Why an EXECUTIVE MBA?

If you have about 8-10 years of work experience and doing well in your field and if you feel the need to upgrade or enhance your knowledge and employ-ability then Executive MBA could be a good option for you. An Executive MBA (EMBA) program is typically open only to applicants with at least eight years of professional experience. Executive MBA education meets the needs of the organization to build managerial talent in the most effective and efficient manner available today.

If the idea of getting into EMBA seems interesting to you then here’s what you need to know:

An Executive MBA (EMBA) program provides the experienced, working professional with the opportunity to earn a Master's degree in Business Administration without significant disruption to his or her current pursuits. While EMBA students complete their degrees within two years, same as their traditional two-year MBA counterparts, they do it on a different schedule. Part time programs, on the other hand, typically take three years to complete.

EMBA programs are structured around individual cohort classes that begin throughout the year. All members of a class begin the program at the same time, progress through the program in sync with each other, and graduate as a group. Because EMBA students are continuing to work while in the program, they have the unique opportunity to put the new skills they learn in the classroom to use immediately. This combination of coursework and day-to-day experience also exists in part time MBA programs, but EMBA programs have an added advantage—the collective professional experience of cohort members. While the EMBA curriculum is traditionally the same as the MBA curriculum, it is influenced and enriched by the breadth and depth of each class's professional knowledge.

EMBA programs generally run for two years. Between work and school obligations, EMBA programs are extremely time-consuming; prepare to forfeit nearly all free time if you pursue this option. Part-time programs generally require three to four years to complete, although students with undergraduate degrees in business can sometimes place out of a number of courses, thereby shortening the process.

Executive MBA programs attract a diverse group of professionals, but all share a desire to expand their knowledge and skills. Professional experience and performance, academic records, GMAT scores, and professional recommendations all play a part in the admission decision. Most students will have at least 10 years of professional experience under their belts by the time they enter a program, with a significant portion of this experience at the managerial level. On the other hand, two-year MBA students usually average three to five years of work experience.

While the structure of an EMBA program can vary from program to program, most are fairly similar, in that they are designed to accommodate to a full-time work schedule. For example, classes at some EMBA program meet one full day per week, alternating Fridays and Saturdays for the length of the program. Some meet on consecutive Fridays and Saturdays every other week. Some EMBA programs are divided into four terms, each of which begins with a week in residence at the concerned University. After that, students meet every other weekend for classes Saturday and Sunday. Some other programs offer weeknight options as well.

Generally the majority of EMBA program participants are sponsored, either fully or in part, by their employers. Recently, however, this has changed, as more students have been asked to foot a portion of the bill themselves. The number of students paying the full cost of their own tuition has also grown considerably.

Participants who are not sponsored by their employers usually qualify for loans, scholarships, and other types of financial aid. It is important to view the cost of any graduate program as an investment, with benefits reaped over the life of a professional career. In addition, because participants continue working during the program, the opportunity cost of attending an EMBA program is less than for a traditional two-year, full-time MBA program.

Some Universities offering EMBA are:

USA:
1. Columbia Business School
2. Cornell University
3. Northwestern University: Kellogg
4. Ohio University
5. UC Irvine
6. University of Pennsylvania: Wharton

UK:
1. City University: Cass
2. Henley Management College
3. Imperial College London: Tanaka
4. London Business School
5. University of Bath School of Management
6. Warwick Business School

Australia:
1. Australian Graduate School of Management
2. Bond University
3. Curtin University
4. Queensland University of Technology
5. University of Melbourne

Singapore:
1. National University of Singapore, Singapore

Pursing an EMBA gives you the unique opportunity to instantly implement the knowledge you gain as a student into your professional life. In fact, much of the coursework is designed around combining what you study with your day-to-day professional experiences.