This Article Explores:

 

• Introduction
• What is an Online MBA?
• What is a Distance MBA Programme?
• Understanding the Difference Between Online MBA and MBA Distance Education
• Universities Offering Online and Distance MBA Degrees
• Preference of Potential Employers on Choosing Candidates Based on Online MBA and Distance MBA

 

Are you expecting a promotion anytime soon in your job? A higher designation means higher responsibilities and better management skills. So, this is the right time you start preparing to elevate your career. And what can be a better way than enrolling for an MBA course? 

 

Master of Business Administration or MBA is among the most popular and sought-after post-graduate programmes people take up. Data from UGC reflects an increase in online education enrolment by almost 170%, with almost 28,956 enrolments in online MBA. 

The majority of professionals take up this course while pursuing their jobs. They either pursue an online MBA course or choose a distance MBA programme. 

 

Many people are mistaken by the idea that an online and distance course is the same. However, they are different from one another. The only point of relief is that certification from both courses is accredited and recognised in India and abroad. 

 

If you are confused between online MBA courses and MBA distance education, this blog will help you understand their features and differences for finding the right solution. 

 

What is an online MBA?

Does your office schedule not permit you time to go and attend a physical MBA class in some institute or university? An online MBA is the best option in this situation. In this study programme, you can take up the course from any part of the world and pursue it. You will just need a laptop/computer/smartphone/tablet with active internet connectivity. 

 

Online MBA courses use the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) like Collaborates, Moodle or Blackboard for discussions, sharing multimedia lectures, conducting exams and sending necessary resources to the students. Moreover, you avoid any hassles of attending physical classes in an online MBA. Think about all the money and time you will save that would otherwise have been spent commuting.

What is a distance MBA programme?

A distance course is also known as a ‘correspondence course’. Working professionals, as well as job aspirants, can enrol for a distance MBA course from a reputed university/institute. In distance learning programmes, learning resources and study materials are mostly sent to students via the post. 

 

Email is sometimes the preferred medium for delivering documents, PDF tutorials and video tutorials. Also, in distance education, you must attend a few classes at the study centre and appear physically for the examination. You have to complete assignments and send them to the university/institute via postal mail. 

Understanding the Difference Between Online MBA and MBA Distance Education

Understanding the difference between online MBA courses and distance MBA might be helpful for you if you are in a dilemma as to which course to choose. Let us take a look at the differences:

 

Factors	Online MBA	Distance MBA
Accessibility	Can be pursued by candidates owning a device with an active internet connection.  Students can pursue the course at their convenience. Study materials and other resources are available online.	Ideal for candidates who live in remote locations with no online study option.  Delivery of study materials to students via postal mail.  On assignment completion, students must send it to the institute/university via post.
Student-teacher communication and interaction	Have an interactive teaching method. Teacher-student interaction and communication occur via a digital platform like chat, video call, conference call, e-mail, etc. Students clear their doubts in these sessions regularly.	Classes held at the university/institute once in a while during the course session.  This is the time for communication and interaction between teachers and students.  No other modes of communication available.
Curriculum	Curriculum is similar to a regular MBA. Theoretical as well as practical lessons included.  Both theoretical and practical training take place virtually.	Curriculum is pretty concise.  Covers just the basic theoretical topics.  No practical training in this form.
Exposure	Students get optimum exposure in an online MBA course.  Host regular interactive live sessions with industry experts, webinars as well as sessions with alumni and veterans.	Does not have any kind of proper field or industrial visit.  The exposure of an MBA course is missing.
Networking	Students can connect with their teachers and fellow students through various discussion forums on the Learning Management System (LMS).  Students can network through alumni meets, virtual webinars and interactive sessions.	No scope for networking available.  No classes for student-teachers or student-student  interactions.  Lack of communication and interaction hampers networking.
Placement	Most universities/institutes offer career assistance and placement scopes.  Many universities also organise placement drives.	Do not have a specific placement process.  Students receive certification upon course completion. Job-hunting depends on students.

Universities Offering Online and Distance MBA Degrees

Here is a comprehensive list of universities offering online MBA programmes and distance MBA programmes. 

 

Name of the MBA course	Online MBA University	Distance MBA University
Finance Management	DY Patil deemed to be University Online Course fee - INR 1,60,000/- Dr M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, deemed to be university  Course fee - INR 1,57,000/- Vivekananda Global University Course fee - INR 1,30,000/- Course duration is 2 years for all the universities.	Suresh Gyan Vihar University Course fee - INR 58,000/- The course duration is 2 years for the university.
Human Resource Management	DY Patil deemed to be University Online Course fee - INR 1,60,000/- Dr M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, deemed to be university  Course fee - INR 1,57,000/- Vivekananda Global University Course fee - INR 1,30,000/- Course duration is 2 years for all the universities.	Suresh Gyan Vihar University Course fee - INR 58,000/- The course duration is 2 years for the university.
Healthcare Management	Manav Rachna, Centre for Distance and Online Education Course Fee - INR 1,44,000/- Vivekananda Global University Course fee - INR 1,30,000/- Course duration is 2 years for both universities.	Suresh Gyan Vihar University Course fee - INR 80,000/- The course duration is 2 years for the university.
Information Systems	Dr M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, deemed to be university  Course fee - INR 1,57,000/- Course duration is 2 years.
Operations Management	Dr M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, deemed to be university  Course fee - INR 1,57,000/- Vivekananda Global University Course fee - INR 1,30,000/- Course duration is 2 years for both universities.
Marketing Management	Dr M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, deemed to be university  Course fee - INR 1,57,000/- Vivekananda Global University Course fee - INR 1,30,000/- Course duration is 2 years for both universities.	Suresh Gyan Vihar University Course fee - INR 58,000/- The course duration is 2 years for the university.
Entrepreneurship Management	DY Patil deemed to be University Online Course fee - INR 1,60,000/- Course duration is 2 years.

Preference of Potential Employers on Choosing Candidates Based on Online MBA and Distance MBA

Gone are the days when employers did not give due weightage to online degrees, including online MBA. Today online MBA courses have the same valuation as regular courses. In an online MBA course, you have theoretical as well as practical classes, offering overall knowledge of the subject. However, a distance education MBA course fails to provide that. As a result, employers prefer hiring candidates with an online MBA degree than a distance education MBA degree. 

Summing It Up

On studying the differences between online MBA courses and MBA distance education programmes above, it is quite clear that online courses are a better option if you want more flexibility and convenience. When it comes to MBA, having thorough practical and theoretical knowledge is crucial; an online course provides just that. 

If you want to know which online MBA stream is the most suitable for you and which universities/colleges provide that course, visit upGrad Disha. This is an excellent platform where you can compare not only MBA courses but a myriad of other online degree programs.