Top Executive MBA Programs

EMBA programs- Executive MBAs- are specifically designed for senior applicants having longer work experience, say 9-10+ years, and are coming in vogue year on year. This is the best option for executives who want to do an MBA as a stepping stone towards becoming a key decision-maker in their company because it is relatively less time-consuming and gives the options of working part-time (you will get to know about this ahead in the article). Also, the ‘Executive’ for ‘E’ in no way restricts people not working in the upper echelons of management and include people having experience in middle-level management too, but, the experience should exhibit strong leadership with evidence of fast career progressions and the ability to set and achieve goals to make it to the top programs. Here, in this article, we’ll see the different Executive MBA programs with and without GMAT through which you may be able to choose the one suitable to your profile and career goals.

PART-TIME EXECUTIVE MBA PROGRAMS:

Part-time Executive MBA programs are one of the most flexible ways to make a strong network and step up the career ladder. There are top-notch part-time programs that are every bit similar to its full-time counterparts in terms of rigorousness, student-life, network, faculty and obviously attaching a reputed name with you. This program is best suited for professionals, with work experience of about 5-10 years, because it is difficult for them to leave their beloved jobs and enter into a full-time program of 2 years. Also, it is a viable choice in terms of ROI as the overall cost is lesser and it provides the opportunity of continuing with the job plus chances of getting financed by the employer itself. 

Top Business schools like Booth, Haas, Kellogg, NYU Stern, Ross provide such part-time MBA programs. You may have a detailed look here:

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (WHARTON)

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (BOOTH)

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (STERN)

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA–LOS ANGELES (ANDERSON)

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN–ANN ARBOR (ROSS)

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY (TEPPER)

NANYANG TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY, SINGAPORE

IMPERIAL COLLEGE BUSINESS SCHOOL

ROTMAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

Since the average GMAT scores are comparatively lower for these programs, one needs to exhibit very strong ‘mature’ leadership in his profile. While keeping this in mind, do a thorough research of the school you wish to apply and dig in deeper to find out how you as a person align with those values and how a school will help you achieve your goals before starting with your essays. 

FULL-TIME EXECUTIVE MBA PROGRAMS

With a duration of about one year, full-time EMBAs are designed to prepare an elite group of senior professionals who have around 10-18 years of work experience with about 5-10 years of managerial experience and wish to reach C-level posts. 

The difference between the EMBAs and part-time MBAs is while the former focuses on senior-level professionals with great managerial experiences and potential to reach C-suite levels within their organizations, the latter targets comparatively younger candidates with lesser experience and who are halfway up their career ladder. The choice of the right program and school depends on one’s experience, age, career goals, costs of the degree, and the respective schools’ requirements. 

Here are some full-time MBA programs:

STANFORD MSX

MIT SLOAN FELLOWS

USC IBEAR

GLOBAL EXECUTIVE MBA PROGRAMS:

These programs are designed especially for creating global leaders by providing a degree and international experience at the same time. Business schools having more than one campus or those having partner schools abroad give students the chance to explore multiple countries and continents. Also, these programs conduct global sessions periodically so that all the students in different areas of the world may connect, exchange ideas and build a robust global network. These, again, are for senior professionals with around 15 years of work experience.

Here is a list of some top-notch global EMBA programs:

DUKE FUQUA GLOBAL EMBA:

INSEAD GLOBAL EMBA

TRIUM GLOBAL EMBA

DARDEN GLOBAL EMBA

COLUMBIA EMBA-GLOBAL

UCLA-NUS GLOBAL EMBA

KIND OF PROFILE FOR EMBA GMAT WAIVERS:

Generally, aspirants targeting an executive MBA do not wish to attempt GMAT as it takes a lot of time and effort to prepare for the same. This is why Business schools give GMAT waivers to applicants on a case-to-case basis. Aspirants seeking a waiver need to demonstrate :

A highly quantitative background through C-level experiences in heavily quantitative roles, or Masters qualification and higher in a quantitative field, or through Professional Qualifications like CFA Level 2-3, ACCA.

A strong leadership and managerial experience, say, an experience of holding the position of Vice President or Senior VP in Business Services, technology sector with demonstrated experience in leading a function. 

These are some qualities to give you a glimpse of the kind of profile you need to exhibit for standing a chance of GMAT waivers. But even if you feel you are not able to present a profile like this, not to get disheartened. There are Executive Assessments that are specifically designed for EMBA aspirants to evaluate the business school readiness of working professionals. The assessment is easy to schedule, short in duration, and requires only modest preparation.