I was thinking about what different names part-time MBA programs go by. The most obvious generic name describing the essense of these programs is obviously plain and simple, no thrills – part-time MBA. But, of course, the Business Schools would want to differentiate themselves from each other and to emphasize distinctive features of part-time programs vs full-time programs at the same school.
The distinction is, no doubt, a marketing tool to target a specific group of people who otherwise would not be able or considering to pursue the MBA degree. That’s why instead of just seeing “part-time MBA program” in the offerings of any business schools you are more likely to run into derivatives of that term with various levels of creativity and fanciness.
Here is just the list of the titles I ran into which stand for part-time MBA programs in various Business Schools:
- Part-time MBA – boring!!!
- Evening MBA – gives you an idea that you don’t have to give up on your day job
- Weekend MBA – same as above, mostly used in reference to Accelerated programs
- Part-time Evening MBA – plain vanilla with a sprinkle of utility
- Flex(ible) MBA – flex appeal
- Professional MBA - adds some flavor and somewhat boosts applicant’s self-esteem
- MBA Lite (according to WSJ)
- Accelerated MBA – part-time on steroids
Another derivative used in describing part-time programs:
- MBA for Working Professionals – usually attached to part-time title to give some kind of re-assurance and validation to prospective students
And the Grand Prize for creativity goes to the writing staff of Businessweek. In their recent review/ranking of part-time MBA programs they came up with the latest and freshest (the question still remains if it is the bestest) nickname – ”Spare-time MBA”.
As you can see the names are different, but as the former president used to say: ‘Make no mistake’, they are all the same titles for good old ‘part-time MBA’. In order to see the difference in those programs you need to go beyond the name and research specific programs of interest in depth on your own.
The research should include the materials available on the web, visiting campus, attending information sessions, talking to current students, and whatever else you can employ in order to get beyond the marketing ploys, and find the perfect match for your personal situation.
Shortly after I set my sight on getting an MBA degree, and started doing prelimenary research, I realized that part -time MBA programs come in more than one flavor. They are all similar in that you do not have to interrupt your career (if it is indeed a career, not just a job) or even leave a job ( if it is just a job, but you cannot afford the opportunity cost of full-time MBA). However even with this feature in common there are essentially three available ways to get your MBA on a part-time basis:
- Part-time MBA
- Regular part-time program
- Accelerated part-time program
- Executive MBA
Executive MBA is a considerably different program from the ‘regular’ part-time MBA programs, and I am not planning to discuss it in detail further in my blog. Just a few short notes on this program:
- It is geared for the c-level or pre-c level executives who have enough latitude at their respective organizations, so that the company is often willing to cough up the full cost of attendance as well as allow the participant to attend required full day, week or more long, on-campus or international residencies several times a year.
- The diploma at graduation is clearly showing that it is an ‘Executive MBA’ degree.
- The curriculum is somewhat different from regular MBA program, so that it allows the participant to finish the program in about the same time as full-time MBA students, while the classroom time is considerably shorter.
- The applicants have considerably more years of progressive professional experience, usually 10-15, with about half of that experience in managerial positions
- Given the previous pre-requisite, the average age of participants is around 40 y.o
- GMAT is usually not required for the applicants, neither undergraduate GPA is considered in many programs
- Participants are usually treated as first-class passengers on airlines, with various perks. (Such as , for example, catered meals on days of classes in Executive MBA program at George Washington University School of Business).
Those are just the highlights of the Executive MBA and I did not have time or desire to explore it further at the time of considering MBA for myself, as it was clearly not cut for me (neither was I meeting its pre-qualifications).
As for other aspirants of MBA degree, the above list will give you pretty much clear ball park estimate if the Executive MBA program is feasible for you. If, however, you decide that there is mismatch between you and the EMBA, keep reading this blog to learn more about the part-time MBA program, including more details about the part-time MBA program in George Washington University School of Business, and other MBA programs available in Washington, DC area.
For those who are still interested in Executive MBA degree, there are three Business Schools in the Washington, DC area that offer this option:
