What is an Executive MBA?

An executive MBA program provides business leaders, entrepreneurs and top level executives the opportunity to improve their existing managerial knowledge and expertise by providing a unique setting of classes that are well suited to complement their work schedules. The EMBA program is designed specifically for individuals with considerable work experience in the business field already, who want to improve their knowledge on the upcoming managerial trends, leadership qualities and build a peer network within their industry. It is a high quality degree that attracts experienced and talented business professionals from a variety of different fields, such as health care, IT, banking, manufacturing and so on.

According to a 2010 Executive MBA Council survey, the average age of EMBA students is 37 years and they enter the program with an average 13 years of work experience, 8 years of it being in some managerial capacity. The executive MBA program is typically sponsored by the company and classes take place once a week or bimonthly. It is an accelerated program which allows students to complete the program within two years while causing no interruption in their work schedules.

Executive MBA vs. Traditional MBA Program

The executive MBA program differs in many aspects from the traditional MBA program. Some of the major differences are:

Course Format

Executive MBA courses are in a step-lock grid with pre-assigned courses each semester unlike the traditional MBA where you are allowed to pick your courses in each term. Typically, an EMBA class has the same students and classmates for the entire two year program.

Class Schedule

Since executive MBA students are working individuals, classes usually take place for an entire day once a week or bimonthly. According to the Executive MBA Council research, 35% of EMBA classes meet weekly while 34% meet every two weeks.

Admissions

In order to be admitted to a top executive MBA program, an individual must have a minimum of 5 years work experience as a business leader. Taking the GMAT is not a requirement as it is for the traditional MBA.

Services

Other than providing an opportunity for building a peer network, an EMBA comes with a number of staple services that are designed to reduce the pressure on working individuals. It is considered standard to provide help with the registration process, provide meals during classes and supply all necessary books and materials to EMBA students.

Finances

Most Executive MBA programs are sponsored entirely by the company they are currently working in. While some companies also sponsor traditional MBA programs, most students either take out student loans or obtain scholarships to pay for their studies themselves.

Advantages of an Executive MBA

An executive MBA program is well suited for those with considerable work experience and is used to advance their knowledge and networking skills. While the course material may be similar to other MBA programs, an executive MBA program forms great leaders and helps executives and entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses and bring success to their companies.

What is an online MBA program?

An online MBA program makes use of technology to deliver the course material of traditional MBA classes over the internet. Essentially, the same content is used for online MBA programs, delivered by professors to students through file sharing, webinars and online tutorials. Classroom lectures are delivered through video clips and discussions between students take place in discussion forums. Homework and assignments are delivered through online file exchange.

Professors are expected to be available to answer student queries through email or chat. The traditional classrooms are replaced by an online forum, thus bringing together teachers and students from various geographical locations. An online MBA is well suited for those requiring flexibility in their schedules so that they can set their own pace and work on the program from the comfort of their home, while simultaneously taking care of other professional and personal obligations.

Pros and Cons of Online MBA

Every program has its advantages and disadvantages that can help one decide which degree setting is more suitable. To help determine whether an online MBA is for you, it is important to explore both sides of it.

Pros of an Online MBA

• Allows individuals with a hectic work schedule or those with young children in the house to pursue an MBA degree at their own time, from home, after attending to their other priorities.
• Provides flexibility and gives students the power to set their own pace as the online program is accessible 24/7.
• You are not required to quit your current job and stop earning in order to advance your career by pursuing an MBA degree online.
• Does notrequire you to relocate in order to obtain an MBA degree from a particular college.
• The course content is usually very similar to that provided within the classroom.
• It is usually easier to be accepted into an online degree program than an on-campus program of a top MBA school, as it is less competitive.

Cons of an Online MBA

While every effort is made to recreate the traditional classroom experience, there is an obvious lack of face-to-face interaction with the professor and other students.

• Not suitable for procrastinators as there are no definite deadlines for completed assignments.
• Part of getting an MBA is making essential contacts within the classroom to help you in the future. While the content material may be the same, classroom interaction is minimal.
• A harder learning experience for subjects in which a large amount of teacher-student guidance is required.
• Career services, such as on-campus recruitment, mock interviews, career counseling, are not provided to online students.
• May not be seen as equally valuable as an on-campus MBA by certain employers.

