Posted at 10:00 a.m.
What university degree will you obtain after the MBA and the Executive MBA?
“Whether you do a regular MBA or an Executive MBA, you get the same grade, that of MBA, and that’s the way it is in all universities,” says Kamal Bouzinab, director of the MBA for executives at the School of Management Sciences of the University of Quebec in Montreal (ESG UQAM).
What work experience is required for each program?
MBA programs require little or no work experience. At HEC Montréal, it’s a minimum of three years. At Concordia and McGill, it’s a minimum of two years, while at ESG UQAM, we take candidates who have between zero and four years of work experience.
It is something else on the side of the MBA for executives. That of ESG UQAM requires four years of experience as a manager, but this can vary depending on the educational background.
That of McGill-HEC Montreal requires 10 years of work experience, including five in a management position. “The Executive MBA is for people who are already managers and aiming for a senior management position, while for the MBA, it is people who want to move into a management position,” explains Kevin J. Johnson, director of MBA programs at HEC Montreal, where students have an average of six years of work experience.
Executive MBA programs also accept some applicants who do not have a university degree on the basis of management experience.
Do you fall between two chairs?
Sometimes, however, candidates have several years of work experience, without having a management position. The Management Consulting MBA at ESG UQAM was created for this type of profile. Some standard MBAs also have several students who have acquired ten years of work experience.
It also happens that without having a management position, the person accumulates management responsibilities. Generally, it is during the interview that these elements are clarified. “For example, an engineer who has seven years of work experience, who does not have a management position, but who has managed many projects and developed many communication skills could be recommended to go to the MBA for executives,” explains Rahul Ravi, director of the EMBA at Concordia University.
Are you ready to give in addition to receiving?
During the interview, the person’s motivation and attitude are also looked at. Because unlike MBAs, EMBAs are largely based on experience sharing.
“In the Executive MBA, we come to give and receive,” says Kamal Bouzinab. It is also for this reason that the cohort is made up of people in employment. They can talk in class about the challenges they are experiencing in their organization and discuss the subject with their colleagues and professors. Everyone should be able to bring something to the group. »
What is the price difference?
Prices for MBAs and Executive MBAs mostly depend on whether they are private or government subsidized. MBAs are generally subsidized. Concordia University offers it at $6,900, UQAM at $9,000 and HEC Montréal at $9,100. McGill makes an exception here by having privatized its program, offered at $82,500 for Canadians and permanent residents.
Executive MBAs are often privatized. This is the case for the one offered jointly by McGill and HEC Montréal ($91,000) and that of Concordia ($75,000). However, ESG UQAM has decided to keep it subsidized and offer it at the same price as its ordinary MBA.