Looking for MBA for working professionals in India? Explore course options, salary, top colleges and much more in this article.
MBA is an acronym for the Master of Business Administration (MBA), an internationally recognized program designed to develop skills required for careers in business and management. With a degree in MBA, a student can pursue a managerial career in the public sector, government, private industry, and other areas.
With time this program has evolved to match the industry requirements. Across the globe, MBA follows a similar format, ie. two years of the full-time program.
Eligibility for applying
- Graduation in any stream with 50% aggregate marks
- Minimum of two years of experience such criteria changes from college to college
- A valid score card of GMAT or CAT
This article will discuss the MBA program for working professionals in full length, also known as an executive MBA program.
Also Read on MBA Admission
Executive MBA
Executive Master of Business Administration is a one-to-two-year program aimed at business executives, managers, entrepreneurs, etc., having at least two years of work experience. Students of such a course attend classes on weekends, keeping up with work on weekdays.
The majority of the time, the executive MBA program is funded by the employer. Such a course is designed to strengthen a student’s managerial insight and business expertise, enabling them to adapt to a rapidly changing business environment.
| Institutes | Courses |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad |
| XLRI | Jamshedpur |
| IIFT | Delhi |
| IMT | Ghaziabad |
| SPJIMER | Mumbai |
| GLIM | Chennai |
| ISB Hyderabad | Hyderabad |
| IIM Bangalore | Bangalore |
| FMS | Delhi |
Read More: Executive MBA
Distance MBA
The distance MBA program is a satisfying career choice for people who are unable to complete a full-time MBA program owing to a variety of factors such as financial constraints, job schedules, and so on. For working professionals who are unable to attend classes due to their jobs, distance learning for MBA provides a flexible and cost-effective option.
| Institutes | Location |
| Annamalai University | Chennai |
| Lovely Professional University | Jalandhar |
| Amity University | Noida |
| IGNOU | Delhi |
| SIU Pune | Pune |
| Osmania University | Hyderabad |
| ICFAI University | Jaipur |
| Prin L.N Welingkar Institute of Management | New Delhi |
| NMIMS | Mumbai |
Read More: Distance MBA
One Year MBA
Like distance MBA programs, online MBA courses also provide the flexibility and affordability to study at home while working. One of the plus points of online MBA programs is that they provide global outreach to study at the best universities or colleges in the world while comfortably at home, reducing the cost of living
The following is a list of top colleges to pursue an online MBA:
| Name of Institute | Location |
| ISB Hyderabad | Hyderabad |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad |
| IIM Bangalore | Bangalore |
| SPJIMER | Mumbai |
| MDI | Gurguram |
| LBSIM | New Delhi |
| XIMB | Bhuvneshwar |
| FSM | Delhi |
Online MBA
Like distance MBA programs, online MBA courses also provide flexibility and affordability to study at home while working. One of the plus points of online MBA programs is that they provide global outreach to study from the best universities or colleges at comfort of your home while reducing the cost of living.
List of top colleges to pursue an Online MBA is following:
| Name of Institute | Location |
| Amity University (Amity Online) | Noida |
| National Institute of Business Management | Chennai |
| Pondicherry University | Pondicherry |
| OP Jindal Global University | Sonepat |
| Manipal University | Manipal |
| Manav Rachna Centre For Distance And Online Education | Faridabad |
| Alagappa University | Karaikudi |
| Parul University | Vadodara |
Read More: Online Mode
List of MBA Specialisations for Working Professionals
The MBA degree is offered in different areas of specialization from which students can choose based on their interests and skills. Here is the list of MBA Specialisations that are provided in India for working professionals:
- Human Resource Management
- Operations Management
- Project Management
- Marketing
- International Business
- Financial Management
- Construction Management
- Hospital Administration
- Rural Management
MBA - Human Resource Management
The MBA in Human Resource Management is a two-year program that introduces students to management by using human resources as a resource. The course is designed for individuals who want to develop a career in human resources. For every industry to have highly qualified and experienced employees, HRM is essential.
The following are the top colleges to pursue an MBA Human Resource Management:
| Name of Institute | Location |
| IIM Bangalore | Bangalore |
| MDI Gurugram | Gurugram |
| Delhi University | Delhi |
| Amity University | Noida |
| IP University | Delhi |
| Anna University | Chennai |
Read More: MBA Human Resource Management
MBA - Operations Management
This two-year postgraduate degree course is focused on managing logistics and supply chain processes in an organization and provides a framework of management methods adapted to different industries.