Over the years, the value of online MBA has risen and it is now being implemented by universities everywhere. With the evolution of the internet and the increasingly hectic work schedules of individuals, an online MBA is gaining in popularity, giving hard working people the opportunity to achieve their educational goals from home.

Full Time MBA

A full time MBA is pursued by individuals who have recently graduated from college and have not committed to a full time job as yet. You invest all your time into this program and stay out of employment for the most part. Depending on your program, it can be completed fairly quickly, between one and two years. Students usually obtain scholarships, assistantships or take out student loans in order to fund their MBA program, in hopes of obtaining high paying jobs right after graduation. You may also take up an internship halfway through the program, in order to gain some practical work experience and to make useful contacts in the field that may be helpful for future employment prospects.

Advantages

• Program completed quicker.
• Wider variety of courses and electives to choose from.
• Allows time for internship.
• Offers career services that help procure suitable employment upon graduation.

Disadvantages

• Being out of work for the duration of the program.
• Higher chance of accumulating debt.
• Risk of not finding the best suited job after specializing in a particular field.

Part Time MBA

A part time MBA is for individuals who have already entered the workforce and do not want to forego their current income to advance their careers. Typically, working professionals with full time jobs enroll in these programs and attend MBA classes in the evenings, after business hours. In some cases, the employer even pays for the part time MBA program for their top employees.

The courses are similar to full time MBA programs but are spread out over a longer period, making it easier for those with other personal and professional obligations. There is no break in between for internships as they are already working and gaining the practical knowledge. It is mostly pursued by those willing to study after work hours so that they can raise their salaries at their current workplace or find a higher paying employment. Part time MBA is becoming popular these days due to the state of the economy, where individuals are forced to keep their current jobs while pursuing higher studies.

Advantages

• Keep a full time job and continue earning income.
• Evening classes suited for working individuals.
• Employers may fund the program.
• Slower pace, thus easier to cope with.
• Can apply course material to the real world workplace simultaneously.

Disadvantages

• Usually not given career services by the university to advance your career.
• Bound to an employer if they fund your education.
• Hard to juggle work and school together.
• Takes a longer time to complete the program.

While both programs have their pros and cons, finding the right program mostly depends on your current professional situation and your personal future goals. In the end, both programs are designed to earn you an MBA degree which is intended to advance your career in the field of business studies.

What is an MBA degree program?

An MBA degree is a graduate business degree program that is earned through traditional or online coursework in a business school. Apart from regular class work, often real world business challenges are imposed upon students as well. The objective of the MBA program is to educate and train individuals to handle different areas of management responsibilities within a company.

Features of an MBA Program

• Teaches how business is conducted within the United States, as well as globally.
• Teaches how to open and operate one’s own business venture.
• Encourages innovation and creative thinking to discover new ways of conducting business.
• Enhances your way of thinking to help you grow and develop your area of operation.

Benefits of an MBA program

According to a recent study by the Graduate Management Admission Council, an MBA degree results in a 40 percent increase in annual salary, depending on the current and future job position of the student. A graduate degree in business gives one the opportunity to gain expertise knowledge in a field so that they can better manage the business. It is expected that in the years 2011-2012 in the United States, the demand for MBA degrees with a concentration in Finance/Accounting, Healthcare and Information Systems is to rise sharply.

While most people confirm that obtaining an MBA degree accelerates their career and future success, others agree that they had better chances of finding suitable jobs after obtaining an MBA degree.

Types of MBA programs

• Full time MBA programs are designed for those who have not entered the workforce yet and can dedicate their entire time to the completion of this degree. These programs are usually a one-year or a two-year degree.
• Part time MBA programs are pursued by individuals who are already working full time or have other personal obligations that do not allow them to dedicate their entire time to the program.
• Online MBA programs are once again designed for working individuals who want to pursue the program from home. These are self-paced and flexible, allowing time for work and other personal activities.
• Executive MBA programs are for established managers and executives who wish to expand their existing knowledge. The programs are usually conducted over weekends or online.
• Other Graduate Business degrees are other specialized Masters degrees that concentrate on a specific field in business such as Information systems, Finance, Accounting etc.

An MBA program is unarguably a step forward in the career of anyone pursuing business studies. Determining which program is right for you, the field of concentration and the time you are willing to dedicate to it will help you decide how to pursue and take advantage of this degree.

People who wish to learn project management theory and skills are often already working in a business environment where projects must be completed quickly and effectively. Many students in project-management courses already have workplace skills yet they still seek additional knowledge and education for career advancement; plus courses in project management offer an excellent way to boost the income and advance the career.

