Types of MBA

uicgrad1
Thu, 10 Apr 2014 13:08:32 +0000

Realizing this is a 2004 post…

EMBA is exactly what was described Sakky. The program is structured in lock-step with your “class” which may be as large as 60 people. You all take the same courses and graduate together. The idea is to learn from your experienced peers in addition to your professors. Emba programs also assume you have years OJT experience doing the skills regular MBAs have to be taught in the classroom (lots of regular MBAs have no business background or education). Reg MBA programs have to literally incorporate a fair amount of introductory business education into their curriculums. The EMBA curriculum takes experience into account and courses are taught with the believe that the students have a higher level of understanding on the topics covered. Less granular detail being taught. Strong emphasis on managerial development, decision making, and team-work. I believe the EMBA is a little less academic and a lot more practical. You are expected to immediately take what you are learning and implement it at your business.

I have an EMBA and I was not employer sponsored and I am not in a managerial position. Many of my classmates were however. The school I attended was AACSB accredited and I enjoyed the experience!

I think EMBAs and traditional MBAs are equally valuable and it really depends on what your preference or objective is. I value practical skills and learning from people who have real life experience. Others place higher value on the pure academics.

Programs I feel have little value are “1 year MBAs”. I feel the program is too condensed to offer a student real value. It’s important that you learn and can retain the high points of your education otherwise it’s not valuable at all. 12 month MBA programs raise red flag to me, and I don’t care what school offers it. I feel that’s more a money grab for the university meant to give you a diploma not an education.