An Executive MBA, or EMBA, is a type of MBA program that is designed for working executives who already have significant career experience. The defining characteristics of an EMBA program are that it:
- Offers a part time schedule, so that students can continue working while they are studying. Usually this means a weekend, block, or evening format; and
- Offers a curriculum that focuses on the needs of executives who are more advanced in their careers than the typical full-time MBA student. Usually this means the program has more of strategic, general management focus.
EMBA vs MBA Programs
Executive MBA programs are very similar to full-time MBA programs. Both confer the same degree: a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). Both require similar coursework, including classes in strategy, finance, accounting, management, operations, etc. At most schools, both share the same professors, and require a similar number of classroom hours.
However, there are some important differences between an EMBA and a full-time MBA. First, Executive MBA programs are part-time programs designed to allow executives to continue working while they are studying. Financially, this means that EMBA students can continue earning an income while they study – which is often a significant factor to older, more experienced executives who have higher incomes and often have families to support. Learning while working is an integral part of many EMBA classes, allowing students to apply their lessons in the real world and to bring real world issues into classroom discussions. By contrast, full-time MBA programs offer an immersive experience with a complete focus on academic coursework. There are pro’s and cons to both formats; the decision on which is better depends on the individual.
Another difference between EMBA and full-time MBA programs is the age and experience of the students. In most EMBA programs, students have a minimum of 7 years experience; in some top tier programs, the average experience is 15 years. By contrast, most full-time MBA students are relatively recent college graduates with 2 to 5 years working experience. Because the students are more experienced, most EMBA programs assume a basic level of competence and thus focus on more strategic, general management issues than do full-time MBAs. The more experienced students also change the character of the class; learning from one’s peers is far more important in an EMBA setting. This means that the curriculum, class format, and class experience is different.
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EMBA Students
Executive MBA students are generally much further along in their careers than are typical MBA students. Wheres typical MBA students have 2 to 5 years experience, EMBA students generally have at least 7 years experience, and at some schools the average is 15 years experience.
While the EMBA is a business degree, the program focuses on leadership, strategy, analytical frameworks – in short, the type of skills you need to manage any type of organization. Thus, while the majority of the students are from the business world, EMBA students also come from many other types of organizations including government agencies, international agencies, the armed services, the nonprofit sector and organizations.
This broader experience gives EMBA students a different perspective, a different character, and different needs. As a result, EMBA curricula are designed to provide a more general management / strategic education since most students already know the basics. The broader experience also makes EMBA students a valuable educational resource in their own right; many students comment that they learn more from their peers than from the professors.
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Value of an EMBA Program
EMBA programs are significantly more expensive than their full-time counterparts. The most expensive Executive MBA programs can cost more than $160,000 including all expenses. This raises the question: are EMBA programs worth the cost?
Clearly, the answer depends on the student and the specific program.
EMBA Curriculum
EMBA programs cover the same core skills and subject areas as do typical MBA programs. Nearly all EMBA programs include a core curriculum of Leadership, Finance, Accounting, Strategy, Marketing, Operations, and International Business. While the classes are similar, the focus of the classes tends to be more advanced, reflecting the experience of the students. EMBA programs do not offer as much choice in electives as do full time programs, due to the smaller class size and the difficulty of scheduling around a part-time schedule.
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EMBA Program Rankings