Challenging, immediately relevant curriculum
The Executive MBA Program's demanding 21-month curriculum emphasizes leadership development and strategic thinking as well as the application of decision-making tools. 

Integrated Curriculum
Current business trends, including technology and globalization, are integrated throughout the
entire curriculum and within individual courses.

•    First year courses: Focus on accounting, economics, finance, statistics, team building,
and leadership
•    Second year courses:  Explore the connections between operations and strategy,
including discussions about marketing, integrative management and entrepreneurship.

Residence Sessions
Executive MBA students kick-off the academic year each fall at a week-long, off-site academic intensive session.

Conducted at Northwest resorts, the week-long learning sessions:

•    Provide an opportunity to become immersed in academic classes
•    Feature high profile guest speakers, classes with Foster School professors, and  team building activities
•    Allow classmates to become better acquainted

The costs for Residence Sessions are included in program fees (except for travel expenses). 

Diverse teaching approaches
Executive MBA students experience a variety of teaching styles that create a challenging and dynamic learning environment. With opportunities for both individual learning and group involvement, students come away with a rich and valuable experience: 

•    Classes combine thought-provoking lectures with lively discussions
•    One-on-one interaction with world class faculty
•    Supportive, motivating study groups
•    Case studies link theory with real-time challenges and current business practices
•    Students use their own organizations as laboratories and bring the results to class for further discussion and analysis, a valuable return on investment for sponsoring companies.

Business Competition
The Executive MBA Business Plan Competition, fashioned after the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship competition, is the capstone experience for our second-year EMBA students. The competition is designed to promote student ideas and venture creation by providing a forum in which students can present new business concepts to local venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and investors. Within their Study Groups, EMBA students create an original business plan and compete in a one-day competition just prior to graduation.

In preparation for the competition, guest speakers including venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and program alumni meet with students to guide them through effective competition planning strategies. Topics include executive summary development, management team skill, market opportunity, competitive strategy, go to market strategy, traction, and the financials. Past winning plans have gone on to launch new small businesses.

Focus on Leadership
Gain the confidence and skills to successfully develop and manage the responsibilities of leadership. The Program's collaborative format, which requires you to create and deliver group presentations, also strengthens leadership skills.

•    Understand what motivates employees
•    Learn how to sell an initiative to the board of directors and management teams
•    Achieve results without damaging relationships
•    Create a framework for making ethical decisions in fiercely competitive environments
•    Add new win-win techniques to your negotiation toolkit

Personalized Leadership Assessments
Assess your leadership strength, address limitations and focus on your goals with the Program’s comprehensive, independent performance review.

•    Offered as part of a class at the beginning of the second year
•    Includes  private sessions with an executive coach