ARTS & EDUCATION :: DECEMBER 2007/JANUARY 2008
The Art of Leadership: A Closer Look At Executive MBA Programs
What makes Executive MBA Programs distinctive?
Executive MBA Programs were developed to meet the educational needs of managers, executives, and other business leaders. They allow professionals to earn an MBA in two years or less while continuing to work full time. Students enter the program, complete classes, and graduate with the same group of students.
Who attends programs?
Participants come from all types of organizations – profit, non-profit, or government-related – and all sizes – from large to small and in-between. They represent nearly every industry, including banking, health care, manufacturing, and technology, to name only a few.
Most students enter programs with 10 or more years of professional or managerial experience. While each program sets its own admission requirements, most evaluate applicants on the following criteria:
- Professional performance
- Academic records
- Professional recommendations
- Demonstrated ability to accomplish graduate-level business course work
- Work experience
- Career goals
What course work does the curriculum include?
The curriculum typically covers functional areas of business and the integration of those functional areas. As a result, students gain an understanding of the enterprise as a whole, as well as the ways in which all parts of the business fit together.
Students often work in teams during the program, strengthening their network and broadening their problem solving skills. Students benefit from the extensive collective professional experience of other students in their class.
In general, experienced faculty members lead courses. Many serve as consultants to industry, and they often are recipients of teaching awards. Courses cover much of the same areas as in traditional MBA programs: accounting, finance, statistics, management, marketing, and information systems.
The Value
The Executive MBA experience often transforms the professional and personal lives of its graduates. Their experience can lead them to new challenges and prepare them for increased leadership responsibilities.
Practical knowledge that makes an immediate difference
As students move through the program, they gain a sophisticated level of knowledge and skills on diverse aspects of management, including strategic thinking and planning in a global competitive environment.
Students are often able to take what they learn in the classroom and immediately apply it on the job. Other practical benefits include:
- Improved critical thinking skills
- Tools to understand the theory behind the practice
- Increased confidence and motivation
- Ability to apply best practices
- Perspective of global business that expands the possibilities
- Knowledge of the business as a whole
- Long-lasting competitive edge
- Greater ability to lead a team and to work within a team
- Enhanced communication skills
Foundation for advancement
Organizations recognize the skills that students develop from the degree program, and many times they reward graduates of programs with greater levels of management responsibilities.
For the entrepreneur, knowledge from the program can help bolster business and support greater success in the marketplace.
Life-changing experience that broadens perspectives
Alumni report high levels of satisfaction with Executive MBA Programs. They also talk about the experience as exhilarating, heady, and intense – one that changes the way they think about leadership, global business, problem solving, and team building.
The broader perspective only helps them improve their effectiveness as managers and leaders. Programs give students the chance to meet other professionals from diverse business and to work side-by-side with them during the program.
The University of Delaware offers a 19 month Executive MBA Program conveniently located at the Pennsylvania Avenue Campus in Wilmington. Classes meet on Friday evenings & Saturdays over just five 9-week semesters. Now forming the next cohort to begin in late August. Contact Denise Waters, Director Recruitment & Admissions at 302-831-2221 or visit www.emba.udel.edu for more details.
1 This article based on "The Art of Leadership" by The Executive MBA Council and is presented by Executive MBA Council, in cooperation with the University of Delaware, Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics." The Executive MBA Council is a not-for-profit association of universities and colleges offering Executive MBA programs or programs that follow the executive format. Its mission is to foster excellence and innovation in Executive MBA Programs in a globally competitive environment.