The following are the top colleges to pursue an MBA in Operations Management:
| Name of Institute | Location |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad |
| IIM Bangalore | Bangalore |
| IIM Calcutta | Kolkata |
| IIM Lucknow | Lucknow |
| IIT Kharagpur | Kharagpur |
| IIM Kozhikode | Kozhikode |
| IIM Indore | Indore |
| IIT Delhi | Delhi |
| XLRI | Jamshedpur |
| MDI | Gurugram |
Read More: MBA Operations Management
MBA - Project Management
An MBA in Project Management teaches students to strategize and act decisively in a dynamic environment over two years. Students learn how to plan and lead for and achieve the most desired goals of a company.
The following are the top colleges to pursue an MBA in Project Management:
| Name of Institute | Location |
| IIT Kanpur | Kanpur |
| IIM Indore | Indore |
| SPJIMER | Mumbai |
| IIM Rohtak | Rohtak |
| Sikkim Manipal University | East Sikkim |
| IMR | Ghaziabad |
| IBMR | Bangalore |
| Dibrugarh University | Dibrugarh |
| Kanpur Institute of Technology | Kanpur |
| Pacific University | Udaipur |
Read More: MBA Project Management
MBA - Marketing
During a two-year MBA Marketing degree program, students gain knowledge in marketing, consumer behaviour, advertising, managerial communication, market research, and customer relationship management.
The following are the top colleges to pursue an MBA in Marketing:
| Name of Institute | Location |
| SPJIMER | Mumbai |
| IMT Nagpur | Nagpur |
| XISS Ranchi | Ranchi |
| NL Dalmia | Mumbai |
| NIILM Delhi | Delhi |
| KSOM | Bhubaneswar |
| MITSOB | Pune |
| JBIMS | Mumbai |
| IIM Bangalore | Bangalore |
| SIBM | Bangalore |
Read More: MBA Marketing
MBA - International Business
A two-year MBA in International Business integrates international business, international finance, and e-commerce. The course promotes a more interdependent and interconnected global economy by providing a basic understanding of international business.
The following are the top colleges to pursue an MBA in International Business:
| Name of Institute | Location |
| IIM Calcutta | Kolkata |
| IIM Lucknow | Lucknow |
| IIFT | Delhi |
| XLRI | Jamshedpur |
| SIMB | Pune |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | Delhi |
| Amity University | Noida |
| Lovely Professional University | Jalandhar |
| MDI | Gurguram |
| IMI | Bhubaneswar |
Read More: MBA International Business
MBA - Financial Management
MBA Finance Management focuses on budgeting, finance, and analytics during the two-year postgraduate program. Students enrolled in the MBA in Finance program are prepared to manage finance and accounts in any type of business. In addition to job prospects in the banking sector, MBA finance graduates have diverse career options.
The following are the top colleges to pursue an MBA in Finance Management:
| Name of Institute | Location |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad |
| FSM | Delhi |
| IIM Calcutta | Kolkata |
| IIM Lucknow | Lucknow |
| SPJIMER | Mumbai |
| IIM Bangalore | Bangalore |
| XLRI | Jamshedpur |
| IIM Indore | Indore |
| IIM Kozhikode | Kozhikode |
| MDI | Gurugram |
Read More: MBA Financial Management
MBA - Construction Management
A Master of Business Administration in Construction Management is designed for individuals who desire to pursue a career in the construction industry. This program is focused on India's construction sector. The construction industry offers limitless opportunities for career advancement.
The following are the top colleges to pursue an MBA in Construction Management:
| Name of Institute | Location |
| SCDL | New Delhi |
| NMIMS | Mumbai |
| IMT | Ghaziabad |
| SRM University | Sonepat |
| IGNOU | Delhi |
| Lovely Professional University | Jalandhar |
| Chandigarh University | Mohali |
| Annamalai University | Chennai |
| Amity University | Noida |
| Andhra University | Visakhapatnam |
MBA - Hospital Administration
A two-year MBA in Hospital Administration focuses on learning business management strategies such as entrepreneurialism, healthcare management, planning and budgeting in addition to hospital management principles.
The following are the top colleges to pursue an MBA in Hospital Administration:
| Name of Institute | Location |
| Chitkara University | Rajpura |
| IIHMR | Jaipur |
| GIM | Goa |
| HITS | Chennai |
| Chandigarh University | Mohali |
| BIMTECH | Noida |
| Lovely Professional University | Jalandhar |
| Amity Global Business School | Bangalore |
| School of Management | Manipal |
| FMS | Delhi |
MBA - Rural Management
An MBA Rural Management concentrates on advanced management lessons relating to planning, organizing, and controlling cooperatives and other organizations in the agriculture field. MBA Rural Management is a 2-year postgraduate program that prepares students for planning, organizing, and controlling rural and agricultural enterprises.
