Executive MBA Programs

Chicago-Booth EMBA is highly unlikely/won’t to admit one with just 2, 3, or 4 years of post undergraduate degree work experience. Chicago-Booth is fairly lenient, but they expect a minimum of 5 years of post u/g w/e at time of application. No requirement to be in a senior leadership position.

Typically, for one with less than 8 years of post u/g w/e, elite EMBA programs like Booth will refer the applicant to the traditional MBA program.

MIT-Sloan EMBA requires at least 10 years post u/g w/e (among other requirements regarding positions held).

UCal-Berkeley Haas states that the average EMBA students in its program has 10 years to 23 years post u/g w/e.

Northwestern-Kellogg will go as low as 8 years of work experience for one otherwise qualified.

U Penn-Wharton is at 8 years, but has a special application for those with at least 5 years post u/g w/e.

Duke-Fuqua EMBA is lenient requiring just 5 years of post u/g w/e, but does NOT require one to be currently employed. (Duke’s regular full-time MBA program averages just 6 years of post u/g w/e.) However, Duke’s MBA programs are not in the same league as are MIT, Berkeley, Wharton, Kellogg, and Booth.

U Michigan-Ross current cohort stats:

Average age = 39 years old;

Average post u/g w/e = 14 years;

Average management experience = 8 years;

Average salary upon entering the EMBA programs = $250,000;

38% of the EMBA class have earned advanced degrees prior to entering the EMBA program.

UC-Irvine EMBA requires 8 years of post u/g w/e with at least 5 years of management experience.

UC-Irvine current cohort stats:

Average age = 43 years;

Average post u/g w/e = 18 years;

Avg. years of management experience = 12 years mgmt. experience;

28% have advanced degrees;

34% are Directors/director level’

24% = manager;

20% are VPs;

13% = C-Suite;

7% Healthcare;

2% Clinician.

Yeah, that’s my point - there’s a lot of leniency - even in stats, you might have a 55 year old and 31 year old - two levels of work experience….someone earning $100K and $600K.

I have no doubt they’re loaded with high powered but I also believe there are regular folks, on a nice path, but nothing with high level or quick advancement, that join too.

Like all, I’m guessing they build a class.

I imagine students would look at the options (especially part-time and EMBA) and apply for the ones best for them. I’m always surprised when I hear those who join the EMBA - because at least from my professional life, these are people never on track for exec roles) but they’re all solid and bright citizens.

I think you brought this topic up though - for those high and fast performers and obviously they’re there too.

I’d love to be at a company that sponsors people…or would love that for my children. Unfortunately, we’re all just worker bes - so simply qualify for tuition reimbursement (which is very limited - I don’t think companies raised the level of reimbursement to keep up with the fast advancing cost of these programs). When I got my MBA 25+ years ago, I was flown into UIUC (like a job would fly you in) and I chose a school that paid my tuition and gave me a stipend. Different world today….these are moneymakers - hence they have even more programs than an MBA, part time, Exec…..these have become big business.

Totally different student profiles for these two programs. It seems as though you may be conflating “executive education programs” with EMBA programs. Almost anyone can enroll in an “executive education program” whereas the best EMBA programs require a proven track record of success, significant work and management experience, a substantial time commitment, cost about $200,000, and a letter of employer support/understanding/acceptance of the time commitment.

Executive education can be as short as a half day seminar, while EMBA programs are usually 20 to 22 consecutive months long and require substantial team project homework.

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One of the less stringent EMBA programs regarding admissions, Georgetown McDonough, expects at least 8 years of post u/g w/e and 5 years of management experience. Average age is 40; average years of post u/g w/e is 16 years; 53% have advanced degrees beyond a BA/BS; average pre=EMBA salary is low at about $150,000, but many are government workers which tends to pay less than the private sector.

Programs in the DMV area (Georgetown, U Virginia, & Duke) seem to be less stringent regarding admissions than the top programs. Georgetown gets great students from a professional perspective, U Virginia does about average, and Duke seems lenient and less selective.

All selective EMBA programs target seasoned managers while MBA programs target those early in their careers. Another significant difference is that MBA programs facilitate career/industry changes for students whereas EMBA programs focus on strategic improvements for the student’s current work situation/employer.

I’m not conflating - I brought up Exec Ed before - the execs I’ve been around - that’s what they’ve done - mainly a Vandy will tailor a program. I think I’ve seen with UTK too - tailoring.

I’m saying the people - low level managers or high level individual contributors (think $80K - 125K a year) types in the past - maybe today $125 to $175K - great performers but not on any fast path - that’s who’s been joining the EMBAs - again, I can think of Vandy, UNC, and Ross.

The person at Ross did end up leaving - but that’s because one of his classmates at a start up vehicle company recruited him.

The other at KF is now a Senior Manager at another company and the Vandy person still a high level individual performer at the company from 1 0 years ago.

All companies are different - so my industry (which has a lot of foreign owners) may translate differently.

But I’m not conflating anything - I’m saying that in my experience - not the overall - but from what I’ve seen and that’s only a handful, it’s anyone but execs enrolling in EMBA programs.

And when you read what qualifies - the schools aren’t disputing any of it - they’re using very generic statements on experience in years or age - but not titles and responsibilities.

I went on linkedin last night - and you’ll find both (high level and non hight) at the top schools. I posted one profile above. Looking back at your first post, I think that provides some info.

Is an EMBA from a top school a panacea to the top …maybe in some industries but I don’t think all…even if from a top school. If they only enrolled from industries where it would matter more, they couldn’t build a diverse class with a variety of experiences. And i’m sure like even a regular MBA, a lot of the content (case studies) would be on assignments that many will never have responsibility for in the real world. Not all the students…but some.

I was simply saying the word “executive” may be an exaggeration.

It’s like - when you see an obituary for someone - a low level manager or individual at a company like Microsoft - but in the obituary they’ll call him an executive at Microsoft….same type of thing - is all I’m saying. I’m sure they have execs too - I just don’t think it’s as black and white as you are saying in regards to who they are admitting.

Moving on…..

This is the exact point of an EMBA– to learn functional and strategic skills for problems you have not seen in your career- and may never see in your career. But the experience is still valuable.

Carry on with your debate. But just needed to point out what should be obvious but apparently is not. If folks were getting a degree in something they already knew how to handle, boy, what a waste of resources!

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I’m not debating - I’m simply pointing out that the programs are likely more inclusive than the word “executive” - nothing else.

Agree 100%.

Lots of discussion in EMBA programs does focus on current issues being dealt with by the participants. The point of the discussions to learn from others’ experiences and different perspectives.

The other poster is focused on the word “executive” rather than on the differences of the various MBA programs.

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This happened when I was in a top MBA program as well decades ago. Same firm also violated the policy of asking about grades. Just a firm reminder.

It wasn’t about pleasing this employer, which happened to be a popular choice for students. Nobody wanted them kicked off campus – they just wanted them to play by the rules.

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