MBAUniverse.com Exclusive: Regular MBA Vs Distance MBA

MBA has become one of the most treaded paths of the students as well as the working professionals as it reaps great fruit in terms of career. In present scenario, when this golden degree is in great demand in the job market.

Although the demand for the degree has increased in day by day time but it is not possible for all to pursue the degree through a regular classroom learning mode, with program duration of two years. For them, the rescue comes in the form of MBA through Distance Learning. Distance Learning in MBA lends flexibility and convenience to the distance MBA takers. They get an option to learn online while doing their jobs. Their upgrading skills help them to implement assigned projects or, work in the field, mentioned Anand Sudarshan, MD & CEO, Sikkim Manipal University, a key player of Distance Learning. The basic difference between a Regular MBA and a Distance Learning MBA is that of the classroom study. There are proper classes in a Regular MBA, whereas in Distance Learning MBA there are no frequent classes. Let us look at some of the other factors which differentiate Regular MBA and Distance Learning MBA. Time Regular MBA has classroom sessions and the students thus, are bounded to attend classes. On the other hand, Distance MBA lends flexibility of time. All those who cannot afford to do full time MBA, either because they are working or any personal reason can opt for Distance MBA. While doing Full time MBA, a person is fully immersed in his studies and gives his full time and concentration to it. While Distance MBA seekers, Learn while they earn. Distance Learning MBA provides a sigh of relief for the working professionals who cannot give their time for Full Time MBA. The Distance Learning MBA makes it very easy for working professionals to give a rise to their CVs. Pedagogy Full time or Regular MBA is a face to face instruction medium. Students need to go the classrooms and attend classes, whereas in Distance MBA, there is nothing like a frequent classroom study. There are various Education technologies being used by different institutes for Distance Learning mode. Students either attend online chat with the professors or e-learning sources are also available. Distance education, e-learning and personal contact programs create a hybrid learning environment to students. Institutes are now also providing their students with Digital Library. Fee Structure Fee structure is one of the other factors why students look forward for Distance MBA education. Regular MBA is much more costly than Distance MBA. For example, lets take into consideration the examples of the fee structure of some of some of the key player institutes in Distance Learning MBA. AIMA ranges from Rs.9, 000 to 22,000 IMT-CDL ranges from Rs. 19000 to 40000 On the other hand, for regular MBA the fees for any institute are not counted in less than a few lakhs. The fee of MBA from a quality B-school can range from Rs. 5 lakh and more. Moreover, Distance learning MBA eliminates cost incurred on travelling, infrastructure and a variety of other expenses. Recognition & Value Although Management education is in great demand these days, still people have dont take Distance Education programs to be at par with the Regular MBA programs. Students trust Regular MBA more than Distance MBA because of the factor of recognition and the degree value at the time of seeking for a job. Although Regular MBA students growl at the idea of Distance MBA education but Distance Learning MBA has its own set of target students. Education Technology Distance MBA has advanced a lot in these days, with several leading Distance MBA institutes using Education technologies to fill the gap between Regular MBA and Distance MBA. The e-learning sources have come to view; online chats are organized by the institutes for the benefit of their distance education students. There are Virtual Classrooms and DVDs and CDs are also