MBA vs. Executive MBA: What’s the Difference?

MBA Vs. EMBA – An Overview

Before you decide what to do after graduation, you need to know what options you have for higher education. A postgraduate course can do a world of good for your career and put you on the fast-track to success. Two of the best postgraduate courses you can do after graduation is an MBA and an Executive MBA. Now, you might think that one is better than the other, but the truth is that both have similar values. What sets them apart is their parameters and delivery. You have to choose between the two based on your need.

What is a Regular MBA?

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a 2-year postgraduate management degree course. This degree teaches students all aspects involved in running a successful business and makes students eligible to get a managerial job in the industry they specialise for. The MBA degree is one of the most popular postgraduate degree courses in the country.

Also Read: MBA: Specializations, Eligibility, Fees, Scope, Opportunities & Benefits

What is an Executive MBA (EMBA)?

The Executive MBA (EMBA) is a degree for working professionals. This degree is designed for people who are currently employed but would like to get ahead in their careers in managerial and administrative positions. The course is a 2-year degree course, but there are shorter versions as well and can be easily done part-time. The Executive MBA is quite popular with working professionals.

Difference Between MBA and Executive MBA

Though it may sound like the degrees are the same and the EMBA might be the advanced version, the truth is that none is better than the other. But there are a few differences that separate these degrees.

Lets take a look at what these differences are between MBA and EMBA:

1. Admission Parameters

To get admission into an MBA degree course, you need to be a graduate with 50% or more as your graduation score. You also need to clear a competitive entrance exam to get admission. Some private colleges may grant direct admission.

The parameters for admission in an EMBA course are also similar to the MBA, but there are some added conditions. Students need to have a minimum of 2 years working experience in a management position. Some colleges ask for 5 years’ work experience. The job needs to be a full-time job as no college accepts part-time work as work experience.

2. Schedule & Study Durations

The MBA degree requires your full attention. During the day, students attend classes and during their free time, they finish their homework and class assignments. These assignments carry a lot of weightage and affect your final grade.

The EMBA is a part-time course. Since it is a course only for working professionals, it has been designed in a way to accommodate their busy workdays. The course could be done online, during the evenings after work or during the weekends. EMBA students have to work hard to make time for studies as they are busy with their jobs.

3. Curriculum

In the MBA curriculum, you get the benefit of a lot more electives and specialisations. Students can dedicate all of their time to the course, so they can take a lot more workload. The core management education remains the same in both courses.

The EMBA has only a few electives, but the course work is intensive. They have to get more done in less time, so the options are few but education is a lot more concentrated. EMBA also has other specialised options not available in an MBA.

4. Fees

The fees for the MBA course are a lot higher compared to the EMBA because it’s a proper full-time course taught in a college in classrooms. There are other costs as well like laptops and additional study materials for the extra electives that add to the cost of the course.

The EMBA course is a lot more affordable owing to lesser subjects, and online classes and study materials. Theres also an added advantage of the company you are working in bearing the costs of the course. Many companies send their deserving employees for such courses and foot the bill.

5. ROI

Both degrees give a substantial boost to students careers. Most MBA graduates most likely start fresh, and start at a lower salary. But this salary figure will get a higher with a good year-on-year increase, resulting in MBA graduates making an excellent living.

EMBA graduates are already getting a full-time salary while studying so the raise they get may not be as high as an MBA graduate, but it is still a good one. Plus, with the already high salary amount owing to their job and experience, it all adds up to be a good figure.

6. Networking

This is such an important differentiator in both the courses. The MBA course provides an excellent student experience. This is the course where the students are young and tend to make connections with other students. MBA graduates also get a chance to network with alumni through their college.

The EMBA graduates are already working, so the networking opportunities are a lot better in their course. They can truly benefit from professionally networking with each other and the alumni of their college who can bring in opportunities once the course is done.

7. Differences in Additional Costs

Additional costs are costs incurred other than the course fees and, in this regard, the MBA course has more such costs. Hostel fees, travel costs, cafeteria and canteen expenses, and fees for extracurricular activities amount quite a substantial amount.

The EMBA has very few additional costs, if any. If students have to attend classes, they look for EMBA courses in the city they live in, so no question of shifting cities. If the course is online, the only costs they incur is of a good quality laptop and internet connection.

8. Career Goals

The career goals for both degrees are similar but the path to those goals is different. MBA students looking to get into strong management positions once they finish their education and start working. Their main career goal is to make a strong career in the field they specialise in, and get a good salary and benefits.

EMBA students also aim for a career in the best management positions. However, during the course, they are already working in a managerial position. So, why the need for an EMBA? Such students’ career goal is to gain knowledge that only an EMBA course can bring, so they can work better and attain an even better position than their current one.

Benefits of Both: Regular MBA & EMBA

Another way to differentiate between an MBA and EMBA is knowing their benefits. Though there are some similar benefits, each one has a few varying benefits that are differentiating factors between the two. These benefits will also help you assess which course is the right one for you.

A) Benefits of Regular MBA

• You can do the MBA course right after your graduation. Its just a 2-year course, so you can start your career soon.
• An MBA course is excellent for developing your personality. You will gain new skills and a better insight into yourself.
• An MBA also makes you a more employable professional. With this degree, you will get a competitive edge.
• You are sure to improve upon your communication skills and these skills are handy not just in your professional life, but in your personal as well.
• MBA graduates also enjoy job security thanks to the marketable skills gained during the course.

Also Read: 15 Reasons Why You Should Consider MBA Degree

B) Benefits of Executive MBA (EMBA)

• This is a complete value for money course that gives you more benefits than the time and money invested.
• Its convenient. Its a course for working professionals, so has been designed to match busy schedules.
• EMBA gets you the opportunity to get ahead in your existing career. This is the ideal course for stagnating careers.
• You can also look for better jobs in bigger organisations. If you are doing this course with your resources, you should definitely get a better job.
• Network for benefits. The EMBA course is excellent for networking and you can bring in better opportunities for your organisation through your networking.

MBA or EMBA: Which One’s Right for You?

The MBA course is right for you if you want a jumpstart on your career and start at the managerial level and gain great leadership and communication skills.

The EMBA course is right for you if you want to get ahead in your current job, or if you want to gain experience in the professional world first and then get a management degree.

If you want to get all the benefits mentioned above and from an MBA, join the MBA course offered at ASMs Institute of Business Management & Research. Its one of the most competitive MBA courses in India. Fill out the enquiry forms on our website or give a call to the counsellors. Hurry, and enquire today.