Most students choose to study project management through an online project management course, since the flexibility of online education and other forms of distance learning allows students to balance work and study schedules most effectively. Upon successful completion of a project management course, depending upon the school’s accreditation, the student is awarded one of several certifications in project management, such as the PMP from the Project Management Institute, and the Master Project Manager (MPM), Project Management E-Business (PME) and others awarded by the American Academy of Project Management.

Curriculum, Modules and Course Outline

Students in project management courses learn how to manage project constraints, including defining the scope of the project, the time for completion, and the budget for the project. Students also learn to optimize the allocation of resources and integrate all necessary inputs for a given project. Those who study project management also gain experience in setting targets and deadlines, calculating project costs, maintaining a budget, monitoring quality control, and communicating with leaders and stakeholders. Project management courses cover the following areas:

Scope management involves determining the appropriate size for a project;

• Time management is important, since “time is money;”
• Cost management involves ensuring that the costs of materials, labor and other expenses will yield a profitable project;
• Quality management ensures the satisfaction of clients and end-users of products and services;
• Human resources management teaches the best use for workers and staff, since labor and personnel expenses are often an organization’s greatest expense;
• Communications management, since projects usually involve multiple workers and require good communication and close cooperation for success;
• Procurement management training teaches the student to find, obtain and manage goods and services necessary for successful completion of a project;
• Risk management involves assessing risks and managing them through insurance or other means.

Career Prospects

The enhancement of a worker’s overall value through courses in project management can significantly boost his or her income and employability. The increasing complexity and interdependency of projects nowadays has created many, many new opportunities for those who wish to have an exciting career as a project manager. Salaries are competitive and increases substantially for those with specialized skills and experience in certain sectors of industry.

Investment Banking Students

Investment bankers are among the most entrepreneurial and flexible of bankers, because they must often devise practical solutions for raising money under difficult market conditions. Investment bankers do not always succeed in providing the desired financing. Still, in spite of the challenges of investment banking, people are drawn by the potential for high-paying banking jobs in the investment banking sector. Investment bankers who succeed in raising significant amounts of capital for corporate clients are often rewarded with excellent pay and large bonuses. For this reason, many students are eager to enroll in an investment banking course.

Investment Banking Course Modules

Before being considered for employment as an investment banker, a candidate must first learn the basics of this profession. A good investment banking course will teach students about the following topics:

• Asset management, including the concepts of Equity, which is the investment type represented by stocks and other ownership interests in companies, and Debt, which consists of investments in loans and other forms of debt, and also Derivatives, which are indirect forms of investment generally viewed as riskier yet potentially more profitable than equity or debt;
• Private equity, the money invested by wealthy individuals into private companies and other vehicles;
• Hedge fund management, since large amounts of investment money are maintained in hedge funds, which aim to outperform the overall market by using sophisticated financial models;
• Corporate finance and strategy, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A) work; investment bankers are tasked with finding money for all corporate purposes;

Investment Banking Schools

Since investment banking covers such a broad universe of investments, there are a large number of banking courses available to choose from. Courses in banking are found in many bricks-and-mortar institutions, including major colleges and universities, and also through many different online schools, including online branches of top academic institutions.

Online schools for investment banking offer the advantages of low costs and flexible scheduling, yet they lack the live interaction of bricks-and-mortar schools. And, while bricks-and-mortar schools feature physical premises such as lecture halls and libraries, still the expenses of maintaining those facilities likewise means higher costs for banking students who wish to attend them.

Traditionally, the investment banking community has a strong foundation in the academic world, with many bankers relying on sophisticated investment models generated by mathematicians and scientists in order to choose their winning investments. So, banking students are usually very comfortable in making the transition from school into the working world, since investment banking work is often quite scholarly.

In summary, investment banking courses are available for those students who wish to get jobs in investment banks and begin rewarding careers in investment banking. Motivated, disciplined students will do well in pursuing careers in this fascinating and profitable profession.

For example, commercial banking allows importers and exporters to do business across geographical borders. And, commercial banking is also the source for commercial credit and customer financing programs for millions of small business owners, providing a credit lifeline to help sustain and grow businesses of all kinds.

