Map Your Way to Management Education

Getting a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is an exceptional way to advance in your career. With the changing times, delivery of management education has also evolved over the years. Now, there are different types of MBAs that you can pursue depending on your needs and suitability. A full-time MBA can be different from an online MBA; however, they inculcate similar knowledge and management skills in a student.

If you have decided to pursue MBA – whether to switch career, get a promotion at your current job or accomplish a goal of pursuing higher education, different categories of MBA will help you through it all.

Different Roads – One Destination

Regular, full-time MBA/PGDM

A regular/full-time MBA is the most widely available two-year programme. Numerous traditional institutes offer this full-time programme. In the first year, it is dedicated to introducing the students to a core set of business fundamentals including accounting, operations, finance and marketing. While in the second year, students get the freedom to choose focus area based on their specific interests. Furthermore, reputed institutions like Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other autonomous institutes offer Post Graduate Diploma (PGDM) or Post Graduate Programme Management (PGPM). These management courses are considered equal to an MBA. An MBA degree is more theory based and examination-oriented, while PGDM/PGPM focuses on industry-oriented education and sharpening of soft skills.

Executive MBA

Executive MBA or EMBA programme typically are meant for mid to senior level managers and is designed to build executive leadership skills. EMBA is tailor-made for managers with at least 7 years of work experience, who plan to enhance their education without disrupting their current jobs. It is also meant for those who seek promotion in current profile or want to explore other profiles. The delivery time of this is course is generally one year and can be pursued full-time or as an online course. Classes for this programme are majorly conducted over the weekends.

Online MBA

Many business schools have recognized unique needs of aspirants and rising demand of distance education; and are now offering online MBA programme. It has grown exponentially and has proved to be helpful for the ones who cannot pursue regular/full-time. Online MBA consists of a virtual classroom that you can attend any time from the comfort of your home. Such classes provide pre-recorded/live lectures, presentations by experts and renowned faculty, exhaustive study materials, up-to-date curriculum, online assignments and much more. However, to complete an online MBA, it is imperative to maintain self-discipline and time-management. There are people who have reservations related to the credibility of online MBA; however, with time it has gained popularity.

Part-time MBA

Part-time MBA is designed for working professionals who wish to pursue higher education. Such programme is generally held during evenings after working hours or weekends. Since it has a limited time structure, it involves intense and tightly packed classes. The duration of part-time MBA is usually 2-3 years or even more. It is a popular course among executives, who do not wish to take a break from their jobs and are ready to squeeze in time for their education. Internships in this programme are not a part of the curriculum. It is important to earn a part-time MBA degree through an accreditated business school.

Correspondence/Distance Learning MBA

Distance learning MBA is different from an online MBA programme; the latter requires students to attend classes at some time during their studies. A major portion of time goes in to learning from pre-recorded videos/live lectures, teleconferencing and others. Many distance-learning programmes require the participants to organize meetings with their ‘online’ classmates, which are held on weekends.  There are various universities and institutes offering distance-learning MBA in India.

You are the tailor of your career; you have the choice to alter it according to your need. However, this decision of choosing the right type of MBA will be based on many circumstances like – Can you balance work with education? What are your career goals? Are you financially stable? Although there are many roads to MBA; there is one destination- a successful career in management leading you to become a trailblazer!