Is a hybrid MBA programme worth it?

Business schools have come up with innovative ways to provide students with the best possible experience, while keeping safety at the forefront

A year after COVID-19 has disrupted the admissions process, making it more competitive than ever before, prospective MBA students may find themselves reconsidering their plans. Should they still consider attending a full-time MBA in an environment that still seems to be largely virtual or should they wait for a few years until in-person classes resume? Some are concerned that by attending classes virtually, they will miss out on the vibrant MBA experience, including networking opportunities and club activities, which are hallmarks of prestigious programmes. Business schools across the globe understand this and have come up with innovative ways to provide students with the best possible experience, while keeping safety at the forefront.

COVID-19 and the New Normal

While continuing to advocate caution in 2021, business schools have innovatively offered a model that provides full-time students with an immersive experience while staying true to their pedagogy.

"We're in a murky time with the pandemic," wrote Harvard Business School (HBS)'s Executive Dean Angela Crispi and Dean Srikant Datar in a February 2021 update to the HBS community. As business schools work within national and international restrictions and prioritise their community's safety, hybrid models for classes have become the norm, though they remain largely virtual at the moment. The ratio of in-person to remote instruction varies widely from institution to institution. As of this writing, here's the current status:

Do Virtual or Hybrid Models Impact Teaching Methods?

The pandemic has pushed business schools to add value in new ways. Leveraging technology to deliver experiences beyond classroom broadcasts has meant that students have access to influential alumni and faculty through virtual professional development sessions and lecture series on an unprecedented scale.

At HBS, for example, officials were committed to preserving the classroom environment and its legendary case study method even as COVID-19 restrictions prevented students from congregating in a classroom setting. They created a Virtual Teaching Task Force-a committee of officials that worked on transitioning the classroom environment online and ensured seamless functioning.

Similarly, the iconic Interpersonal Dynamics course, famously dubbed ‘Touchy Feely,' at Stanford Graduate School of Business (Stanford GSB) planned to have class lectures and activities online, while smaller eight-person groups would meet in person.

Finally, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) has also launched ‘Remote Together', an initiative that seeks to connect first- and second-year MBA students in whatever city they happen to be, prep for interviews and socialise in ‘pods' that are connected to local alumni.

As business schools focus on restoring a sense of normalcy, their primary priority remains ensuring the safety of their community in an ever-changing reality. On IE Business School's Madrid campus, thermal imaging cameras that check student's body temperature and robots that use UV rays to disinfect classrooms became routine. Stanford GSB established temporary campus zones with restricted access subject to strict reviews. HBS' task force also monitors classroom environments and health protocols with proper sanitisation measures in place.

Wharton's full-time MBA classes have been underway since January 20, 2021, operating under what the school refers to as Alert Level 2, which includes some in-person teaching. Wharton Dean Erika James told students in a message on January 15, 2021, "Wharton is able to conduct our various hybrid scenarios," including practising physical distancing, wearing masks and contact tracing using the PennOpen Pass. Wharton's alert levels are determined by daily review of data.

It is also interesting to see student clubs and corporate outreach programmes adapt to virtual formats. For example, Cornell University hosted a Virtual ClubFest in February on their CampusGroups platform where students could interact with over 900 student groups. Club activities, recruitment treks, events and even club elections are now hosted through students' official Zoom accounts. Companies were invited to meet HEC Paris' students via virtual study trips and company presentations. This new alternative, along with virtual career fairs, enabled students to meet more companies than they previously could on campus.

What Are the Pros and Cons of a Virtual MBA?

What Are the Implications for Students?

There is growing appreciation for the proactive way in which business schools have worked to deal with uncertainty and resolve logistical issues. Universities have displayed a consistent commitment to work towards opening up campuses while ensuring the safety of faculty, staff and students.

The COVID-19 pandemic has levelled the playing field for today's business school applicants. Dealing with unconventional learning experiences and economic uncertainties will build students' resilience. Students have also become proactive and innovative to ensure that they take advantage of the online scenario and continue to network and conduct club activities online, wherever possible. These qualities can enable fresh business school graduates to stand out to prospective employers.

Students planning to join the workforce in a couple of years will likely face a very different world-one not defined by geographical parameters, 9-5 office hours or even in-person interactions. These graduates will benefit from the experience of virtual or hybrid programmes that will teach them to be flexible and enterprising, giving them access to their dream jobs. MBA degrees from global programmes will therefore continue to hold their value.

Author Bio:

Written by Namita Mehta, who has been in the college counselling space for more than eleven years. She established the University Guidance Counselling Department at B.D.Somani International School in Mumbai before joining The Red Pen where she currently serves as President.