MBA, or Master of Business Administration, is an internationally-recognized degree meant to enhance the managerial, leadership, and, most importantly, business skills of an individual. In today’s competitive world, the need for MBA has increased manifold, as it helps open doors for professionals to explore multiple career paths that come with high compensation packages and lucrative benefits. In fact, surveys indicate that more than 3 lakh candidates from India alone apply for MBA.
A typical MBA program can either be of 2-year or 1-year duration, based on the courses offered. MBA for working professionals, on the other hand, falls under a special degree designed typically for experienced candidates who wish to upskill and simultaneously balance work-life responsibilities.
Types of MBA Program For Working Professionals
There are typically four types of MBA programs for working professionals, namely,
- Part-time MBA
- Online MBA
- Executive MBA
- One-Year MBA
Part-time MBA
As the name suggests, a part-time MBA course is beneficial for aspirants who work full-time or cannot afford to enter a full-time course. The classes are typically held in the evening or on the weekends. However, the candidates have the full flexibility to choose any time according to their convenience. Part-time MBA can often take longer to complete; nonetheless, it is the perfect choice for working professionals to learn MBA.
Online MBA
An online MBA program enables classes to be held in a virtual environment, meaning the aspirants’ physical presence is not required at all, making it best suited for full-time aspirants hoping to upskill. Online MBA can be termed the best MBA for working professionals in India because of its numerous advantages. Some of the most valuable benefits of an online MBA include-
- Flexibility
- Cost-effectiveness
- Enhanced Time Management
- Your Choice of Working Environment
- Optimal Work-Life Balance
Any working individual can apply for this program and study using online materials or recorded classes. Various business schools across India, such as Amity University, ITM University, and Pondicherry University, offer online MBA programs for working individuals. International universities, such as Golden Gate University, also offer exceptional online MBA opportunities. The typical duration of an online program is 1-4 years.
One-Year MBA
The one-year Executive MBA program specifically targets candidates aiming to complete their degree in the shortest time possible. The study materials for the same are also designed accordingly so that the whole curriculum can be completed within the limited duration of 11-12 months. Indian School of Business, IIM Ahmedabad, and Management Development Institute are some of the many institutes that provide 1 year executive MBA for working professionals in India.
Executive MBA
An Executive MBA program targets a very niche market. Not everybody can apply for this program, as it is specifically for middle to senior working professionals with an average of 10+ years of work experience. Like part-time MBA, the classes for EMBA are usually held in the evening or on weekends. Furthermore, it provides candidates with various opportunities to hone their skills, gain more experience, and develop leadership qualities. MDI, Gurgaon, Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, and XLRI, Jharkhand, are some of the many universities that provide Executive MBA for experienced professionals.
Advantages of an MBA For A Working Professional
As a full-time employee, there are diverse advantages to pursuing a professional MBA degree. Those are as follows.
No Career Break
Since online or part-time MBA, or even Executive MBA programs, do not require candidates to leave their jobs, they can quite easily enjoy growth in their profession while studying and enjoying all the benefits of employment, including salary.
Flexibility
Flexibility is another great advantage working professionals enjoy with online MBA courses. Contrary to a full-time MBA course, which requires full commitment of the candidates or strict adherence to a schedule, distance or online MBA can easily be customized to meet the needs of working professionals.
Cost Effectiveness
There are many EMBA programs available that offer cost-effective benefits to MBA aspirants, such as tuition sponsorship. Availing of these benefits helps save up on many costs, which can be a big issue in a full-time MBA program. Furthermore, the consistent flow of salary as you simultaneously pursue these programs lessens the impact of a financial crunch on your savings, which is quite common among full-time MBA students.
In-Demand MBA Specializations
The following list highlights some of the top MBA specializations currently in huge demand among the working professionals of India.
MBA in Business Analytics Management
MBA in Business Analytics is a two-year program specifically designed for students or aspirants hoping to pursue a career in data sciences or to upskill and obtain senior roles within their organization. With the rise of organizations leveraging data influx to reap valuable insights, an MBA in Business Analytics can significantly help you upskill as well as obtain lucrative opportunities.
