What's The Real Difference Between An MBA And An EMBA

If you've ever performed a quick Google search for an MBA or an EMBA, you'll have noticed that there are hundreds of accredited programs offered for both in various business schools around the world. Yet many fledgling students still aren't exactly sure what the difference is between the two.

An MBA is a Masters of Business Administration, while an EMBA is an Executive Masters of Business Administration.

The mistake aspiring students tend to make at this point is they assume that the EMBA is superior to the MBA. In reality, they are pretty much equal in terms of their value to the person with the right profile.

Here are a few of the differences between the two.

The Costs
Let's face it, one of the biggest things we take into consideration when applying for a postgraduate program is the cost.

If you choose to study an MBA, it's typically up to you to front the tuition fees. Some business school's will offer financial aid, and if you have the right profile you may be able to score a full or partial scholarship.

An EMBA, meanwhile, might not cost you a cent. Often, your employer will cover your tuition fees - or at least most of them. Why? Because your employer stands to reap just as many benefits from your EMBA as you.

And despite your employer fronting up your tuition fees, they will also keep paying you a salary as you study.

The Average Age
You know the old saying "you're never too old to go back to school"? Well, it's true.

While MBA programs tend to be mostly populated with younger students on the cusp of a huge career, the average age of EMBA students is between 32 and 38.

This is because MBA students tend to be fresh out of university and haven't yet settled into a chosen career path. Whereas EMBA students typically have at least five years' managerial experience and are sent to business school by their employers.

Look at it like this: MBA students are the bright young things who are still a bit green, while EMBA students are the valuable "rock star" executives who their companies cannot afford to lose. And so they make an investment in their executives by packing them off to business school while paying their salary in full.

The Demographics
MBA and EMBA programs attract people who are at different stages of their career. Therefore, the composition of the classes is usually very different.

Students embarking on an MBA aren't always 100% sure what they want to do post-graduation. Students pursuing an Executive Masters of Business Administration, meanwhile, are already settled into a career.

So while an EMBA class might be composed of high-achieving managers and leaders who have already worked for the military or government, an MBA class will likely be composed of fledgling young people who aspire to work in business or find their niche as an entrepreneur.

As mentioned, the average age of EMBA students is much higher than MBA students.

The Duration
Traditionally, an MBA has always been a two-year program that can be lengthened out to four years if you take it part-time. Today, one-year program is becoming increasingly popular, especially in Europe.

One-year programs have their advantages. Students get to fast track their course and enter the corporate world at least a year sooner. This means they don't have to fall too far behind their peers who have already found full-time work.

The obvious downside is the workload. Studying a one-year program inevitably means it will be more intense, and your time to network and join in extra-curricular activities might be more limited.

The Work Load
If you choose to study an MBA or an EMBA full-time, you will have to find a way of balancing your intensive schedules.

EMBA students find it a lot easier to balance work with studying because they already have a job (which they get to keep). Usually, their classes are on Friday nights and at the weekend. MBA students, conversely, go to school during the week and there is very little respite. Maintaining a job outside the program is difficult, if not impossible.

Are you planning on pursuing an MBA or an EMBA? What is driving your choice?

Gretchen is an author, blogger and entrepreneur with a penchant for baking. She is passionate about communication,continued learning and connecting people. You can follow her on Twitter: @shawgret



 By Gretchen Shaw



Article Source: What's The Real Difference Between An MBA And An EMBA