Executive MBA vs. Distance MBA - With the penetration of technology in India at a more rapid pace than ever, the enrollment in higher education courses, especially MBA, is also increasing at a fast pace. While there are newer B-schools coming up in various cities and offering high-quality executive MBA and distance MBA courses, the demand for online and distance education MBA programs is also on a rise in almost all areas of specialisation in management education.

Also Check: Distance MBA vs Full Time MBA

However, most of the MBA aspirants have the same question when it comes to the choice of the most suitable program according to their education, experience, and future career goals. Whether aspirants want to take up an HR specialisation or a finance specialisation, they want to understand the difference an executive MBA and a distance MBA can cause to their professional career after course completion. Let us sort out this confusion with some important considerations MBA aspirants must take into account before making a choice of the right MBA program and mode of education.

What are Executive MBA and Distance MBA Programs?

As several management institutions like the IIMs have adopted the word ‘executive’ in their new and traditional management education programs, it has become confusing for working executives to understand the meaning of executive MBA itself. In fact, many institutions have come up with full-time MBA courses of a year’s duration. However, these do not become executive MBA, just because these are one-year programs. The same is the case when working professionals perceive some programs as executive MBA, simply based on the course requirements for enrolling students to have work experience.

Executive MBA:

An executive MBA program is a course designed only for ‘working executives’ who want to pursue MBA while working full-time in their companies. There can be different modes of taking up the executive MBA program. While some individuals take up a part-time executive MBA course, some others opt for an evening, online, or distance learning executive MBA course. Most of the executive MBA programs demand 5-6 years of relevant work experience or more, depending on specific institutional requirements.

Distance MBA:

On the other hand, a distance MBA program may not necessarily aim at educating working executives. Those who are working, as well as those who have graduated and possessing no work experience, can take up distance MBA. Still, there are distance MBA programs designed exclusively for executives who may or may not be working currently, but who have prior work experience of at least 3 years in the relevant domain. This duration of the required work experience may vary from one institution to another.

How to Choose between Executive MBA and Distance MBA?

If you are an MBA aspirant, then you may need to consider some critical factors while making a choice between an executive and a distance MBA program. Here are some major factors that should drive your decision:

Career Opportunities:

While most of the institutions may not support you with corporate placements when you do distance MBA with them, you can have bright career opportunities after taking up this program, especially the one designed for executives with prior work experience. It gives you an edge when it is time to move up the corporate ladder. With executive MBA, you excel in your niche area after gaining exceptional professional expertise and the avenues grow largely for you. You enrich your existing work experience, anticipate faster promotions, and grow towards leadership positions. You can even apply directly for higher positions in companies or can start your own firm.

Also Discover:

Executive MBA vs. Full Time MBA

Placement Scope after Executive MBA

Tagged in MAT MAT test pattern MAT exam AIMA MAT exam structure

Like us on :