MBA vs. EMBA What’s the difference

An Executive MBA is sometimes mistaken for being a superior version of its better-known counterpart—the MBA. In reality, theyre actually very similar in terms of content, prestige, and value to employers. But the two programs are delivered in different formats, require different levels of commitment, and serve different career aspirations. Comparing course length and schedule An MBA, short for Master of Business Administration, is a general management degree. There are one and two-year programs, but both tend to be full-time and require you to be on campus. At Hult, our Global One-Year MBA is completed over 12 months, with the option of studying on up to three of our global campuses. EMBA, short for Executive Master of Business Administration, is also a general management qualification. However, EMBA programs are typically done  part-time,  taking between two and four years to complete. The Global Executive EMBA at Hult is designed to be flexible, with some students completing the course in as little as 18 months. This full-time versus part-time study schedule is often thought to be the defining difference between an MBA and an EMBA. However,  there are many other differences to consider. Course structure and student lifestyle Because of the full-time nature of MBA programs, they require a big commitment in terms of a change in lifestyle. You will need to take a career break for the duration of the program and, if you’re attending a global business school like Hult, you may need to relocate to a different country. A full-time MBA is an immersive graduate experience that requires total commitment. EMBAs are not only part-time, they are usually designed to enable people to continue working as they study. How classes are scheduled varies from school to school, and the program that suits you best will depend on your work patterns and career goals. At Hult, our EMBA is delivered over one four-day weekend per month. To help you maintain your work/life/study balance, there are also opportunities to complete some modules online, or pause your studies should you need to. It amazed me how much we learned over a four-day weekend, not only from the theory but also the Hult approach to leadership. This really set the standard for the rest of the EMBA program. Dr. Toby Shepherd  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Ã‚  Head of EMEA Regional Medical Affairs, Pfizer Consumer Health  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  EMBA Class of 2018 With an MBA, many students choose to relocate to wherever their school of choice is. But EMBA students are usually in full-time employment, so they are often more restricted when it comes to the location of the school. Our EMBA students tend to attend the campus closest to home, which  they can easily travel to once a month.  However, having the option of attending multiple campuses around the world is often a big benefit for Hult EMBA students who frequently travel abroad for work, or want to gain on-the-ground international experience. The flexibility of the EMBA route can mean considerably less impact on your regular lifestyle—although balancing work, personal life, and studies does come with its own challenges. Differences in age and professional experience One simple difference between an MBA and Executive MBA program is the profile of the students. EMBA students tend to be slightly older, with  more years of senior-level professional experience on their resumes. Heres a breakdown of the average age and experience of Hult MBA and EMBA candidates: This difference in seniority plays a big part in how students engage with the course content and can steer classroom discussion. It’s important to consider where you fit best when choosing a degree program, as your peers will become an invaluable part of your professional network. Networking is key in today’s global business world, and the program has allowed me to expand my network and gain new, valuable business contacts. This has opened many doors, and will open many more in the future. Alessandro Banzer Liechtensteiner – CEO, Xiting – EMBA Class of 2017 Admissions requirements As EMBAs are geared towards working professionals with more extensive experience, EMBA admissions teams look for a varied professional background and managerial experience. Its assumed that applicants will already have a certain level of business knowledge picked up over their career, so there is not so much emphasis placed on entrance exams. For most full-time MBA programs, only three years of work experience is required. However, a GMAT (or equivalent) score will usually be part of the MBA admissions criteria. Curriculum differences MBA and Executive MBA programs generally cover the same core content and aim to develop or advance similar skills. At Hult, MBA and EMBA students engage with the same fundamental topics in their core courses. Both programs also offer the option of specializing by taking electives in a particular business area, such as marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, project management, or business analytics. On our MBA program, students have the opportunity to apply the theory learned in class through practical projects, like the Hult Business Challenge. Our EMBA students take part in challenge learning  too. But they also have the opportunity to apply their learning straight away in the workplace—meaning lessons learned have immediate professional value. Career goals Often, MBA students are looking to make some kind of change in their career—be it a change of location, industry, or function. Therefore, their focus is firmly on gaining employment upon graduation. At Hult, we are also seeing more and more MBA grads pursuing a career in entrepreneurship and starting their own businesses. In fact, 8% of our most recent graduating class launched their own business after Hult. The motivations for Executive MBA students are more varied. Some are actively looking to change career or secure a new job, while others are looking to progress at the company theyre at. Some might be looking to keep their skills current, while others are simply embracing an opportunity for  professional and personal development. It’s important that the school you choose offers the right career development opportunities to support your goals. If youre interested in learning more about the career outcomes for recent Hult grads, you can download our latest Global Careers Report. The most significant impact of the program for someone at my level is that the EMBA has made me ‘current’ in my knowledge. It has also widened my perspective. Tina Oberoi  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Chief Operating Officer, Retail Lals Group (GCC) – EMBA Class of 2017 Fees, financing, and return on investment The fees for both programs are usually fairly similar, depending on the school and the location of the program. The difference often lies in the options students have for funding their degree. MBAs are usually self-funded, although there are a wide variety of scholarships and financial aid  packages available through private companies and the business schools themselves. When it comes to course fees, full-time MBA students must also factor in living expenses and the cost of accommodation, taking into account that they wont be earning a salary for the length of the program. Fortunately, successful MBA grads usually see a fast return on their investment, as their new academic credentials put them in good stead for more senior roles. Executive MBAs, on the other hand, can often be funded—either partially or entirely—by their employer. Thats because employers benefit from the skills and knowledge gained, and many are happy to contribute to the professional development of their staff. Having said that, there is an increasing trend towards EMBA candidates self-funding their degree, with scholarships and financial aid also being available for these programs. Employer-sponsored students are generally required to commit a few years to the company upon graduation, so be sure you’re aware of the conditions if this is the route you take.  Whether employer-funded or self-funded, EMBA students will also be earning a full-time salary while studying, so studying for an EMBA can be somewhat less daunting financially. Hult EMBA grads can also benefit from serious ROI, with recent alumni reporting a salary boost of almost 50%. Ready to learn more about Hult’s innovative and flexible Global Executive MBA program?  Download a brochure. Decided now is the time to invest in yourself and your career?  Submit your application today. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .