Online Executive MBA

<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/online-executive-mba/">Executive MBA</a>

College Name & Address	Tuition	Graduation Rate
#1 James Madison University 800 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807	$10,848	84%
#2 Florida State University 222 S. Copeland Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32306	$9,684	83%
#3 Auburn University Auburn, Alabama 36849	$10,080	79%
#4 University of North Carolina 601 South College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403	$4,719	72%
#5 The University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080	$14,560	70%
#6 Ball State University 2000 University Ave, Muncie, Indiana 47306	$9,328	67%
#7 University of Arkansas Administration Bldg 425, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701	$7,752	66%
#8 Ohio University 020 Chubb Hall, Athens, Ohio 45701	$9,444	65%
#9 Kansas State University 919 Mid-Campus Drive, Anderson Hall, Manhattan, Kansas 66506	$10,212	65%
#10 University of Nevada-Reno North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89557	$5,657	61%
#11 Central Michigan University 106 Warriner Hall, Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859	$14,223	61%
#12 University of Hawaii at Manoa 2500 Campus Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822	$15,600	61%
#13 St. Joseph’s College 245 Clinton Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11205	$19,350	62%
#14 Howard University 2400 Sixth St NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20059	$32,248	65%
#15 Rochester Institute of Technology 1 Lomb Memorial Dr, Rochester, New York 14623	$50,136	67%
#16 University of Wyoming Corner of Ninth and Ivinson, Laramie, Wyoming 82071	$5,076	60%
#17 Louisiana Tech University 1310 West Railroad Avenue, Ruston, Louisiana 71272	$5,416	60%
#18 Washington State University French Administration Building, Pullman, Washington 99164	$11,781	60%
#19 California State University 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, California 92407	$7,176	55%
#20 Boise State University 1910 University Dr, Boise, Idaho 83725	$7,110	51%
#21 University of North Alabama One Harrison Plaza, Florence, Alabama 35632	$6,660	49%
#22 Friends University 2100 W. University Ave., Wichita, Kansas 67213	$11,448	48%
#23 Faulkner University 5345 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, Alabama 36109	$10,350	33%
#24 Bethel University 325 Cherry Ave, McKenzie, Tennessee 38201	$11,382	32%
#25 Texas Southern University 3100 Cleburne St, Houston, Texas 77004	$4,767	23%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/online-executive-mba/">Executive MBA</a>

College Name & Address	Tuition	Graduation Rate
#1 University of the Cumberlands 6191 College Station Drive, Williamsburg, Kentucky 40769	$4,282	44%
#2 University of North Carolina 601 South College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403	$4,719	72%
#3 Texas Southern University 3100 Cleburne St, Houston, Texas 77004	$4,767	23%
#4 University of Wyoming Corner of Ninth and Ivinson, Laramie, Wyoming 82071	$5,076	60%
#5 Prairie View A & M University FM 1098 Road & University Drive, Prairie View, Texas 77446	$5,096	36%
#6 Louisiana Tech University 1310 West Railroad Avenue, Ruston, Louisiana 71272	$5,416	60%
#7 Florida Atlantic University 777 Glades Rd, Administration Bldg., Room 339, Boca Raton, Florida 33431	$5,467	50%
#8 University of Nevada, Reno North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89557	$5,657	61%
#9 The University of Texas at El Paso 500 W. University Ave, El Paso, Texas 79968	$5,682	37%
#10 Sam Houston State University 1806 Ave J, Huntsville, Texas 77340	$5,765	54%
#11 University of New Orleans 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana 70148	$6,090	42%
#12 University of North Alabama One Harrison Plaza, Florence, Alabama 35632	$6,660	49%
#13 Southeastern Louisiana University 548 Ned McGehee Ave., Hammond, Louisiana 70402	$6,684	39%
#14 University of Oklahoma 660 Parrington Oval, Norman, Oklahoma 73019	$6,943	70%
#15 University of Central Oklahoma 100 N University Dr, Edmond, Oklahoma 73034	$7,000	36%
#16 Boise State University 1910 University Dr, Boise, Idaho 83725	$7,110	51%
#17 University of Arkansas Administration Bldg 425, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701	$7,752	66%
#18 Purdue University Hovde Hall of Administration, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907	$9,208	82%
#19 Ohio University 020 Chubb Hall, Athens, Ohio 45701	$9,444	65%
#20 University of Missouri 105 Jesse Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211	$9,478	71%
#21 Florida State University 222 S. Copeland Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32306	$9,684	83%
#22 Kansas State University 919 Mid-Campus Drive, Anderson Hall, Manhattan, Kansas 66506	$10,212	65%
#23 University of Colorado 1380 Lawrence Street, Lawrence Street Center, Suite 1400, Denver, Colorado 80217	$14,322	64%
#24 The University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080	$14,560	70%
#25 University of Hawaii at Manoa 2500 Campus Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822	$15,600	61%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

While the traditional MBA program is built on the fundamentals of business, the Executive MBA, on the other hand, provides students of the program with a better understanding of the many nuances of business. This program focuses on tools, technologies, methodologies, research, and data, to help graduates make informed and strategic business decisions, improving profitability. This can be achieved by leveraging and building on the work experience Executive MBA students would already have at the start of their program (Executive MBA students are expected to have considerable prior work experience).

With fewer electives to choose from, the Executive MBA differs slightly from the traditional MBA, which offers many electives and combinations of coursework. An Executive MBA also makes it possible for students to align their personal, educational, and professional experience with their career objectives and goals. The program’s main aim is to develop student’s analytical, critical, and problem-solving skills and prepare them for changes, disruptions, competition, challenges, and issues in the business world. With this degree, experienced professionals can take on greater responsibility, improve their career prospects, take on new leadership roles, or earn higher salaries.

Executive MBA Degree Formats

The format of online Executive MBA programs differs according to college and the type of program. Business schools put together EMBA programs that aim to suit working professionals who may already be pressed for time, have work-related stress, and families to attend to. Students can choose between full-time Executive MBA vs. part-time Execute MBA programs, which can take anywhere from 18 to 60 months to complete, depending on the format. And while some Universities deliver their courses entirely online, others take a hybrid route and require students to meet on-campus at least once or twice a week. A few also expect students to attend a two-week on-campus practicum towards the end of their program.

Another common format some colleges follow is the cohort-based Executive MBA program – in which all students begin the program at the same time, attend the same classes, and go through the entire program with the same group of people right up to graduation.

Weekly synchronous sessions with high-quality video and audio for optimal interaction, recorded sessions for subsequent viewing, delivery of courses entirely through online sessions, and weekly or periodic on-campus meetings are various formats of delivery of an Executive MBA.

Courses in the EMBA program are evenly distributed across semesters and sequenced to assure continuity in learning through synchronous, asynchronous, or hybrid delivery systems.

Executive MBA vs MBA

A lot of people get confused and battle the dilemma of Executive MBA vs. MBA. In general, a traditional MBA benefits younger, less-experienced students by allowing them to complete their studies over a longer period and seek jobs in the business world. Executive MBA programs are designed for professionals in their mid-career who need to complete their education in a shorter time and advance their careers. So, what are the other differences between MBA and Executive MBA? Here is a snapshot of both programs to compare:

Traditional or Professional MBA (PMBA)	Executive MBA (EMBA)
Targets younger students who may have little to no work experience	Targets working professionals who already have considerable work experience (5 to 10 years)
Typically requires about 24 months to complete (full-time) and up to a maximum of 60 months (part-time)	Typically requires 18 to 24 months to complete
Offers more courses and electives	Offers few courses and even fewer electives
Offers more options for specializations	Offers few options for specializations
May follow a traditional semester system/calendar	May follow different delivery formats
Almost always requires GMAT or GRE scores for admission	Sometimes requires GMAT or GRE scores for admission

Now, to address the question – EMBA vs. MBA, which is better? – it all depends on an individual’s personal and professional goals. Those who are yet to pitch themselves on an upward career trajectory and/or may have just a couple of years of work experience can consider the professional MBA program. On the other hand, those who have 5 to 10 years of experience and wish to enhance their knowledge, hone their skills, advance their careers, seek promotions with their organization, or look for better paychecks, are prime candidates for an Executive MBA. Another point to note is that an MBA teaches the fundamentals of several aspects of a business. At the same time, an EMBA builds on them by combining advanced coursework and the student’s professional experience.

In conclusion, one is not better than the other; they serve two different objectives.

Specializations in Executive MBA Programs

Business school students who pursue an MBA concentration usually pursue more specialized career paths after graduation. For some concentrations, salary and opportunities increase significantly, depending on the industry. Specializations also convey to and assure employers that the candidate has in-depth knowledge and unique skills related to the subject. Here are a few specializations/concentrations that online Executive MBA applicants can consider:

• Executive MBA Healthcare Online
• Executive MBA in Finance
• Executive MBA for Engineers
• Executive MBA in Accounting
• Executive MBA in Human Resources Online
• Information Systems Executive MBA
• Executive MBA in Marketing
• Executive MBA in International Business Online
• Executive MBA in Supply Chain Management
• Business Analytics Executive MBA
• Executive MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Online
• Retail Industry Executive MBA
• Executive MBA in Innovation Management
• Executive MBA in Information Technology

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Online Executive MBA Programs

The EMBA syllabus is largely the same across concentrations and programs. The curricula of most programs overlap, and courses are often based on the basics of business and administration, such as marketing, finance, accounting, operations, human resources, etc. Some of the common courses students can expect in an online Executive MBA are:

• Administrative Control
• International Business Management
• Managerial Leadership and Productivity
• Professional Ethics and Practice in Business
• Strategy Formulation
• Organizational Design
• Business Foundations
• Exploring Regional Markets
• Entering New Markets
• Executing In Global Markets
• Corporate Global Strategy
• Financial Accounting & Analysis
• Leadership and Change Management
• Statistics for Business Decision Making
• Basic Accounting for Managerial and Financial Control
• Effective Negotiations
• Financial Management
• Management Communications
• Supply Chain Management
• Legal Environment of Business
• Managerial Accounting
• Managerial Economics
• Managerial Finance
• Business Analytics
• Finance and Economics
• Leadership and Teams
• Marketing Strategy and Planning
• Organizational Behavior
• Strategy and Innovation
• Business Economics for the World Market
• Managing Human Capital
• Data Analytics and Statistics for Business
• Digital Transformation with Information Systems and Technology
• Micro and Macro Economic Foundations for Managers
• Management Information Systems
• Integrative Analysis in Management
• Statistical Applications in Research and Management
• Accounting for Managerial Decisions
• Ethical and Societal Issues in Business
• Supply Chain Strategy and Practice
• Ethnographic Research Methods
• Globalization and the Arts
• Managing Communities of Work
• Operations Management
• Shared History of Slavery and Capitalism
• Analytical Tools for Strategic Decision-Making
• Career Planning and Development
• Strategic Marketing Analysis and Concepts
• Business Law and Negotiations
• Business Policy and Strategy
• Statistical Methods in Business and Economics

Working professionals with an Executive MBA will demonstrate the ability to manage and drive business functions at advanced or higher levels. Additionally, graduates of the program will:

• have a better understanding of the fundamentals of business policy, operations, finance, and administration;
• use data and integrate business information with business goals and strategies;
• understand organizational behavior and managerial responses to channel human resources effectively;
• solve problems and make decisions in a variety of business situations by understanding and applying critical and analytical thinking;
• effectively use managerial economics and financial management to strengthen margins and drive profitability;
• incorporate information systems for managerial decision-making as well as analytical tools and technology for organizational support;
• oversee business operations in a global environment, and can effectively manage supply chains;
• understand and factor ethical and social perspectives that could influence decision-making and business outcomes;
• effectively use marketing management in cross-functional and marketing-oriented businesses; and
• formulate policy and improve strategic development to help the organization meet its goals and objectives.

