Future of Management Education: Full Time vs Distance Programmes

Ever since distance education and online programmes in management have started gaining popularity people have started expressing concerns or doubts about the future of classroom education. Generally, distance programmes give more flexibility to students in terms of the duration of the programmes. In many distance programmes, credits or certifications (certificate, diploma, advanced diploma and degree) are available at the end of every stage of the programme and students can decide their own pace at which they want to complete the programme. Even if they give up in between, they get at least a certificate or diploma.

These programmes are very economical as the fee is quite low as compared to full time or part time programmes offered through classroom contact.

Another important flexibility is that students can complete the programme sitting at their homes. The distance programme do not have any fixed geographical jurisdiction. Irrespective of his/her home location a student can register for the programme of any university not only in India but anywhere in the world.

Another important feature is that there is no restriction on the number of seats intake, therefore there is no competition. As long as a student is eligible for a programme he or she can get admission.

All these features do not exist in programmes which are offered through classroom contact. Therefore, many students these days prefer distance online programmes.

However, sometimes students get disillusioned by their choice of a distance programme. Therefore, they should look at every aspect before registering for any online management programme.

First of all, corporate world does not put as much premium on distance programmes as it puts on full time programmes. Therefore, many a times after completing an online MBA degree a student does not get a job as per expectations.

The credibility of the institute or university offering such programme is another important factor students should check.

Today, when the corporate world is complaining about the problem of non-employability of management graduates, online programmes are going to complicate the matter further. Many classroom programmes are not able to deliver what corporate world expects. Then how can distance programmes deliver that?

Students should keep in mind that the classroom contact programmes score over distance programmes in many areas. The most important part of the classroom education is the availability of teachers all the time. In the classrooms teachers follow different types of teaching methods like lecturing, problem solving, exercises, case discussion, role plays, group assignments, presentations, projects, simulation games etc. Students can get different type of exposure when they are on and off the campus. This is not possible in distance programmes.

Another important aspect of full time programmes is soft-skill training. Soft skills can be learnt by practising and not by studying and writing exams. This is possible only when students practice these skills under the supervision of an instructor. In fact, poor soft skills is a major complaint of the corporate world. 

Students opt for the distance programmes for various reasons but there are two main reasons. Firstly, if they cannot secure admission into a full time programme because a large number of students competing for a limited number of seats. The second reason is financial constraints because of which sometimes even good students cannot continue their studies as a regular student.

However, it is strongly suggested that students should not look at online programmes as a substitute for classroom programmes. Distance programs should be used only for upgrading knowledge. For example, if a person has already acquired his degree but wants to learn new skills because of changes and innovations at the work places or otherwise, then he/she can go for online programmes.

Students can also opt for distance programmes to obtain short term certifications in specialized fields. The inputs in these certification programmes probably may not be available in full time or part time programmes.

Another reason to pursue distance programmes is career growth as in some organizations a post graduate degree is considered to be a passport for promotions and increments. Sometimes a professional degree also helps when a person wants to change the job or career even if that degree is earned through distance programme.

Despite many limitations the demand for online programmes is steadily increasing.

Many institutes offer these programs for financial reasons. To offer online programmes these institutes have to make investment in the beginning. However, the recurring cost per student is very low. There is no restriction on the number of students for admission which is why many institutes look at these programmes as a good revenue model.

Many top grade universities offer online MBA and other programmes because of inadequate grants they get from the governments. The reason cited is to give access to more students to higher education who cannot pursue regular programmes. However, the main objective remains money.

Despite putting together a very good curriculum and study material the quality of students who are admitted and who complete the programme successfully puts a question mark on the real purpose of these programmes.   

The online programmes are certainly posing a tough competition to regular programs but institutes offering good quality regular programmes need not worry. The reason is that the regular MBA programmes go much beyond pure academic knowledge. Because of their strong foundation they will never cease to exist. As long as there is a place for emotions, positive attitude, critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, analytical skills, leadership skills etc. at the work place, the corporate world will always give preference to people who have completed full time and part time programmes.

Not because distance programme candidates do not possess these qualities but because they cannot be taught to improve these skills and put to better use in the absence classroom teaching.

This does not mean that the institutes offering regular programmes can afford to become complacent. If the regular classroom programmes have to survive and grow then they will have to bring many changes in their offerings.

• Firstly, they will have to continue to offer much more to their students than distance programmes in terms of quality and standard.
• Secondly, they will have to be more flexible in terms of duration. Students should be allowed to complete the programmes at their own pace.
• At the same time there should be a facility of ‘extra credits’ instead of ‘minimum required credits’ to complete the programme.

Full time programs can never compete with online programmes over the cost of education (at the same time distance programmes cannot compete with regular programmes when it comes to quality of education), but they should try to bring down the cost. Unfortunately, our regulatory system creates many hurdles for full time programmes.

If they are given some liberty, full time programmes can try to find out alternative sources of revenue. This will help them bring down the cost of education.

About the Author: Dinesh D Harsolekar is the Director of Indian Education Society’s Management College and Research Centre, Bandra (W), Mumbai. He has about 35 years of industrial, teaching, research and academic administrative experience and has held various academic positions in the capacity of Senate Member at SNDT Women’s University and Chairman at Ad-hoc Board of Studies in Finance, Management Faculty University of Mumbai.