MBA in Adaptive Leadership
MBA in Adaptive Leadership trains candidates in contemporary leadership as well as the art of management through in-depth methodologies and management theories. While the program can usually span up to two years, with GGU, candidates can accomplish this specialization within 15 months.
MBA in Operations Management
MBA in Operations Management is a two-year postgraduate degree program primarily focusing on managing an organization’s logistics and supply chain processes. Some of the top institutions in India offering this program include IIT Kharagpur, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta, among others.
MBA in Marketing
The marketing program enables students to learn in-depth marketing nuances, from consumer behavior and advertising to market research and managerial communication. It also opens doors for various lucrative career paths, such as brand manager, market research analyst, sales manager, and SEO specialist. IMT Nagpur, NIILM Delhi, and NL Dalmia are some of the many prestigious institutions in India that offer this program.
Best MBA Course for Working Professionals in India
The following list highlights some of the best MBA courses for working professionals in India.
| Name of University | Course Offered | Duration |
| ISB PGP Max | Global Executive MBA | 15 months |
| IIM Ahmedabad PGP | Online MBA | 2-3 years |
| Indian School of Business | Global Executive MBA | 15 months |
| IGNOU MBA | Distance MBA | 2-5 years |
| XLRI | Executive Fellow Program in Management | 5 years |
| IIT Bombay | Executive MBA | 18 months |
Best Institutes For MBA In India
Delhi
Besides being India’s capital, Delhi is also an educational hub. Some of the top-ranked universities of India are situated here. On that note, here are some of the best institutes in Delhi that offer MBA programs for working individuals.
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- Delhi University
- Institute of Management and Technology
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
Bangalore
Bangalore is one of those few places in India that needs no formal introduction. Also regarded as the silicon valley of India, this state provides some of the best MBA colleges. Those are
- Institute of Management Technology
- Christ University
- Indian School of Business Management
- ILAM Bangalore
IIM
IIM is one of the most reputed colleges in India to pursue an MBA. In order to qualify for a seat at these colleges, you need to fulfill a specific set of eligibility criteria. Only the best of the best get admission at IIM. Currently, 12 IIMs in India offer a wide range of MBA programs. The following list contains some of the topmost IIM colleges which offer the best MBA courses for working professionals.
- IIM, Ahmedabad
- IIM, Bangalore
- IIM, Lucknow
- IIM, Calcutta
- IIM, Indore
Conclusion
While earning an MBA degree is definitely one of the wisest decisions, especially in today’s dynamic business environment, it is also crucial to look into the credibility and reliability of institutes that offer such programs. Graduates from a well-reputed university will automatically be given more importance than candidates who have completed their degrees from lesser-known institutes. Apart from this, the quality of education disseminated also plays a huge role in the credibility of an educational institution. After all, MBA can be quite expensive, and you should invest your money in a program that offers the best benefits.
On that note, we present the Master of Business Administration program offered by San Francisco’s leading Golden Gate University.
With 120+ years of educational excellence and 24/7 student support, Golden Gate University is one of the top institutions in San Francisco. The MBA program offered by GGU comes with numerous benefits, ranging from global case study discussions and live and interactive faculty to industry-specific sessions. It is specially designed for all working professionals helping them to upskill and obtain senior positions in their relevant vertices.
FAQs
Q: Is MBA worth it for working professionals?
Ans: MBA or Master of Business Administration is typically considered a worthy investment by working professionals for many reasons. While some claim that it provides much-needed assistance to change your career path, others argue that it offers relevant knowledge and experience. The flexibility offered by many online or part-time MBA programs also allows working aspirants to manage time according to their convenience.
Q: What are some of the most sought-after MBA specializations?
Ans: Some of the most in-demand MBA specializations are General Management, International Management, Finance Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Technology Management, Marketing, and Operations Management.
Q: Which is the highest-paying MBA specialization in India?
Ans: As of 2022, MBA in Finance is one of the highest-paying specializations in India. The average salary of a graduate in this course is ₹6,00,000. Some of the most common topics usually covered under this specialization include asset management, investment, resource management, and financial planning, among others.