The following are the top colleges to pursue an MBA in Rural Management:
| Name of Institute | Location |
| IRMA | Anand |
| FMS IRM | Rajasthan |
| KSOM | Bhubaneswar |
| XISS Ranchi | Ranchi |
| DMI | Patna |
| GBPSSI | Allahabad |
| ASRM | Noida |
| XIDAS | Jabalpur |
| Welingkar Institute of Management | Mumbai |
| Xavier School of Rural Management (XSRM) | Odisha |
MBA Syllabus
The syllabus of an MBA program usually varies with institutes. However, the generalized MBA syllabus is mentioned below for a better understanding:
- Provides a strong foundation in business concepts in subjects like accounting, finance, and marketing
- Covers core subjects like accounting, economics, organizational behavior, marketing, operation management, business communication, etc
- Practical opportunities are given to students through group projects and internships.
- It helps students work on their hard and soft skills such as management, leadership, negotiation, etc.
- Emphasizes the importance of practical problem-solving and the development of cross-cultural competencies.
- Solid foundation in the area of Entrepreneurship
- Equips students with different lenses to analyze various business problems.
- Most popular MBA specializations include marketing, finance, human resources, operations, strategy, consulting, international management, and entrepreneurship.
Read More: MBA Syllabus
MBA for Working Professions: Pros and Cons
After the brief knowledge on MBA for working professionals, let us know the pros and cons of MBA.
MBA for Working Professionals: Pros
Below is the list of pros on Mba for working professionals:
- Practical Experience of Learning: Experiential learning is promoted by the actual application of what a person learns. Simultaneous knowledge and application promote self-learning and helps professionals become acquainted with new skills and knowledge.
- Easy Schedule: Gaining an MBA will always demand time commitment, but part-time Curriculums offer more flexible learning schedules by making you find time for studies. If you work full-time and wouldn't want to give up your job, look for a part-time MBA program that offers classes at times convenient for you, such as nights, weekends, or online.
- Increases Job Opportunities: Taking an MBA course and working simultaneously will help you advance in your career. It can help you improve your knowledge, understanding and gain experience, all of which can help you broaden your career scope.
- Continuous Growth in Career: The ability to work while pursuing a degree is the fascinating point of an MBA for working professionals. Unlike current employment constraints, students do not have to face the uncertainty of a job search after graduation. You can keep working and seek greater responsibilities within the same organization.
MBA for Working Professionals: Cons
Below is the list of cons on Mba for working professionals:
- Improper classroom experience: As we already know, an MBA degree is not complete without peer-to-peer interaction and connectivity. You will have few ways to connect as a weekend MBA student, even less so for students pursuing an MBA from a distance or online. This is a significant disadvantage for experts who would like to broaden their knowledge through open communication.
- Motivational Loss: Getting a part-time MBA while working full-time and juggling other responsibilities is comparable to running a marathon. Because of the longer MBA completion time, you may run out of endurance halfway through. Students who choose a part-time MBA must be vigilant in recalling their goals and maintaining their motivation; otherwise, they risk running out of steam before receiving their degree.
What are the Career Benefits of the Executive MBA Program?
Working professionals pursuing such a course widen their career prospects and are equipped for higher-up positions in their organization. Enrolling in the Executive program enhances their managerial and strategic skills to make better business decisions. Such a degree accelerates one’s career and helps develop a secure network, boosts knowledge, and hones vital skills.
MBAs provide specializations in human resource, finance, marketing, supply chain management, retail management, operation management, etc. allowing students to switch into other sectors or domains. Career options include working as a business operation manager, market research analyst, top executive, human resource manager, etc. Pursuing an MBA is also a gateway for making your entrepreneur journey come true.
Post- MBA Salary
Following successful completion of an MBA for Working Professional degree, the following are the career opportunities and their average salaries:
| Job Role | Average Salary |
| Account Manager | INR 6 LPA |
| Brand Manager | INR 9 LPA |
| Risk Manager | INR 10 LPA |
| Project Manager | INR 12 LPA |
| Sales Manager | INR 6 LPA |
| Digital Marketing Manager | INR 6 LPA |
| Marketing Manager | INR 7 LPA |
| Management Consultant | INR 12 LPA |
| Human Resource Manager | INR 7 LPA |
| Investment Banker | INR 9 LPA |
Read More: MBA Salary
FAQ’s
- What’s the fee structure of an executive MBA program?
Fee structure hugely varies from college to college, like pursuing MBA from IIM cost nearly 24 lakhs while for other colleges, it ranges from 4 lakhs to 10 lakhs.
- Is there any option for distance education for MBA?
Yes
- Is it worth pursuing an Executive MBA?
The answer is yes because it brings ample opportunities for working professionals both who wish to upskill or are planning to switch careers.
- 4. Which is better, an executive MBA or Full-time MBA program?
Choosing between the options truly depends on the objective of a student. Students willing to pursue further studies opt for a full-time course while working professionals looking to sharpen their skills or switch careers opt for Executive MBA.
