Why Distance Learning MBA Has No Value?

A few years back when I was working for a consultancy, I was asked to recruit marketing professionals for top companies. They asked me to ignore CVs of candidates who have done part-time MBA or MBA through distance learning.

A candidate may opt for part-time MBA or distance learning for the following reasons:
1. If they are the sole earner in the family.
2. If they cannot leave their current job due to unavoidable circumstances.
There could be many genuine reasons for choosing these modes of study.

If top companies are specifically seeking candidates with full-time MBA qualifications, then what is the value of pursuing a part-time MBA or MBA through distance education? These individuals may possess the necessary experience, but simply because they have not completed a full-time MBA, they may miss out on opportunities to work in prestigious companies.

If this is the scenario, then why do management institutes offer such programs if they hold no significance in the job market?

Even today, recruiters ask such questions to candidates: "You have done MBA, is it part-time or full-time?" I mean, why should it matter? You check his experience, stability, knowledge, communication skills, etc.

It's all a matter of supply and demand. If there are not enough candidates with a full-time MBA, then the organization will consider candidates with an MBA completed through other modes. This issue has been discussed on CiteHr before. Please search and read the discussions. I found one at https://www.citehr.com/189943-why-to...ance-mode.html

The management that rejects MBAs on the ground of part-time is not objective in their decision; they are subjective. Performance is the yardstick for employment, not whether your degree is from a part-time or full-time university.

To secure a job nowadays, a candidate is required to possess good communication skills in the English language, followed by a first-class degree, i.e., above 60 percent, and pass all the papers in the first attempt, etc., for those who pursue a course in regular education and not in distance mode. The candidates who secured a postgraduate/graduate degree through distance education are not preferred in corporate settings. It is believed that only regular, i.e., in a college/campus of a university or a business school, degrees are considered valuable. Placement consultants are very particular about placing regular course students. Why is this so? Nobody gives a valid answer. It is believed that regular education is the only way to provide ample scope for learning, practicing the learning, understanding the practical aspects, etc. That's why distance education is considered unwanted. HR Managers are also reluctant to select candidates from a distance education background.

Step-motherly treatment is being meted out to distance education degrees and candidates. However, for employed/experienced individuals, distance education degrees/qualifications offer good knowledge of the trade and subjects. The only plus point from distance education.

Distance education candidates who pursue the course are usually sufficiently aged and experienced, and Distance Education Universities do not give much time-bound prominence to the courses. Printed notes/study materials are dispatched to the candidates by the University CDE Departments. If the candidates send emails to the directorate for any clarifications, the message bounces immediately. The so-called study centers appointed by a university for educational assistance to the candidates/students are primarily focused on collecting money on time and offer little else.

It is the primary function of the UGC/CDE to create value for the courses and the candidates in achieving their life goals. Corporates should gain wisdom in this matter and give weightage to distance education graduates too. Only then can confidence be instilled in paying attention to CDE.

Knowledge and quality must be given importance and not anything else.

Dear Sundar,

You are right about the poor support given to distance education students in India. Please see https://www.citehr.com/464168-concen...ml#post2068064.

It's not the case with all distance learning courses. I think it's a problem with private institutions that are after the money rather than the service. As I mentioned in my earlier post, it's a question of supply and demand: if there are more candidates to choose from than the number of vacancies, then why will companies bother about students from such institutions? Students from IIMs, etc., will have formed a personal network through which they will find jobs.

One thing important to remember in this context is 'a private organization, which is to recruit people for any job, is free to make their own rules & processes'. How can anyone debate that ignoring applicants with an MBA through distant education is not justified? If I am the CEO, I will decide the criteria to shortlist applicants if there is a good response to our job advertisement.

As clearly pointed out above by the Super Moderator, Nashbramhall, it is all a question of 'demand & supply'. So the market forces determine the shortlisting criteria for recruitment. Take, for example, admissions to Delhi University degree-level courses this year. Only this morning we heard the news that the cutoff for admissions to reputed colleges is above 99% marks in 10+2. Can someone with 90% argue that he/she should also be given a chance? When the market offers enough candidates with a score of 99% & above, why should the top colleges look for others? In a similar manner, if the market provides enough applicants with a full-time MBA Degree from premier institutes, why should an employer shortlist candidates from other management training institutes or those candidates who have earned an MBA through part-time/distant education?

I know it is painful to the affected candidates, but no organization can afford to conduct interviews of all the applicants to determine the best fit for a job. That is why defining shortlisting criteria is a standard practice & is an essential part of the recruitment process.

In most cases, MBA candidates from distance courses are pathetic. They are not even fit to do a clerk's job. MBA is a course that goes beyond passing 16 papers. It's about presentation, knowledge application, and improved analytical skills. Distance learning courses do not provide you with these skills.

Part-time courses have very limited teaching time, making it difficult to complete the required subject courses. Furthermore, individuals who are already employed do not have the time to engage in the extra work that MBAs often entail. Consequently, the end product tends to be of lower quality.

When there are enough qualified MBAs available, why would someone choose to hire a part-timer?

Even people who go for full-time MBA programs spend more than 3 lakhs in two years in almost all institutions. I have observed that students are either not regular in attendance or have only 2 hours of class before heading back home. Sometimes, even the lecturers don't invest much in teaching because they feel bored teaching a limited number of candidates. It's simply a waste of money.

I agree that this has definitely been the scenario nowadays. However, I would say that the best option for pursuing a part-time or Executive MBA is to do it while working. This way, you can achieve a higher position within your job profile by completing these higher education courses.