At what point is a FT MBA actually disadvantageous?

Question

This topic is intended to gather thoughts and perhaps analysis on break points for people's decisions between going for a FT MBA, a Part Time MBA or even skipping an MBA in favor of career, perhaps adding in another designation like CPA or CFA.

Let's assume all potential MBA programs in question are "comparably" regarded and among the top tiers.

So how does it work out? There is certainly a salary cut off where it is financially advantageous NOT to go Full Time. What about the softer side of a full time MBA insofar as networking and personal/professional polish? There are many factors, but that is what the discussion is intended for.

Xisiqomelir · Answer

Personally, I just don't take any part-time program seriously. Part-time programs simply cannot provide the academic rigour of a full-time course, and part-time students aren't immersing themselves in the business school experience to the same extent that full-time students are.

I view part-time programs and EMBAs as ways for companies to check a box on executives that they'd really rather not have undergo any further education at all, "But the clients and investors like seeing credentials, so let's do this thing as a compromise."

asimov · Answer

The reason to have an MBA for many is to advance his/her career. However, MBA detract your career by two years. You can do a cost/benefit on the effects of missing two years in your career. For most people, the benefit of better pay and more responsibility outweighs the cost in time and money. For others who are on the rocket trajectory to success, it doesn’t make sense to stop and get an MBA. For example, Steve Ballmer (MS CEO) chose to forgo Stanford GSB to start Microsoft with Bill Gates, and it worked out in his favor.

Another point to consider is the school you are going to. While elite MBA programs will most likely provide you the opportunity to advance your career, less prestigious programs may not (University of Phoenix).

Another point to consider is the school you are going to. While elite MBA programs will most likely provide you the opportunity to advance your career, less prestigious programs may not (University of Phoenix).

eminent · Answer

I guess a pretty extreme cut off would be if you're managing top tier MBAs. If your direct reports are HBS '08 or Columbia '09s... it's gotta be tough to go back to school.

ItsAllinTheCards · Answer

I've always thought that the one thing that PT MBA's do exactly the same as FT MBA's is the academics. You exchange the FT MBA experience for work experience, but you match the academic rigor and content. Are there specific examples of programs where the academics are significantly different FT vs PT?

hypermeganet · Answer

Definitely not the case for the majority of programs. How can PT students that work 40+ hours per week be expected to maintain the same academic level as students who do it on a FT basis? Even if they're only taking 2 classes per semester, professors understand (and, as such cut slack) that students in PT programs can't devote the same amount of time to coursework.

I took 2 PT, evening classes at a VERY prominent MBA program as well as FT MBA classes (2 of 'em) as an undergrad at the same school. The evening professors were adjuncts and we were gifted an inordinate amount of extra time for homeworks and I didn't feel the exams were on the same level.

At what point is a FT MBA actually disadvantageous?

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