Executive MBA vs. Online MBA: Which one is better?

Doing an MBA is riveting, given the plethora of options as well as specializations available to people today.  However, amongst these pandora’s box of choices, two options stand out – the Executive MBA (EMBA) and the Online MBA. Understanding the differences between these programs is key in making an informed decision. Moreover, one has to be conscious of choosing an option in a way that it aligns with one’s career goals and personal circumstances. 

However, before jumping into the differences between an MBA and an Executive MBA, let’s first learn about the MBA degree.

MBA: An overview

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is, in essence, a highly-coveted degree in today’s age, serving as a shining stepping stone to reputable leadership positions, higher salaries, and a lucrative network of professionals. Today, several modes of an MBA are available to people seeking different niches – one can even get a degree with a dual specialization, mixing two fields in one degree so that you are able to leverage the advantages of your degree better.

What is an Executive MBA in India?

Executive MBAs (EMBAs) are designed for professionals with extensive work experience, typically mid- to senior-level managers and executives. Participants in these Executive MBA Degree programs are able to continue working while pursuing their degree, usually by taking part-time classes on weekends or evenings.

If you’re wondering what is an executive MBA program, this section is for you. An Executive MBA (EMBA), as opposed to an online MBA, is for people wanting to pursue mid-to-senior level professions. It’s an advanced program designed for professionals looking to learn more about leadership qualities, robust management techniques and those eyeing some of the top executive roles to take on more responsibilities of an organization.

Pros

• Direct application of what you learn 
• Good for professionals 
• Strategic decision-making skills imparted
• More refinement of skills achieved
• Robust networking
• More scope for employer sponsorship

Cons

• More expensive
• Higher time commitment required

What is an online MBA in India?

While traditional MBA programs are conducted on-campus in the form of regular, physical classes, online MBAs are an alternative to this system. The classes happen over the Internet so that students can study at their own pace in alignment with their personal circumstances. This works well for people who already have a lot on their plate and wish to manage to pursue an MBA alongside it – people with families, full-time jobs and other life commitments. Thus, flexibility is a strong point of online MBAs.

Pros

• Greatly flexible
• Not very costly
• More accessibility 
• Recommended for people looking to start their careers

Cons

• Less professional than the MBA Executive course
• Limited scope for networking 
• More self-discipline required

The Different Aspects of Online and Executive MBAs: A Comparison

While both these types of MBAs impart knowledge along similar lines, i.e. business administration and leadership skills, each has a different scope and impact. So, let’s evaluate aspects of both the courses in detail.

Impact on Career

Online MBA:

• Good for those looking to switch industries
• Viable if one wants to move to a new functional area within the same field
• More diverse and versatile roles’ scope

EMBA:

• For people wanting to focus on leadership 
• Management and top executive positions open up
• For people already established in their careers and wanting to move up
• Good for C-suite roles

Scope for Flexibility

Online MBA:

• More accessible
• Can learn from anywhere
• Apt for people juggling a lot of things
• Less structure, more room for accommodation of needs

EMBA:

• Very structured
• More professional
• Less scope for flexibility 

Course Details

Online MBA:

• Usually is flexible
• No need to relocate
• Lasts around 2 years typically, like a regular MBA
• Covers areas like finance, HR, marketing and strategy
• Is completely online

EMBA:

• Classes are held on the weekend or evenings
• Lasts around 18-24 months typically
• Involves class, group projects and capstone projects
• Is held in the hybrid mode

Fee Structures

Online MBA:

• Easier on the pocket
• Usually not sponsored
• Cheaper than traditional MBA
• Students get the option of continuing earning while studying

EMBA:

• More expensive due to specialized curriculum
• Good investment in one’s future 
• Not a good idea to earn while studying
• Cost justifies its experienced pool of network 
• Can also be sponsored by one’s employer

Is There an Eligibility Criteria?

Online MBA:

• A bachelor’s degree in any subject from a recognized university
• Passing an entrance exam is required
• 1-2 years of work experience (not mandatory)
• Should have some technical knowledge 

EMBA:

• A bachelor’s degree in any subject from a recognized university
• Requires GMAT/GRE scores
• 5-10 years of work experience is required

Picking Between an Executive MBA vs. MBA which is right?

While we understand the conundrum of having to make a choice between an Executive MBA vs. MBA, the final call on which one is the right fit for you is yours to make. One has to keep sight of one’s budget and life constraints. More than that, one’s personal goals and flexibility also color this decision. This subjectivity makes it difficult for an outsider to make the decision for someone else. Hence, the onus lies with you.

Why go for Online Manipal?

Online Manipal is a platform for online courses from reputable institutions like Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ). They offer different types of scholarships to students to finance their Online MBA Degree.

Online Manipal promotes accessible and affordable education by offering several bursaries to students. To learn more about these opportunities or to apply for MBA online, visit the Online Manipal website today and take your first step towards attaining desired academic heights as well as career goals.

MBA courses provided by Manipal: 

1. MBA Finance
2. MBA Marketing
3. MBA Human Resource Management
4. MBA Analytics and Data Science
5. MBA IT & FinTech
6. MBA Operations Management
7. MBA International Business
8. MBA Information System Management
9. MBA Project Management
10. MBA Supply Chain Management

The Bottom Line

An online MBA’s USP would be its flexibility while an MBA Executive course’s USP is its solid network and leadership skills imparted. Ultimately zeroing down on an Executive MBA vs regular MBA is contingent upon where one stands in his or her career path. Professional goals, personal circumstances, flexibility, cost-effectiveness and skills learnt are other factors to consider. 

If you’re looking for an MBA course that suits your requirements, go through the courses provided by Online Manipal and see what works for you. So, for a comprehensive educational experience, hop onto Online Manipal’s website today itself. Good luck applying!