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MBA Study Options
- Full-time vs Part-time: Full-time MBA programs
typically run from 10 months to 2 years and involve about 3
to 6 hours of classes per day. Students are encouraged to spend
about 3 hours studying for each class per day (even though this
is not realistic).
Part-time MBA programs typically run anywhere from 3 to 5 years
and involve about 6 hours of classes per week, plus time studying
outside classes. These programs are intended for people who
do not want to quit their jobs while pursuing an MBA. The
only reason anyone should opt for the part-time MBA option is
if he/she has absolutely no means of financing the full-time
program and providing for his/her indepence. The Return
On Investment (ROI) of the full-time MBA program is usually
high enough that you will be able to repay any type of loan
within 4 years (see ROI for further details).
- MBA vs EMBA: The regular MBA program is intended
for people in the 25 – 35 age group, who have anywhere
between 2 - 10 years of work experience. Typically, these people
have never been in a management position but would like to position
themselves to be in one if and when the opportunity arises down
the road.
The Executive MBA (EMBA) is intended for people of more mature
age group (35+) who have 10+ years of working experience and
are already in a management role. EMBA programs are designed
for people who do not have a lot of time, therefore classes
are usually held about twice a month and on the weekends.
In the past, EMBA’s were typically paid for by the student’s
employer, however nowadays many students are opting to pay
for these programs out of their own pocket in order to gain
access to the potential opportunities that present themselves
upon graduation without being tied to the organization (see
ROI for EMBA below).
- In-class vs Online: All of the MBA options
above apply to the traditional MBA program where students are
required to attend classes. In today’s world, there is
also the option of doing an Online MBA by using a computer with
an internet connection. For the Online MBA option, students
still work in groups, only they use email and Chatrooms and
Postings to co-ordinate team work.
Typically, the graduating salaries of an Online MBA are not
as high as for regular MBA's. The reason for this devaluation
is that most employers consider the Online MBA as more of
a management certificate than an actual master’s degree.
If you have no option but to get an Online MBA, then the best
thing to do would be to omit any non-essential information
that would imply you earned the degree online from your resume.
Agree? Disagree? Or simply want to add your 2 cents? Share your
opinion on the Why
do an MBA? Discussion Board.
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