What Is The Difference Between An Executive MBA (EMBA) & Part Time MBA?

Both EMBA and Part Time MBA are part-time courses, but they are meant for different people.  The course structure and content of the two courses, therefore, vary. 

Who Are They For?

Executive MBA (EMBA) is meant for senior executives (those with 10-20 years’ work experience).  So Vice-Presidents on way to becoming CEOs or those poised to become Vice-Presidents seek out this course.  This course addresses senior management problems and ways to solve them.

Part Time MBA is meant for junior and mid-level executives (those with 4-10 years’ work experience).  The course addresses mid-management problems and issues.

Course Content

 EMBA – Since the course is meant for the soon-to-be CXO crowd, it covers high-level management issues.  

Imagine, for instance, a Vice President of Maruti dealing with lockouts and labour problems and facing the challenges of bringing operational costs down, building a new business vertical, expanding the business and entering new markets while knowing how to deal with the Governments of various countries and how to comply with local laws.

Topics covered in class are senior management issues, such as Risk Management, Staying on top of changing government policy, Managing internal change, High-level financial analysis, etc. The skills acquired enable participants to manage organizations and multiple teams.

Part Time MBA – This programme focuses on practical knowledge that helps middle-level managers get on with business. Courses can be focused, for instance, on understanding basic financial statements, the 4P’s of marketing and factory-level operations and building inter-team morale, etc.

What types of features do products need, what types of products can suit a particular market, marketing campaigns required for different products, team building, how to work in groups and optimizing factory schedules are topics/aspects that are covered here.

Course Length

 The course length of each of these courses varies from institution to institution. 

Course Structure and Campus Classes 

EMBA – This requires students to attend campus classes for 1-2 days on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

Part Time MBA – This requires students to attend campus classes for 2-3 days every 3 months or 6 months.

Who pays?

 Executive MBA – The organization pays in some cases. Companies often sponsor senior executives for this course in order to get them ready for senior management roles in the organization. 

Part Time MBA – Mostly, the candidate pays her way through.

Career Outcomes

 EMBA – The audience pursuing this programme has already been there and done that. It is not looking for placements but is looking to rise further in an already high-flying career. Executive MBA programmes, therefore, do not provide campus placements.  

 Part Time MBA – Most part-time MBA programmes do not have campus placements but some do.  The course helps improve your knowledge and skills in your present role and enables you to move up the corporate ladder.