Deciding which program is right for you hinges on a number of factors such as your current job and income, your company's potential sponsorship of your degree and your own level of experience.

For working professionals and managers who are looking to raise their education and revitalize their career mobility without interrupting their careers, enrolling in an EMBA program can be transformational.

For working professionals and managers who are looking to raise their education and revitalize their career mobility without interrupting their careers, enrolling in an EMBA program can be transformational.

“If you have over five years of work experience, extensive career advancement and managerial experience, an Executive MBA may be a great choice,” says Dean Carol Stephenson of the Richard Ivey school of Business in Canada.

EMBA Complements Job skills

Pranav Kumar, Managing Director for Bite Communications India, completed the short-term executive management program at the Wharton School of Business, in Pennsylvania while continuing to work, and says his studies complemented what he was doing on the job; “As a young professional I have found myself using much of the course content back at the ranch. I have learnt so much from the group work, general conversations, class interaction, and occasional social excursions. Discussing businesses, and how people make decisions in the real world has been as valuable as the teaching itself.”

A MBA degree from a big brand school, sitting high in the rankings, does have greater cache, and will generate more employer interest and ultimately a better job offer.

Additionally, beyond acquiring general management knowledge, many EMBA programs offer leadership and personal skill development opportunities.

Choosing the right EMBA program, however, poses challenges. From good academics to a solid reputation, to experienced faculty with real world know-how and business connections, to a versatile curriculum, to gaining access to a global network of alumni, a top business school can offer you huge benefits in addition to your MBA status.

Making The Right Choice

The various options out there may leave you wondering how much weight you should give business school rankings in deciding where to get your EMBA degree. Well, like most things in life, there is no straightforward answer. A MBA degree from a big brand school sitting high in the rankings does have greater cache, and will generate more employer interest and ultimately a better job offer. But under no circumstance should you choose a school solely on the weight of its ranking. It should merely be one factor among a basket of reasons. Pay attention to whether the school is the right fit for you in terms of your career aspirations.

“…Discussing businesses, and how people make decisions in the real world has been as valuable as the teaching itself.”

The tuition for executive programs is often higher than for regular MBA programs and sometimes requires corporate scholarships. It is rare but not unknown for some schools to offer scholarships to applicants receiving minimal or no financial sponsorship which covers 10-50% of the tuition.

The typical length of the program in most schools is 18 to 24 months. To accommodate working professionals juggling their work, travel, family and academic pursuits, classes are held every other weekend and combined with online education with weekly conference calls and quarterly residencies.