Accreditation for Online Executive MBA Programs

Accredited Executive MBA programs continuously meet certain established quality standards determined by accrediting bodies in academics, assessment, faculty qualifications, and student services. Accreditation is also an endorsement that an Executive MBA program imparts the required education and skills to prepare graduates for professional careers in the business world and trains them to tackle complex real-world problems in business. There are broadly two types of accreditations for Executive MBA – programmatic, in which a program is recognized and accredited, and regional, in which a college that is offering the Executive MBA program is accredited. Some such accrediting organizations are:

1. Programmatic:
   • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
   • International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
   • Association of MBAs (AMBA)
   • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
   • European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) – EQUIS Accreditation
2. Regional:
   • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
   • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
   • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
   • New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
   • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

The Accreditation Guide contains detailed information on the many advantages of accreditation and its importance.

Timeline for graduation from Online Executive MBA Programs

The Executive MBA time commitment depends solely on the structure and delivery of the program. Delivery can be in synchronous, asynchronous, or hybrid forms, bearing on the duration of a program. Commonly, online Executive MBA students will require 18 to 24 months to finish, with the option of completing the degree within a maximum of 5 years (which very few do).

Online Executive MBA Programs Admission Requirements

Executive MBA qualifications and eligibility criteria are unlike those of other Master’s programs. Many business schools will require students to have at least two years of professional experience, but some ask for 7 to 10 years, of which about 5 to 7 years should be in managerial or leadership roles. Some other schools may ask the applicant to show support from their employer, either financially, timewise, or both. In general, however, Executive MBA admission requirements are as follows:

• Application Form and Application Fee
• Official Academic Transcripts
• Professional Résumé
• Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement
• 2 to 3 Letters of Recommendation

Eligibility Criteria:

• An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or University.
• A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher is recommended but not required.

Important Points to Note:

(a) Some candidates may have to attend a Personal Interview.

(b) Executive MBA programs generally require applicants to submit standardized test scores of GMAT or GRE. However, some schools either completely waive this requirement or do so under certain conditions. For example, a school may waive the GMAT/GRE score requirement if the applicant has a prior Master’s Degree, a Professional Degree (JD, MD, DVM). Some schools also waive this requirement for students that have an active Professional License [Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), or Professional Engineer (PE)].

Increasingly, many students are on the lookout for ‘Executive MBA No Bachelors Required’ programs. Some business schools accept candidates who tend to have strong real-time work experience behind them but are looking to complement that with business theory. For such candidates, the admission requirements are largely the same as those for applicants with an undergraduate degree, with the difference of special attention given to their writing ability and synthesis. The EMBA program by the MIT Sloan School of Management, for example, does not require a Bachelor’s Degree if the applicant can “demonstrate exceptional capabilities through other endeavors”. Similarly, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, although it generally requires a Bachelor’ Degree, makes exceptions for applicants who display an impressive professional and/or personal track record. However, applicants without a Bachelor’s Degree must take the GMAT to be considered for admission in this case.

With MBA programs costing the proverbial arm and leg, free online Executive MBA programs are much sought after. Unfortunately, there aren’t any online portals and institutions that offer free MBA programs, except one – the University of the People. While the MBA program by this University provides students with the many advantages of a traditional (and paid) MBA program but without the cost, it may not be well recognized by the job market (accreditation could not be confirmed). A search online will bring up several free MBA courses, none of which will lead to credible EMBA degrees, but could nevertheless help interested MBA students and graduates. Some examples are:

1. EdX
   EdX has a collection of paid and free online executive education courses created by the Boston University, Wharton University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard University.
2. MOOCs
   Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a repository of free programs in various disciplines. In business education, MOOC offers MicroMasters Programs and Professional Certificates by leading Universities in the country.
3. Coursera
   Coursera lists a total of 93 MBA-related courses and specializations across four learner levels. Topics include International Business Essentials, Fundamentals of Finance, Value Creation Through Innovation, and others.

Free online MBA

1. University of the People
   Except for an application fee and an assessment fee for every end-of-course examination, the University of the People provides an online Master of Business Administration degree and does not charge students for their educational instruction, course materials, or annual enrollment. It is worth noting that this program is not an EMBA program but a traditional MBA and is perhaps the only such complete degree that is free and online.

