EMBA v. Full Time (Columbia & Anderson)

Launched April 26, 2006
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:59 pm

EMBA v. Full Time (Columbia & Anderson)

by Ryan_TCPE » Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:46 pm
I have a dilemma.

At the moment I am trying to decide between Columbia's EMBA (weekends) and UCLA Anderson's full time program.

I am a partner in a small NYC artist management (music) firm. My position is unique in that I make my own hours and have the flexibility to (a) stay with my company full time while attending school part time or (b) to go to school full time and continue working remotely only 4 - 6 hrs per week in limited advisory role. I am welcome to return to the firm full time after school.

I have been accepted to both programs although my path to CBS EMBA acceptance was not exactly traditional: I applied to Columbia's full time program very late in the process (late March) and my decision letter stated that although adcom could not admit me to the full time program, they instead encouraged me to apply to their EMBA program because I am not looking to change industries. I applied and was accepted.

I had been leaning toward Anderson though, because (a) I wanted to be completely immersed in the MBA experience and (b) because I initially thought that the CBS EMBA program would not permit me to take electives with full time students. (Both schools have fantastic media & entertainment electives - a factor that is very important to me.)

However, as I now understand it - please correct me if I'm wrong - CBS still allows EMBA candidates to take classes with full time MBA students during the week, work schedule permitting. If this is the case, then given my relative autonomy at work, I could conceivably be able to enroll in any full time media & entertainment electives I want as long as I plan my work schedule correctly.

My questions are:
I. Is this true? Do EMBA students have the same chance to get a seat in elective courses as the full timers? Are full time MBA candidates given priority when registering for classes?

II. If I were able to take the electives and join the student groups I want at CBS, what would I be missing compared to the full time program at Anderson?

III. Generally speaking, how do EMBA degrees compare to full time MBA degrees in the eyes of potential employers?

Any advice or direction would be immensely appreciated.
Source: — Ask Stacy Blackman |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 3845
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pm
Location: Houston, TX
Thanked: 442 times
Followed by:148 members

by Lisa Anderson » Sat Jun 25, 2011 3:38 pm
Dear Ryan_TCPE,

How accessible elective courses, student clubs and other resources are to EMBA students at Columbia is really a question best answered by the Columbia EMBA office. Programs vary on what access EMBA students have to electives and other resources, so the most accurate answer will be from the school directly. It is possible you will have access to all that you want, but you should definitely confirm by asking the school explicitly before making your decision.

The difference between a full-time experience and an EMBA experience is mainly in the classroom. EMBA students generally have more experience (average work experience 14+ years) and are working while in school; thus classroom discussions are going to be from a different perspective, and faculty might tailor lectures/discussions toward the higher-level, strategic aspect of a case versus the tactics and details. Likewise, the course offerings and schedule are different due to EMBA students working while in the program. Other differences are around what you noted before--elective choices, student clubs and other resources. If you will have access to those items, then your experience might be more of a hybrid of the two programs.

Employers do not always note that a candidate earned his/her MBA in a full-time, part-time or EMBA program. Your degree will simply state MBA, so it will only be by asking you what program (or you noting it on your resume) that an employer will know. Employers will know if you worked and went to school at the same time by your resume, indicating you did a part-time or EMBA program, but which program you attended is really not of much significance to most employers. There are a handful of industries that prefer full-time MBAs, but even those have hired part-time and EMBA graduates who have the experience/background the company wants.

Good luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

Learn more about me