Hi,
There are two online programs introduced recently:
1. https://www.iimidr.ac.in/executive-programmes/master-degree-programme/executive-management-programme-mms/
2. https://www.spjimr.org/course/post-graduate-diploma-in-management-online-pgdm-online/

For someone who doesn't want to spend 2 years in a regular on-campus MBA and who wants to work in India primarily, which of these 2 seems a better fit? Both are from reputed institutes.

The IIM Indore course is about 50% more expensive than the SPJIMR course and the degree offered is Masters of Management studies. Hence I am a bit apprehensive about it as to how will it be received by the industry.

If anyone has any other pointers on how should I go about evaluating these programs/any such programs in the future, please let me know.

These look very similar in design and content. IIMI will have a more experienced cohort. SPJIMR offers three immersions rather than two. Both are around 800 hours of tuition. Personally, I think MMS sounds a bit better than ‘Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Online)’. Is IIMI's alumni network more valuable for your caree goals?

Hi Stuart, thank you for replying.

How did you get 800 hours of tuition for SPJIMR? It seems like SPJIMR has a more rigorous program compared to IIM Indore. The total number of tuition hours comes to around 1700+ over 2 years (16.5 hours of classes per week), which is almost twice that of IIM Indore's (8.5 hours of classes per week).

But you are right, MMS sounds better than PGDM (online). Hence, I am still evaluating both of these.

Point to be noted: PGDM is a well-known degree in India. Even IIMs used to offer PGDM only & not MBA. Only in the last 4-5 years, they have switched to calling the degree MBA.

By the way, what is your opinion of the Executive MBA at IIM Udaipur? https://www.iimu.ac.in/programs/emba-executive-mba-program/emba-at-a-glance

It has about 1000+ hours of study (10.5 hours per week), 2 campus immersions, and the degree would say MBA. I recently came across it and am leaning towards this one.

My goals are to be eligible for management and product roles in the immediate future and to be eligible for roles in the government of India in the later part of my career. They can be kind of apprehensive about online degrees.

[Edited by lelouch_9 on Jan 15, 2024]

Quora has some helpful posts. Answer to How similar / different are IIM Indore and Spjimr? by Anonymous https://www.quora.com/How-similar-different-are-IIM-Indore-and-Spjimr/answers/3080281?ch=15&oid=3080281&share=2a7ba226&srid=sdqb&target_type=answer

Spjimr feels better for India, and IIMI better for global roles because of the larger network.

Hi Stuart and Duncan,
For some reason, my earlier reply to the post wasn't accepted. Anyway, thanks for your input!
Stuart, could you let me know where you saw 800 hours of tuition for SPJIMR? It is almost 1800 hours according to the brochure and website(16.5 hours per week) which is almost twice that of IIM Indore. It seems to be a more rigorous program and hence I was leaning towards it.
But your point about MMS sounding better than PGDM(online) is also valid, even though PGDM is an acceptable and well-known degree in India. Even IIMs used to offer it till about 4-5 years back, when they shifted to calling the degree an MBA.

My career goals are to be able to move into a managerial role after a few years of tech-oriented work and also to be able to work for the Indian government down the line, they are very particular about making people ineligible if the degree is online and things like that.

By the way, I came across a new program from IIM Udaipur: https://www.iimu.ac.in/programs/emba-executive-mba-program/emba-at-a-glance

Can you share your impression of this one? The degree would be called "Master of Business Administration".

The figure of 1,800 hours wasn't described as tutorial time. That 16.5 hours includes the guest sessions on Monday/Fridays and group work on Sundays. So a feasible calculation is 13.5 hours for 6 terms of 10 weeks. But if the terms are longer... then SPJIMR is well ahead of IIMI.





PS The IIMU programme looks very good. I like the wide range of electives. However, SPJIMR might be a stronger brand and a more powerful network.

[Edited by Duncan on Jan 24, 2024]