Types of Candidates for Commercial Banking

People who seek careers in commercial banking are often detail-oriented and willing to tackle tough challenges and complex business issues. Commercial banking involves less public contact than, say, retail banking, and more concentration on the “numbers” of a particular deal. Those who are drawn to jobs in commercial banking are often money-motivated, since this banking niche is known for its fat salaries and hefty bonuses paid upon the completion of successful major banking transactions.

Course Modules for Bankers

For those people who wish to become bankers, the best preparation for a banking career begins with a commercial banking course. Candidates who plan to work at jobs in commercial banks should expect to study the following subjects:

• Classes of borrowers; borrowers are grouped according to size, market position, financials, and many other metrics in order to set interest rates and other financing terms;

• Lending risks, since preservation of capital is critical to a bank’s survival, and loans of different risk levels carry different interest rates and terms, it is important to understand and manage loan risks effectively;

• Performing, underperforming and non-performing assets, and how to measure, assess and improve performance of commercial debt investments of all kinds;

• Foreign exchange, since international transfers are the key to our modern, globally-connected economy;

• Technology in banking, because commercial banks rely on speedy, secure communications and cutting-edge technology in order to complete their transactions.

Commercial Banking Distance Learning and Colleges

Commercial banking is a broad field, covering everything from international trade to local mom-and-pop commercial credit lines for small merchants. There are many specialized commercial banking niches, and likewise there are many types of commercial banking courses to choose from. Fortunately, banking courses are offered by most colleges and universities, including both online and bricks-and-mortar classes, and there are also many other specialty schools and academic institutions offering courses in commercial banking.

Bricks-and-mortar banking classes offer “live” interaction and physical classrooms, yet they generally cost more than online banking courses. Also, online banking classes allow students maximum flexibility in scheduling their coursework and study sessions, yet some students miss the camaraderie of meeting in-person with the teachers and other students.

No matter the preference for bricks-and-mortar or online schools for banking, courses in commercial banking are available for serious students who have the discipline to follow through and complete a course in banking. Armed with a degree or certificate after completing a commercial banking course, a candidate is well-prepared to begin an interesting and profitable career in banking.

Retail Banking Students

Retail banking courses generally teach the concepts and practices of lending along with the concepts of bank branch management (BBM) and other skills such as bank teller practices, which are all necessary for a banking career focused on retail banking.

Bankers who work in a bank’s retail branches meet many interesting people during their workdays. Since almost everyone needs banking services, retail bankers are usually people who enjoy meeting the public and helping clients with basic financial services.

Students are often motivated to enter the banking profession because of the high-paying jobs in financial services in general. Although pay for newbie tellers is usually fairly modest, job candidates who have completed a course in banking may earn substantially more money. And, for graduates of banking courses there are many opportunities for advancement as bank branch managers, who are the best paid of all retail bankers, often earning mid-to-high six-figure incomes.

Retail Banking Course Modules

Those who wish to enter this niche of the banking profession must first complete an appropriate banking course. In a good retail banking course, students learn about the following topics:

• Types of retail loans, including car loans, appliance loans, and other consumer-credit products – home loans, including the most common types of real estate mortgage loans such as fixed-rate mortgages and Government loan programs;
• Basic loan application and underwriting processes, which include the tasks of gathering and verifying loan documentation of all kinds;
• Other types of retail banking services, such as notary and trust office services, and other financial-service and investment products;
• Teller practices, since tellers are the retail bank’s critical interface with the public and are primarily responsible for receiving, disbursing, and accounting for all cash and negotiable instruments during the business day;
• Fraud prevention and security, which are fundamental for a retail bank’s successful operation.

Because retail banks are widely found in every community, there are many different courses available. Banking courses are available both in bricks-and-mortar schools and through online education courses in banking.

Pros and Cons of Studying Retail Banking

The advantages of studying retail banking at a bricks-and-mortar school are access to physical facilities such as libraries and classrooms, and the availability of face-to-face contact. The disadvantages of bricks-and-mortar retail banking courses are the generally-higher tuition fees and the inflexibility of scheduling, whereas the advantages of online banking courses are their great flexibility and low costs, although most online schools do not offer a physical presence.

In closing, it can be said that courses in retail banking and bank branch management (BBM) are widely available through many different schools and institutions, both bricks-and-mortar and online education. Motivated students who seek a rewarding retail banking career should enter an appropriate banking course as the first step toward achieving their career goals.

Successful bankers are numbers-oriented, financially-stable people who are usually stable pillars of the community. The reasons to study banking are mostly related to the good pay and rich financial incentives available to top bankers. Still, most bankers are mindful of community needs, and therefore many bankers are quite philanthropic, using their social and business position to help others less fortunate.

