombay Executive MBA program 2016: Last date of application June 15

Executive MBA doesn’t cause a break in your career

The greatest benefit of EMBA is that one doesn’t have to quit the job for pursuing the course. The management program is designed keeping the needs and requirements of working professionals in mind.

EMBA courses are of shorter duration than full-time MBA

Since EMBA students are working professionals with considerable experience as opposed to fresh out of college MBA students, they are on par with course material and the training imparted in a management course. EMBA program has few elective courses, the student can focus better on core elements and complete the course in less than 2 years (most of the EMBA programmes are of 15 months) even though EMBA classes are held twice or thrice a week.

EMBA institutes in India

CAT score is not mandatory for EMBA

Those who wish to pursue executive MBA, need not worry about CAT score. Most of the colleges offering EMBA accept other competitive scores like GMAT, MAT, XAT, NMAT by GMAC as well. While some institutes do not require competitive exam score at all. The only mandatory requirement is substantial amount of work experience (5-7 years).

EMBA students are better equipped to pay off education loan

Since, EMBA students are working professionals and have a steady source of income, they face no hassle in funding their education. Moreover, several organisations help their employees financially (loans, sponsorship) if they decide to undertake the course, unlike in a full time MBA which is self-funded or through bank-loans.