Executive and Part-Time MBA Programs See Application Volume Rise in 2010, GMAC Reports

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Demand for executive MBA (EMBA) programs rose significantly in 2010 and remained steady for part-time programs, though application volume for full-time programs continued its fall from peak levels in 2008, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) announced earlier this week.

GMAC released the findings of its 2010 Application Trends Survey, a global survey of 327 business schools in 39 countries, yesterday. According to survey results, programs aimed at people with significant work experience were particularly strong, with 59 percent of EMBA programs reporting that they received more applications this year than in 2009, up from 37 percent the year before. Part-time programs, which appeal to people hoping to juggle school along with family or work or other responsibilites, remained steady this year compared with 2009, with 43 percent of programs surveyed reporting increases.

Demand for full-time programs, meanwhile, continued to slide from the peak volumes experienced in 2008. Forty-four percent of full-time programs saw application volume rise this year, but that’s down from 66 percent in 2009 and 77 percent in 2008, when tough economic conditions made it seem like a particularly opportune time to pursue an advanced graduate management degree.

Master’s programs in finance, accounting and management reported healthy gains in application volume, in fact outpacing all MBA programs. More than 60 percent of the programs in each of these categories reported receiving more applications in 2010 than in 2009, according to the survey.

Dave Wilson, GMAC president and chief executive officer, noted that the findings suggest that schools will do best to stay flexible and be creative in the ways that they deliver management education. “People can always derive great value from going to business school; our surveys attest to this fact,” he said in a statement. “But many changing factors affect the kinds of programs that best meet their needs. Applicants need to find the very best fit for their own game plan.”

For the full survey results, click here.