What Is an Executive MBA?
If career advancement is one of your long-term goals, there’s a good chance that earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is also on your list. The MBA is a benchmark for business professionals, and it signals you’re serious about building the high-level skills effective managers need.
MBA programs can be found in university business departments across the world, and the specific program you choose depends on your interests and schedule, but an increasingly popular option for professionals in more senior positions is the executive MBA (EMBA.) The first executive MBA program launched at the University of Chicago in 1943 with an aim to strengthen American business in an uncertain world still in the midst of World War II. Unique for the time, the majority of the first 52-student cohort were in their 40s and 50s. They had decades of work experience but little formal business education. Meeting part time, two nights a week, students were able to learn together and make valuable connections while balancing careers in busy midcentury Chicago industry.
Today’s EMBA programs have the same basic mission: to provide high-level business education to experienced adult students seeking to enhance their leadership and management skills while continuing to contribute to their companies and communities.
EMBA vs. MBA
Whether you enroll in a traditional or executive program, the degree you’ll receive will still be a Master of Business Administration. One way of learning is not “better” than the other. The real difference between the programs is the curriculum focus and student experience.
Traditional MBAs are often designed for professionals with a shorter work history to grow or change their careers. Courses have an emphasis on practical skills in marketing, finance, and resource management. Executive MBAs are geared toward those already in management positions aiming for higher levels of leadership. Excelsior University’s program features coursework focusing on strategy, sustainability, and change management. EMBA programs are typically run on a condensed schedule to accommodate working professionals, with classes typically held on weekends, on evenings, or in a hybrid format (online and in person).
What Is the EMBA Program at Excelsior University Like?
If you’re considering an EMBA, it’s essential to research different programs, compare their curricula and faculty, and determine which one best aligns with your aspirations. Excelsior University’s Executive MBA program has been designed so working adults can forge new paths in their careers and grow their networking potential, all while working full time.
Intensive 12-Month Program
Because executives don’t have time to waste, Excelsior’s program is an intense but effective 12 months with a curriculum that includes courses like Strategy and Entrepreneurial Innovation, Strategic Brand Marketing, Systems and Sustainability, and Resilient Leadership and Organizational Behavior.
Designed for Experienced Professionals
Excelsior’s Executive MBA program advances past business basics. The curriculum is ideal for seasoned professionals who are prepared for immersive experiences that challenge and strengthen their management style and strategic thinking skills.
Combination of Online Learning and In-Person Residencies
Unlike Excelsior’s online MBA program, the hybrid format of Excelsior’s EMBA balances the convenience of interactive online courses with in-person residencies. In each of three major U.S cities, you’ll have the chance to tackle hands-on projects with industry partners, as well as with your fellow cohort students, that hone your talents in strategy, innovation, sustainability, and more.
How to Get Started
If you thrive on challenge, connection, and personal growth, then you’ve reached the level in your career where you’re ready to invest in your leadership skills with an EMBA. Excelsior University’s impactful hybrid program could be right for you, and our team makes it easy to get started in our next program cohort. Read more about the program details and how to apply today.
