MBA Or Executive MBA: Which One’s Right For You?

This is a very common dilemma among students and especially among working professionals. There are hundreds of top business schools around the globe that offer both MBA and EMBA programs, before students make a decision of one over the other, it is essential to consider how they differ. Commonly, the EMBA (Executive Master of Business Administration) is misconstrued to be a superior form of MBA study. However, in reality, the two programs hold equal value on graduation. What differentiates is the purpose and delivery format, leading to two entirely different experiences.

Admissions Requirements
The two degrees are catered to two different classes of professionals at different stages in their career and, therefore, have different admission criteria. EMBAs are focused MBA programs designed for managers with vast work experience – usually 10 to 15 years – so EMBA candidates differentiate themselves against other applicants by their range of experience and quality of their prior work. Candidates who apply for EMBA are expected to have acquired extensive business knowledge during the course of their career. Some of the schools do not even require standardized entrance exam scores like GMAT or GRE aimed at EMBA applicant.

On the other hand, for full-time MBA study, more emphasis is placed on entrance exam scores like GMAT & GRE scores along with application essays, statement of purpose & language proficiency test scores like IELTS or TOEFL to help differentiate candidates during the selection process. When it comes to work experience, it is most common to find that top business schools will look for between three and five years of prior work experience, although this can vary depending on where in the world you wish to study.

Both MBA and EMBA programs from top-ranked schools require at least one, (LOR) letter of recommendation for admissions. For the executive MBA, proof that the applicant has support from their current employer in pursuing the degree is especially important, as work-study balance will impact the candidate’s success in the program (and at work).

Program Duration, Pace and Curriculum
The duration of both a full-time MBA and an executive MBA will vary by school, the distinction remains that, the EMBA is part time and designed to accommodate working professionals. EMBA students, stay in their current positions on a full-time basis with some of the learning taking place by online or in-person program structure.

In terms of pace, EMBA students have shorter, more intense interval program than their MBA counterparts to minimize distraction from their regular work schedules. Full-time MBA students, by comparison, have such demanding schedules that maintaining any job outside the program is discouraged.

Fees and Return on Investment
Generally, many EMBA candidates may receive full scholarship for their program tuition by their employer. While this form of sponsorship continues, recently more students have gone for self-funded EMBA program courses and this has meant that more schools now offer EMBA scholarships. Those students who are company-funded might be required to commit to the company for a few years upon completion of their degree.

In stark contrast, full-time MBAs are usually self-funded, with the addition of sponsored students. There are therefore a wide variety of scholarships available to students through private companies and organizations as well as the schools themselves.

Both MBA & EMBA have good return on investment in varying degrees, MBAs, by comparison – have much more to gain as they tend to be earlier on in their careers and quickly get promoted to senior positions in the company once graduated.

Whether students opt for an EMBA or an MBA depends majorly on their circumstances. While there is no general rule applicable, EMBA applicants tend to be older and looking to enrich their existing knowledge with tangible, immediate takeaways. By contrast, full-time MBA applicants are usually at an earlier phase in their career and may focus on upskilling and exploring new career opportunities.

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