What is an Executive MBA (EMBA) program?
Executive MBA programs are inclined to focus less on business basics and more on the nuances of business. A normal MBA can educate someone to enter a management career, whereas an EMBA is intended to teach a current leader how to be more successful as a manager. For the most part, the core curriculum is the same. For example, accounting, finance and all the things that are part of a traditional MBA. However, the biggest distinction between the two programs is the comprehensiveness and atmosphere of the potential classroom discussions. EMBA applicants are in the middle of their careers and the average age is around 38 years old. The goal of an EMBA is to equip someone with knowledge that they could double up into greater responsibility and ultimately, a bigger paycheck.
Who is eligible to apply?
An EMBA is a rigorous, specialized training program that can be completed part-time (sometimes in as little as 16 months). The average EMBA applicant is around 38 years old and has about 14 years of work experience. This would include approximately nine years of management experience. Executive students still have significant work obligations while they are obtaining their MBA degree. This is the reason why most EMBA programs are designed the way they are. Most EMBA programs have classes falling on the weekends and/or weeknights. The structure varies between the programs, but it is typically 20 months long. Classes are also conducted in a more condensed manner. For example, EMBA students will only spend a few days in a month on campus. Either all day Friday one week and Saturday the next, or a few days at a time once a month.
Why should you consider an Executive MBA (EMBA)?
Many business school applicants are hesitant to take time away from work and family to pursue a full-time MBA. Therefore, time is just one reason why an EMBA is attractive for many professionals. Other reasons include, earning a degree that adds value to your resume, company, and salary without you having to take a break from your career. You can position yourself for a big career change (be that in industry, function, or location). Enriching your professional network with diverse, fascinating, and successful people is another reason to pursue an EMBA. And lastly, refreshing your knowledge, hone your expertise, and deepen your understanding of what makes businesses successful.
What schools offer the best Executive MBA (EMBA)?
Wharton, Kellogg, MIT Sloan, Michigan Ross, NYU Stern, Duke Fuqua, Yale SOM, Columbia Business School, Chicago Booth, Berkeley Haas, UCLA Anderson are just a few top schools that offer the EMBA program. However, three of the top business schools in the world don’t offer the EMBA program namely, Harvard, Stanford, and Tuck.