The Executive MBA cost is considerably higher than that of other Master’s programs. In some cases, a program is known to cost an eye-watering $200,000 over two years! Generally, personal funds or income from a salary alone may be insufficient to pay for the Executive MBA fees, and this and the ever-rising cost of Master’s programs are why other funding mechanisms need to be explored, such as:

To know more about ways to fund an Executive MBA program, read the best Financial Guide.

Promotions, high-profile jobs, and fat paychecks are some of the many benefits of the Executive MBA program. There are many roles that graduates of an online Executive MBA can take up in several sectors, such as automobiles, food and beverage, information technology, biotechnology, aviation, commodity trading, insurance, social media, digital marketing, advertising, branding, and a whole lot more. Although job titles may vary by company and sector, here are some common ones EMBA graduates can step into:

• Chief Executive Offer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Chief Information Officer
• Financial Advisor
• Business Operations Manager
• Portfolio Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Business Analyst
• Marketing Analyst
• Management Consultant
• Director of Marketing
• Entrepreneur

At the start of a program, most incoming Executive MBA students may already be earning in six figures, but this can, in certain cases, potentially double after graduation.

The 2020 EMBAC Student Exit Survey, carried out by the Executive MBA Council (EMBAC), revealed that EMBA graduates received a 14.1% increase in compensation after program completion. The report also states that 39%of students who completed the survey received a promotion during the program, and 53% reported increased responsibilities. At the commencement of the EMBA program, the average salary and bonus package was $169,269, which rose to $193,200 by the end of it.

Elsewhere, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median pay in 2020 for top executives was $107,680, that of chief executives was $185,950, and of general and operations managers was $103,650. It is worth noting that salaries, titles, roles, and responsibilities are disproportionate across business sectors, the scope and scale of organizations, and the institute’s reputation from which one has graduated.

Certifications acknowledge and endorse the level and depth of a graduate’s knowledge and skills, adding value to a Professional Résumé. Adding extra credentials can prove to be beneficial in certain work settings and improve career prospects in general. Although there aren’t any specific certifications tailored for online Executive MBA graduates, the ones applicable to traditional MBA graduates will do just as well. Some such certifications for EMBA graduates to consider include:

1. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
2. CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
3. APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management), APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional), and APICS CLTD (Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution)
4. AIRS Certifications
5. Six Sigma
6. SAP Modules Certifications

Executive MBA graduates usually do not require any licensure. But in certain circumstances, jobs in accounting, for example, the certification, leads to automatic licensure (such as the CFA and CPA).

In the business world, networking holds the key to endless possibilities. By connecting and collaborating with peers, EMBA graduates can consolidate business knowledge, expand their network, and broaden their perspective, stretching well beyond their current industry. Tapping into networks and resources can also enhance one’s skill set to reach the next level of success in one’s career. Here are some ideal ways for online Executive MBA students and graduates to get started:

1. MBA Depot
   MBA Depot is an excellent resource that offers business insight for MBAs and Managers. The site hosts books, case studies, articles, and videos and has a community for learners and professionals.
2. Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
   The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is mainly an accrediting organization that connects educators, learners, and businesses to create the next generation of leaders. The organization also conducts events, conferences, webinars, and seminars and provides insights, data trends, and research reports in business and business education.
3. LinkedIn
   LinkedIn is to business, what Facebook is to people in general. LinkedIn is arguably the best place to connect with industry professionals, job-seekers, recruiters, and project partners. Members can manage their professional identity, engage with a growing network of peers, and easily access knowledge, insights, and opportunities.
4. Executive MBA Council (EMBAC)
   Like the AACSB, the Executive MBA Council (EMBAC) is also an accrediting organization, particularly for EMBA programs. The council periodically conducts market research and surveys, meetings, and webinars. With its presence in 35 countries and 300 members of EMBA programs, this site is a great way to stay up to date with the latest in the world of EMBA.
5. Association of MBAs (AMBA)
   The Association of MBAs (AMBA) is home to several resources for both students and graduates of EMBA. This site has much to offer, from a development network to a book club to commercial opportunities and insights.