Looking to make myself more marketable and approaching 30 with 8 years of work experience. Does anyone have thoughts on the value of an executive MBA? Is it looked at differently than the full-time MBA? It seems like the admissions standards are easier and there is more flexibility (nights/weekends). Its a lot of coin, but I am thinking that not having a MBA could keep me from the C Suite. I know people can make it without, but I am looking to speed up my ascent…
I thought the admission standards were stricter? I could be wrong. Although you can get reimbursed automatically for a regular MBA program, after ten years of work experience, my company will pay for only promising employees to go to WashU’s E-MBA program. In that regard, the best candidates are going to E-MBA programs and WashU pretty much never turns a candidate down if being sent by the company.
I hear it is much more flexible with classes only once a week and you can finish in a year and a half. Potential top level executives are highly encouraged, almost pressured into getting their E-MBA before moving forward. In my mind, I thought the E-MBA was for top talent, so I figured admission standards would be higher. I could very well be wrong.
I think I may have generalized a bit, I am really referring to the GMAT requirement. It seems like it is either waived or lower for top executive MBA programs in comparison to full-time. The initial question still remains: when is it worthwhile to pursue an executive MBA?
My supervisor’s supervisor was sent to an E-MBA program at WashU. He had an engineering background and did not feel like taking the GMAT. They asked him to submit his GMAT scores, and he said yea sure… will do. He went through the program without ever submitting his scores (because he never took it). So I can see how the standards would be lower.
Let’s see what others have to say about when it’s worthwhile.
I can see how the credential would be useful. Especially if the executive MBA school is more prestigious than your undergrad school. Plus, who knows? Maybe you will meet some interesting people or wealthy future spouse.
I believe Executive MBA’s are not as prestigious as a Full-Time MBA, similar to Part-Time MBA’s. But a top 20 Executive MBA is better than a top 50 (21-50) Full-Time MBA using Financial Times Global Rankings.
Sure thing. However, you don’t put “Executive MBA” on your resume. You just put “MBA”. People won’t know the difference until they ask you in the interview room. At that point, you’re already in the room and it becomes more about your personality than your resume.
I believe you’re supposed to put EMBA on your resume, or technically you’d be falsly presenting yourself.
That being said, I’d just put MBA and do what Ohai said if it was me. But I’m a sheisty mothaf******.
Anyhow, I’m going to post some more info on the two in a second, but before I do, the EMBA is still a great degree. If it makes more sense for you, then by all means go ahead. Look at Northwestern’s comparison of the MBA vs EMBA in the next post and I’d make your decision based on that and which sounds as if it fits you better.
EMBA admissions standards are much less strict than MBA and are significantly less competitive. I can attest to similar experiences such as Rayankh.
From Northwestern’s website (deliniates the structural difference between the two):
What are the main differences between a full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA? The full-time program is for students that have between 4 – 5 years work experience, while the Executive MBA Program students have between 12 – 15 years work experience. Our program is designed for mid-career professionals, who have already mastered their functional expertise. Our program offers them an opportunity to take a two-year general management course progression, which helps them continue to move into senior management roles within their respective organizations. The full-time program is specifically designed for people who are looking to change industries, acquire more business acumen or step into management positions. In the full-time program students pick a designated major or area of study, whereas in the Executive Program, students study all areas of general management.
Here’s a response I wrote on full time vs part time and rank awhile back. If you swap part time with EMBA it still holds true, although parts of it are a bit out of context:
"…ranking and full time makes a HUGE difference.
Part time programs have much higher acceptance rates, and weaker comparative statistics. Simply talking to full time vs part time students at a top program will leave you impressed with the difference. Part time programs also feature less teamwork since students are not in close quarters and have less time together outside of class. As a result of that (team work can separate effeorts and reduce redundant work) and the general focus / intensity, the projects are less demanding and often cover topics with less depth. Extra curriculars are often not a major factor for part time students, so they miss out on other leadership opportunities and networks. Also, lack of teamwork often creates a weaker, smaller part time network to call on after graduation.
…You gain AT LEAST as much if not more value from interactions with other high caliber students and leaders on a daily basis over two years [as from coursework]. You compete with them, you collaborate with them, and you learn from them in the process. It should change not just WHAT you know, but HOW you think. Lower caliber programs and part time programs often miss much of these intangibles, as you have.
Furthermore, the name carries weight because it speaks to a vetting process. You’re dipping into a pool where you know only the top candidates have been selected for leadership traights after extensive application processes and you have better chance of scoring a winner and a leader… But it goes beyond even that. You have now hired someone with a demonstrated lifetime of achievement that lead them there. They now have a huge network of similarly high achievers who will go on to be senior executives in companies around the world. The asset you’ve hired now has the additional benefit of tapping this network for knowledge and insights years down the road. This is invaluable to a company…"
http://mail.analystforum.com/forums/cfa-forums/cfa-general-discussion/91317144?page=1
It’s pretty simple: The executive MBA is a you-scratch-my-back-I-scratch-yours deal between the School and the Company.
It’s generally for people who need a higher degree to rise up the ranks. The school gets good money and a likely executive/senior person to add to their stats and brag about to future students. And the company gets to say their executives has a good MBA degree.
^ Yup. Top 3 MBA or saw your sack off.
^ Don’t forget: ‘rusty hacksaw’.
Probably not an unbiased crowd here, but if you had to pick which would you rather have?:
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CFA and E-MBA from a prestigous university.
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Full-Time MBA from the same prestigous university.
I would think #1 is a no-brainer? I guess it depends on what career path you’re looking to take.
Leaning towards #2
Heavily depends on the current situation. If you are working and want to stay at your current company long term, and you are on track to rise up the mgmt ranks, then 1. Otherwise probably 2
The question is a bit vague. Do you mean those degrees magically get inserted into your past, or do you have to enter those programs in the future? If the degrees get inserted into your past (no future cost), then 2) is better. If there is future cost, 1) might be better.
Thank you ohai. Not sure if you were referring to the OP, but I don’t think a full-time MBA is even an option at this point. There is an opportunity cost, I’m too far along in my career and am not trying to do something completely different. I think what I’m trying to gauge is what doors the EMBA opens up. Currently I report to the CFO of my Company, but the Company is only a billion in market cap. All of this leads to even more questions such as:
Is it frowned upon by current employers because it will require that employee to take a handful of Friday’s off for two years?
Is it something that can be negotiated at a job interview?
I’m on the fence about discussing with my current employer. I am pretty certain they won’t want to pay for it and thus I am not even going to discuss sponsorship. However, senior leadership works a lot of hours over here and I am concerned that not seeing me every other Friday for two years will be a negative that won’t be offset by an eventual EMBA.
Honestly, I’d be pretty concerned about the Friday thing. The problem is, they may say it’s okay, but subliminally, they’ll develop a dim view on your work ethic and commitment over time. Also, when things do get hairy at work, the Friday conflict is sure to come back around to raise problems. I’d opt for a part time evening program, they tend to include a bit more flexibility, but may take longer to complete. You could try negotiating for every other friday off, and if they lower your pay, and put it in the contract, that may be a little more plausible.
I agree. What your boss says and what he really means are not always the same thing.
To answer your question–if you can get into a good full-time MBA program*, I think I would do that. That will pay more dividends immediately, and in the long-term than getting the CFA charter. Once you’re done with that, if you’re still in finance, then you can consider the CFA charter later.
*The definition of a “good” full-time MBA has been extensively discussed in other threads. No need to rehash them here.