Top management institutes including IIMs, in India offer variety of MBA programmes to cate the need of freshers as well as working executives. The MBA programmes are also designed for those who may not attend the regular classes or find it difficult to come to the institute.
2 Year MBA/PGDM programme
The 2 year full time regular residential MBA/PGDM programme is
offered by all the 3500 management institutes in India. It is a residential programme and calls for the full attention of the students without any study break. The programme is offered by all the B-schools including 20 IIMs, XLRI and other top institutes.
The 2 year MBA is available for the freshers as well as professionals with work experience provided they wish to pursue it since it needs full involvement and cannot be pursued without quitting the job or taking 2 years of study leave.
The candidates sponsored by the company can also pursue this course but they have to score at par in the entrance exam with their peers. The fee structure in this case goes a little higher.
Executive MBA
Executive MBA Education is the term used for programmes at graduate-level business schools that aim to give classes for Chief Executives and other top managers or entrepreneurs. Executive education developed in the 1980s and 1990s, as the increasing pace and scope of global business demanded higher levels of education among employees.
Duration & Delivery
Executive MBA education programmes can be classified on the basis of duration and delivery mode. Executive education as management and business programmes is meant for working professionals. The mode of delivery can be on-campus, online or a combination of both modes (hybrid). Also the duration of executive education programmes can vary from just a few days to even one year, as in case of IIM-A’s PGPX. But the common thread remains – these programmes are meant for executives who want to learn new skills and move up the hierarchy.
Top institutes
Top tier management institutes like the IIMs, XLRI, MDI, ISB have recognized this need-gap and have launched several long-term executive education courses. For instance, IIM A offers Post Graduate Programme in Management for Executives (PGPX), IIM C offers Post Graduate Programme for Executives (PGPEX), IIM I offers Executive Post-Graduate Programme in Management. IIM L has launched its International Programme in Management for Executives (IPMX) this year. ISB offers only executive MBA programmes.
Executive MBA options
1. Full-time long-duration (usually 1-year) accelerated courses like IIM-A’s PGPX, IIM-L’s IMPX and other top B-schools.
2. e-Learning programmes offered by U21 Global, NIIT Imperia, and others.
3. Part-time 3-year EMBA offered by B-Schools & Distance programmes offered by reputed B-schools.
4. Short-term MDPs & AMPs offered by B-schools aimed at developing specific skills.
Distance Learning MBA
It may not be possible for all to pursue management programmes through regular classroom learning mode, with program duration of two years. For those who are unable to pursue full time MBA for want of time or high cost, options like Distance MBA or 3 year Part Time MBA may prove to be viable alternative.
Duration
Distance MBA or PGDM programme will have the same duration of 2 years as the rular MBA programmes have. The curriculam and specializations are also more or less the same.
Approvals
Distance MBA offered by top B-schools is approved by AICTE on the basis of rigorous parameters as applied to regular MBA programme.
Why a preferred programme
The distance MBA offers flexibility of delivery, affordability, scope for continuous learning and easy accessibility. Working professionals therefore find Distance MBA as a viable alternative to full time classroom MBA.
Regular class room study is mandatory for regular MBA whereas in Distance Learning or part time executive MBA there is no compulsion for classroom study. Even a student from a far flung area can go for Distance MBA offered by well known B-schools and Universities.
Industry relevance and Career acceleration are the many reasons that prompt a working professional or a even a fresher to opt for preferred MBA education. In present scenario MBA has become a necessary qualification for career progression.
Carefully choose the Programme
One must be careful in choosing the right Distance MBA institution that is duly recognized by regulators and offer industry-relevant curriculum and learning material.
Key institutions
Distance MBA is offered by the highly rated B-schools like IMT, NMIMS, SIBM, among others. These and other highly ranked B-schools like MDI Gurgaon, K J Somaiya, Mumbai, FORE school of Management, New Delhi offer Part time PGDM programmes also. For those who wish to go for short term programmes the certificate programmes are offered by the B-schools like BRIDGE School and Northwestern University, USA).