Do PMBAs Match Up To Traditional Business Schools?
For many aspiring business professionals, personal MBAs (PMBAs) represent a breath of fresh air. Essentially, you follow an online syllabus, read selected course materials, and complete projects and papers at your own pace. Some PMBA networks even have peer review options and online discussion groups so that you don’t have to work in isolation. With a reading list of 50-100 books (your biggest expense by far), PMBAs are an attractive alternative to more mainstream MBA programs costing $80K or more. But….

Do PMBAs really match up to online or campus-based MBA programs?

Well, PMBAs certainly have strong supporters; especially those with entrepreneurial aspirations. The tuition you save can come in handy when it’s time to launch your first start-up. But do-it-yourself (DIY) learning lacks some of the biggest advantages of the traditional business school model:

Online and Campus-based MBAs Give You a Degree
One of the main reasons for pursuing an MBA in the first place is to get out of the cubicle and shatter that glass ceiling. While a PMBA can provide you with the necessary skills for career advancement, it won’t give you a degree. You’ll have to sell the merits of your PMBA to each potential employer. Traditional MBAs pretty much speak for themselves. Why handicap yourself?

Online and Campus-based MBAs Provide Networking Opportunities
As most any business student can tell you, networking is a vital component of the MBA experience. Schmoozing and group projects often constitute a major portion of your 1-2 years of study. It’s not uncommon to find yourself working with former classmates once you graduate and enter the professional world. While PMBAs allow networking, the whole concept of DIY education doesn’t lend itself well to this particular approach since each person works at his or her own pace. You might walk away with many friends, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can extract viable business relationships from these interactions.

Online and Campus-based MBAs Provide Professional Feedback
Feedback from your peers can prove invaluable in many disciplines, business included. But receiving guidance from a trained instructor is crucial to the learning process. Business school is a journey of discovery. However, that “journey” becomes most successful when you have the proper map and compass. This is where the professors come in.

If you’re a busy professional who thrives in unstructured and flexible environments, consider pursuing an online MBA. These degrees effectively combine the benefits of campus-based programs while still allowing for scheduling flexibility and independence (much like a PMBA). And after completing all of your modules, you can walk away with a marketable degree.