iMBA Degree Information

Confused About the Difference Between an Online MBA and an iMBA? Don't worry - so is everyone else. We hope this article will help us all understand it a little better.

More and more colleges and universities around the world are beginning to offer MBA programs for students off campus. These programs and what they require from you can be confusing. Some programs are referred to as eLearning, distance learning, iMBA, and Online MBA. It is extremely important to know what the differences are between these programs and what they will require from you and what they will do for you.

eLearning is probably the most misunderstood term currently used. eLearning in its most basic form means "electronic learning". Now there is an implication that the term eLearning is scholastic, but eLearning can mean that software came with a video tutorial instead of a manual. eLearning doesn't need to be interactive. eLearning can also apply, for example, to training sessions where the trainer is hundreds of miles away from his/her “class” or group and is using a teleconference method. So while eLearning may sound academic it usually is not.

Distance Learning, is a term that is almost always used in the academic circles, more and more universities with actual physical campuses are calling their online courses "distance learning" programs to distinguish themselves from "virtual universities", which are groups that have no physical campus or instructional halls but do have an accredited online curriculum. Some universities that offer distance learning also have iMBA programs. Distance learning is also used by high schools and other instructional facilities so once again this term can be a bit elusive in its actual meaning, but is less vague than eLearning.

The term iMBA is a newer term and newer type of offering from universities. Online MBA programs and iMBA have some similarities but also have some very strong differences. For starters any school offering an iMBA has actual physical campuses and residence halls. In fact the main difference between an iMBA and an Online MBA is that the iMBA program requires at minimum one week per semester of residence and class attendance on the campus. Therefore if you reside 500-miles from your chosen school, you'll need to plan at least a week long trip every few months for school. iMBA courses often offer the exact same curriculum and faculty as the full-time MBA resident program and is designed this way to foster dedication and connection to the college, the faculty, and the student body. Online MBA programs, which may be referred to as distance learning, do not require any such residency and may have courses specifically tailored for the online student body.

When considering an iMBA versus an Online MBA, be sure to look into what your selected school offers and any differences in the curriculum and attendance requirements.