A hybrid MBA is a Master of Business Administration that is partly delivered online with regular in-person sessions. Working professionals who wish to pursue such a programme, but do not have the time to attend school frequently, and who need direct human contact to succeed in their studies, will find that hybrid MBAs are an excellent compromise.
How does a hybrid MBA work?
As a compromise between fully online and in-person programmes, hybrid MBAs are mostly online programmes with regular on-campus sessions. These programmes typically last two years and are designed for working professionals with years of experience.
Online classes allow students to develop their skills in their chosen field while maintaining a good balance between their personal and professional lives. In fact, a hybrid MBA is more convenient because working professionals don’t have to stop working to achieve their goals and can continue to enjoy their family life by devoting only a certain amount of time each day to studying.
Various in-person events are organised on a regular basis. These can include on-campus lectures, induction seminars, meetings with business and thought leaders and are a perfect opportunity to develop your professional network and work on group projects.
What does a hybrid MBA programme include?
Hybrid MBA programmes can vary widely. They cater to a wide range of professionals who wish to start a transformative journey in their career. Each school has its own curriculum, so take the time to consider your objectives before choosing your MBA. In general, they tend to focus on management and leadership, often with specialisation tracks to customise your experience.
As participants are working professionals, the programme is designed to help them acquire practical skills that they can use immediately in their jobs as soon as the MBA starts. With the inclusion of group projects in the programme, participants have many opportunities to develop practical skills and share ideas with each other.
The numerous in-person events allow participants to take the programme to the next level. The nature of these events varies from MBA to MBA, but for example, they may meet before the start of the programme to create a cohesive mindset.
What are the benefits of a hybrid MBA?
A hybrid MBA is a programme tailored for experienced professionals, which means you will develop advanced skills such as decision-making, ethical leadership, critical thinking, etc. The professional world is evolving rapidly, and learning about emerging trends such as digital transformation, climate change and sustainability is strategic for those who want to become leaders of change within their organisations.
As a working professional, you surely have a clear idea of what you want to achieve when looking for a programme. Your best option is to choose a hybrid MBA with specialisation tracks. This gives you the opportunity to tailor the curriculum to your own goals, for a more personalised experience.
Of course, the main advantage of a hybrid MBA is the possibility to learn at your own pace. With most of the courses being delivered online, it is much more convenient than an entirely in-person programme. But many prefer maintaining close contact with other participants during their MBA. It is the best way to build your social network, exchange ideas, etc.
Meeting other participants is also an excellent opportunity to work together on group projects.
Considerations before choosing a hybrid MBA
The impact of a hybrid MBA on your career depends heavily on the school you choose, especially if you are aiming for the highest positions in your company. You need to choose an internationally recognised institution that has already trained world-class professionals.
You should choose a school that has one or more of its programmes accredited by reputable institutions such as AACSB, AMBA or EQUIS. You should also check whether the school you are interested in has made it into international rankings such as those of the Financial Times.
A strong alumni network is also an important factor to consider. Not only does it show that the school has trained many business leaders over the years. It will also help you develop your professional network and open up job opportunities.
Finally, take some time to think about time management. Although hybrid MBAs are more convenient, they are still a time commitment. You need to think ahead about how you will fit your schedule around your learning experience.
Start your Online MBA with EDHEC Business School
Hybrid MBAs have many advantages for working professionals, but you still have to attend school regularly to complete the programme. If you are interested in a specific school in another country, this may be difficult for you. In this case, you can choose an Online MBA, which is entirely online, except for milestone moments. For example, EDHEC Business School’s Online MBA includes an induction seminar and an in-person learning expedition, making the programme more accessible to participants around the world.
Start a transformative journey for your career with EDHEC Business School, a pioneer and leader in e-learning.