MBAs have become more of a status indicator than just another degree you could get these days. People from many fields other than management, be it arts, marketing, engineering, law and even military can be seen opting for an MBA late into their career. That shouldn’t be surprising, considering the push an MBA can give to any professional in their respective careers.
Since you’re already reading, we’d like to assume that you’ve come across (maybe done a lil’ research too!) about the Executive MBA program and probably think it is a good choice for you. Well, you’re in luck because we will be talking about the next logical step in this blog – choosing the right Executive MBA course for the specific career goals you have in mind! Read on to take advantage of this comprehensive guide to solving all your Executive MBA-related queries.
Table of Contents
Executive MBA Overview
Executive MBAs are just one type of MBA among many others. As the name suggests, these courses are specifically designed to cater to working individuals, who cannot take much time off from their daily jobs. Often called EMBA, these courses have very flexible schedules, with most of the classes being on weeknights and weekends. This allows people who opt for this course to still have a personal life while simultaneously juggling work and study.
We have provided a table below that details the features of Executive MBA programs in general.
| Course Name | Executive MBA (Master of Business Administration) |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Duration | 1 – 3 years |
| Types | Full-time, Part-time, Online |
| Eligibility Criteria | Graduation + minimum specified work experience |
| Average Course Fee | INR 4 -15 Lakhs |
| Admission Process | Entrance Examination |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 9 – 14 Lakhs |
| Top Recruiters | Banks, Private Firms, Hotels, Online Shopping Portals, etc. |
Also Read : Exploring the Different MBA Programs offered by Universal Business School
Eligibility Criteria and Admission Process
The common eligibility criteria for all EMBA programs is that the applicant should be a graduate. Now, different colleges and universities have different optional admission criteria which they select at their discretion. These may include a minimum work experience requirement, or passing an entrance test, or anything else too.
At Universal Business School – one of the best B-schools in the country, scorecards of various national-level entrance examinations like CAT(Common Admission Test), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), C-MAT (Common Management Admission Test), MH-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) are accepted for admission to their Executive MBA courses. Other than that, you also need to:
- Submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Submit 2 letters of recommendation (LORs)
- Have at least 2 years of management experience.
What is difference between MBA and Executive MBA
There are a few differences between traditional and executive MBAs but they are not so huge. Just like MBAs have specializations, EMBAs do too and the syllabi of these specializations hardly differ, if ever. The difference is that EMBA classes are often taken for longer hours, shortening the time taken by busy professionals to complete the course.
The table below highlights some of the main differences between programs of MBA and Executive MBA in India.
| Master of Business Administration(MBA) Program | Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) Program |
| Wider target audience – Anyone with a Graduate Degree can pursue | EMBAs are targeted toward working individuals |
| They are less expensive comparatively | EMBAs are mostly quite expensive |
| MBAs are usually longer, taking 2-5 years | EMBAs are shorter in duration, with most programs taking under 2 years to complete |
| Best for those who want to break into management in their industry or graduates who want to start their career with a management role in the industry of their choice | Best for executives who want to break into senior management in their firm or industry, or pivot to a new career in a different area. |
| Usually, the students pay tuition for this program themselves or by using scholarships and loans, or a combination of the above. | If you inform your employer about your decision to pursue an EMBA and sell them on how it will benefit their organization, your employer may sponsor a part (sometimes even all of it!) of your tuition costs. |
Here is a comparison of the average fees across different types of MBA programs in some of the most famous B-schools internationally.
(Source: savingtoinvest.com)
How to Pick the Program Most Suited to Your Needs and Goals
Let us now look at some of the key things to keep in mind while doing your research to find the perfect best Executive MBA course for you.
- Certifications and Accreditations: Make sure to note what certifications you want, and if the EMBA program offers the same or similar certifications. The same goes for accreditations too – is the program accredited by the proper institutions to be valid worldwide?
- Program Cost: The fee for Executive MBA programs are generally very high, and require a big investment. If your employer doesn’t agree to help you out, make sure to not go over budget if you have responsibilities towards family.
- Duration and Time Demands: Choose an EMBA that doesn’t overextend you in terms of waking hours. Sleep is important too.
Program Objectives: Make sure the goals of what the program teaches and what you want to learn are aligned with each other.
Best Executive MBA Programs
We have already given you a glimpse into the top EMBA programs in foreign countries. So, the graph below details some of the best EMBA programs provided by some of the top B-schools in the country, including the best college for BBA and MBA in India.
(Source: Self-Made)
Also Read:What to expect from an International MBA program?
Conclusion
With this guide to best practices for choosing an Executive MBA program, whether it is in a college in India, or abroad, we hope you’ll have no problem picking the perfect one for your needs.
FAQs
- How much does the EMBA program cost at Universal Business School?
The EMBA program at Universal Business School, Mumbai, will cost you about INR 5-7 lakhs, depending on the specialization you choose.
- What are some of the best specializations in an Executive MBA course?
Some of the best Executive MBA specializations that anyone can opt for include Global Management & Leadership, Finance, Online Marketing, Global Management & Leadership, etc.
- Should I attend physical classes or choose a full online Executive MBA?
Online courses take longer but do not have the hassle of traveling as attending physical classes. However, Attending physical classes also helps you learn soft skills quickly, which online courses can’t help you much with, if at all. Choose according to your needs.
- What are some of the common job roles I could get with an EMBA?
Some of the common job roles you could get with an EMBA are Marketing and Sales Executive, Brand Executive, Quality Control Manager, etc.
- Is it worth doing Executive MBA?
If you want a flourishing career with a handsome salary and international exposure, an Executive MBA is ideal for you. It prepares you to handle all sorts of business problems and business management plans at a global level.
- What is Executive MBA salary?
The average salary package of an Executive MBA degree holder is between 12 to 40 LPA. With more working experience, your salary will increase and reach around 20-60 LPA. - Is Executive MBA for 2 years?
Executive MBA in India is a full-time degree course with 2 years duration. The program is divided into 4 semesters. And during the final semester, students get placement through a college placement drive.