Types of Banking Courses

Banking, like other professions, may be divided into areas of specialization. Banking classes are widely available for the following types of general and specialty banking niches:

Mortgage Banking

Mortgage banking is focused on originating, funding and servicing mortgage loans, which are typically loans used to purchase real estate such as homes, commercial buildings, and farms. Some of the topics covered in mortgage-banking courses include loan origination and loan processing, underwriting, government-loan programs, marketing, tax analysis, and fraud prevention.

Retail Banking & Lending

Retail banking is bricks-and-mortar banking, the type of banking which serves walk-in clients in communities everywhere. Courses in retail banking teach banking students the concepts of bank branch management (BBM) and other skills necessary to work with retail banking clients.

Retail banking courses focus on teaching students the main types of retail and consumer loan products including auto loans, as well as retail financial services. Retail bank courses also teach the functions of bank tellers.

Finance & Accounting

Banks employ large numbers of professionals in support jobs related to finance and accounting. The topics typically covered in finance and accounting courses include asset management, capital markets, accounting, corporate finance, credit, financial derivatives, and treasury. Students who focus on banking, finance and accounting courses are usually highly focused on numbers and are often happiest when they are working with figures all day.

Investment Banking

Investment banking courses are aimed toward the most entrepreneurial niche of banking. Investment bankers provide financing for commercial projects on a large scale, and therefore they are less conservative than other types of bankers.

Those who wish to begin a career in investment banking will study the theory and practice of private equity and the concepts of managing hedge funds. They also usually learn about equity research and study asset management and corporate finance and strategy, and sometimes they study the concepts of private wealth management as well.

Commercial Banking & Merchant Banking

Commercial banking and merchant banking are focused on financing short- and mid-term credit needs of businesses of all sizes. Commercial bankers provide the nuts-and-bolts financing that keeps business moving worldwide. Those who work toward a career in commercial banking tend to be detail-oriented problem-solvers with a talent for sorting through complex issues. Students who would like to enter this fascinating banking niche should expect to study topics such as the classes of borrowers, risks in lending, how to deal with non-performing assets, technology in banking, and foreign exchange.

In summary, it can be said that courses in banking are available in several different banking niches. Serious students can easily study banking, whether online or in bricks-and-mortar schools, in order to begin a rewarding and profitable banking career.

Depending on the university or school you go to, you might receive a commerce degree or a business degree, with a marketing major. This degree will teach you the basics of the marketing professions, including but not limited to market research, strategising, marketing plans, budgeting etc.

Marketing Degree Programs

While most regular colleges offer marketing degrees; thanks to the advent of online degree programs, you can choose to pursue your marketing degree online if you wish. Marketing programs can be pursued as an Associate Degree, a Bachelor’s Degree or even as postgraduate and doctorate degrees.

An associate degree in marketing teaches you the basic skills of the world of marketing. It will take you about two years to complete the course and is a good starting point for a marketing career.

A bachelor’s degree in marketing goes into much more detail than an associate degree, and is about four years long. Once you complete your bachelor’s, you can pursue a master’s degree that might take one or two years to achieve and then even move on to the doctorate marketing degree program that can take four to six years to complete.

While a marketing degree is technically not essential for a marketing career, it is considered a very important asset. Most marketing professionals at least possess the very basic associate marketing degree, if not many more qualifications so you should seriously consider pursuing a marketing degree as well. Better qualifications coupled with experience can lead to you receiving quality job offers with excellent pay packets.

Careers In Marketing

A degree in marketing sets you up for a career in a very dynamic field. The field of marketing today is very different to what it was even five years ago. For example, online marketing professionals are receiving excellent pay packets these days while 10 years ago, very few companies felt the need for an online marketing expert. A marketing degree is therefore a good choice, and some of the career options available to you include:

• Market researcher
• Marketing analyst
• Online marketing expert
• Brand marketing
• Marketing and PR specialists
• Marketing consultants
• Account Executives
• Marketing Managers
• Advertising

These are just some of the options available to you. Do some research and you will find a number of other opportunities are available to graduates with marketing degrees.

Marketing is an interesting and ever changing field and if you like the thrill of it and enjoy a creatively and intellectually stimulating career, then a marketing degree is perfectly suited for you.
Find Online Degree Programs in Marketing.