The Executive MBA

What is an Executive MBA programme?
An Executive MBA programme provides an opportunity for experiences professionals to obtain a master’s degree in Business Administration on a schedule that minimises disruption of work and personal pursuits. Such programmes include a cohort class structure that offers a lockstep, planned curriculum in an executive setting. In other words, members of each class begin the programme at the same point, move through the curriculum together, and typically complete the degree requirements for graduation as a group. Executive MBA (EMBA) students are required to complete their degrees in two years or less. During that period, they gain a wide range of new skills and sharpen their analytical abilities by combining coursework with day-to-day professional experience.
A unique aspect of an EMBA programme is the collective professional experience of its participants, which greatly enriches the educational environment. A team approach is often used to allow for the sharing of diverse perspectives on various topics; this interaction results in a challenging, stimulating learning experience that provides for maximum return on time and resources invested. EMBA students possess several years of significant, post-baccalaureate career experience. Most students are sponsored both financially and through release time by their employing organisations, and all continue to work full-time while enrolled in the programme. To ensure optimum benefits to participants and the sponsoring organisations, class size and class structure facilitate close interaction between faculty and participants.
Can I afford Executive MBA Programme?
Obtaining an MBA degree is an investment – an investment in learning and in a person’s career and future. The high quality of faculty, facilities and support staff required to provide a successful EMBA programme dictates that such programmes include an investment by the participant’s sponsoring organisation. Programme costs are modest in comparison to the benefits yielded. In the majority of cases, students are sponsored fully, or in part, by their employers. Employers understand the competitive advantage they gain from having an employee whose management skills have been brought to the highest possible level. Students who are not sponsored by their companies often qualify for loans, scholarships, and/or other financial aid.
How could an executive MBA degree impact my career?
An MBA degree reflects a sophisticated level of knowledge and skills concerning a wide range of contemporary management topics. It also implies a well-developed understanding of strategic thinking and planning in a globally competitive world. Professionally, an MBA provides the skills needed to gain additional management responsibility. For the entrepreneur, the knowledge gained in earning an MBA can make the difference between success and failure in highly competitive environment.
What is different about an executive MBA programme curriculum?
Courses offered in an EMBA programme are normally the same as those taught in traditional MBA programs – accounting, finance, statistics, management, marketing and information systems. However, EMBA courses are enhanced by the extensive professional experience of the participants and are uniquely structured to teach a maximum amount of course material in an accelerated timetable. In addition, senior faculty experienced in teaching and consulting are employed as principal instructors. Once all coursework is satisfactorily completed, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree or equivalent is awarded.
Who participates in executive MBA programmes?
A diverse group of professionals enter and complete EMBA programmes. What they share is a sincere desire to grow professionally by obtaining an MBA degree, and a willingness and ability to meet program time and course requirements. A number of factors are considered in selecting candidates for an EMBA programme. In most cases, each applicant is evaluated on his or her own professional performance, academic records, GMAT scores, professional recommendations, and a demonstrated ability to accomplish graduate-level business coursework. Most EMBA students enter a programme with ten or more years of professional and/or managerial experience. An undergraduate degree is generally required, though it need not be a degree in business. Evaluation of students for admission to an EMBA programme is a very individualised process. While test scores, grade point averages and other objective criteria are all considered, a prospective student’s background, work experience, career goals, desire to succeed and numerous other factors are considered in making an admission decision.
What type of time commitment is involved?
EMBA students find themselves exhilarated to be back in the classroom among their professional and intellectual peers, where they can share the challenge of learning new methods and means for managing the business of doing business. Success in professional life demands a substantial and regular time commitment, and it is no different in an EMBA programme. Over the course of the programme, at least 15-20 hours each week should be allotted for some combination of classroom work, computer and research efforts, and course assignments. Added to the already heavy demands of a business career, the time involved in pursuing an MBA is considerable and requires a high level of motivation and commitment. The burden is eased by the support of other students and by the assistance of the EMBA programme staff.