Executive Master in Business Administration, EMBA
Program Director: David Chandler
Email: david.chandler@ucdenver.edu
Assistant Director of Operations: Bethany Cape
Email: bethany.cape@ucdenver.edu
Introduction
Please click here to see more about the Executive MBA program.
The Executive MBA is designed for executives who want to sharpen their skills with no career disruption, leading to the Master of Business Administration degree. The program enables future leaders to tackle strategic challenges and impending issues facing the business world.
This 18-month program is designed for professionals who hold decision-making positions in private and public sector organizations. The program builds upon the knowledge and experience of these professionals with innovative curriculum delivered in a hybrid course structure.
The Executive MBA program emphasizes strategic analysis, critical thinking, digital technologies, and sustainable value creation, involving the latest in applied models of management. Courses are taught by world-class faculty and through a variety of methods and content including case studies, projects, lectures, and guest speakers from industry.
The Executive MBA program starts every August. The program is designed to accommodate demanding work schedules and make it possible for those who live outside the Denver area to participate in the program. Classes meet in person one weekend each term on a Friday and Saturday. Additional required course activities are delivered in synchronous and asynchronous online modalities.
Two courses are taken each eight-week term. Additionally, students travel abroad for an international business course.
Tuition
The tuition cost for the 18-month EMBA program is $77,500. Tuition is billed in eight equal installments as you go through the EMBA program. Tuition includes all course material required for each EMBA course. Tuition also includes travel, lodging and some meals during the International Business Experience trip.
A $1,500 non-refundable deposit is due upon acceptance into the program. This deposit will be applied to your first term’s tuition invoice.
Scholarships
The CU Denver Business School Executive MBA Program provides scholarships in varying amounts to prospective students working for the CU system or in the nonprofit sector.
Additional merit-based scholarships are available for exceptionally qualified students.
Employer support
The valuable skills you will gain in the program will immediately benefit your company, colleagues, and yourself as you apply your knowledge to business challenges. Many employers will invest in their employee’s business education and offer full or partial reimbursement. Contact your company’s human resources department to inquire about employer support.
Application process
We admit an Executive MBA cohort each August. Admissions are made on a rolling basis, meaning decisions are made as applications are completed. Applicants are required to submit all application materials (detailed below):
- There is no application fee.
- A personal interview is a part of the admission process.
- Due to the program’s competitive nature and rolling admissions policy, we strongly recommend submitting your application as soon as possible.
You can check your admission status online through the account you created for the online application. You will receive a final decision by email within two to three weeks from the submission of all materials.
Admission requirements
The CU Denver Executive MBA prepares mid- to senior-level managers for executive leadership. As such, we seek candidates who are currently in management positions with a demonstrated record of achievement and potential for further promotion. In addition, the ideal candidate has:
- A minimum of 10-12 years of full-time professional work experience.
- Prior degrees that are supported by official university transcripts, including GPA for all courses.
- Two letters of professional recommendation.
- A complete admissions form, including a self-recommendation letter and current résumé.
- A sponsorship form, to be completed by your organization, stipulating any support that will be provided and agreeing to allow you sufficient time for all classes and coursework.
All candidates must complete an interview as the final stage of the selection process. The interview helps us assess your motivation for pursuing an Executive MBA, your academic and professional experience, and your plans for the future.
In addition to the requirements above:
- If you are a citizen of a country where English is not the official language, you must present an official score from the TOEFL or IELTS tests. This requirement is waived for candidates who have previously earned a degree from a U.S. college or university.
- Candidates who wish to strengthen their applications may submit a GMAT score, but it is not necessary in all cases.
Individuals who do not meet the above criteria, but have a non-traditional background of business success or are already in a senior position in their organization, are encouraged to contact the Program Coordinator, Victor Sanchez, to discuss the potential for enrollment in the program.
Curriculum and faculty
The program consists of 15 core courses for a total of 45 credit hours. It is designed with working professionals in mind; you will complete your degree in 18 months while you work. Courses balance an essential core (e.g. accounting, finance, leadership, marketing, strategy) with other innovative and topical courses to accelerate the transition to executive leadership.
International trip
This 3-credit course offers students the opportunity to learn about and participate in global business through intensive classroom sessions and first-hand experiences abroad. The course overlays multiple experiential-learning models to offer students unique exposure to global teams, international business, and executive-level insights. Students will implement leadership and management tools to enhance their effectiveness in the international environment. Specifically, and dependent on university risk and safety assessments, students will travel for approximately two weeks during this course. Both before and during the trip, the students will work in teams on a consulting project with a client firm in the country to be visited.
Hybrid method of instruction
On campus: Classes meet on campus two weekends each term. Classes are held from 8:30 am-4:30 pm Friday and Saturday, and consist of traditional lectures, discussions, and group activities. They provide ample opportunities to work with peers and faculty.
Online: Virtual conferencing brings the classroom into your home, through Canvas and Zoom. You’ll have access to course assignments, presentations, and discussions with professors and your classmates.
Hispanic-Serving Institution designation
CU Denver was the first research university in Colorado to attain the status of Hispanic-Serving Institution in 2021-2022. More information is available at this link.
Program faculty
The Executive MBA faculty are hand-selected to deliver a transformative learning experience. A third of our faculty are from CU Denver, while the rest of the faculty are from other universities around the country or are leaders in industry. All of our faculty are excellent at bringing their applicable skills and expertise to the classroom. This innovative approach to executive education offers our students access to some of the best instructors in the nation. We are proud of what we are offering and do not think many programs can compete with this level of diversity and excellence.
Information about faculty biographies is available here.
Leadership: Jung Park (Cherry Creek School District)
Accounting: Mary Malina (CU Denver)
Business Law and Ethics: Tim Mazur (Indivior Pharmaceutical)
Analytical Decision Making: Thomas Eppel (UC Irvine)
Economics: Kate Watkins (Bright Fox Analytics)
Operations: Steve Lawrence (CU Boulder)
Negotiation: Kelly See (CU Denver)
Information Systems: Ramiro Montealegre (CU Boulder)
International Course and Global Leadership: Schon Beechler (INSEAD), Jill Lohmiller (CU Denver)
Marketing: Brian McCarthy (Portland State)
Finance: Amanda Thompson (Explore Interactive)
Strategy: Jeff Reuer (CU Boulder)
Digital Technologies: Calvin Anderson (VF Corporation)
Sustainable Value Creation: David Chandler (CU Denver)
Business Model Innovation: Gideon Markman (Colorado State)
Course list
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
XBUS 6100 | Executive MBA Leadership | 3 |
XBUS 6140 | Executive MBA Accounting | 3 |
XBUS 6200 | Executive MBA Business Law and Ethics | 3 |
XBUS 6240 | Executive MBA Data Analytics | 3 |
XBUS 6300 | Executive MBA Economics | 3 |
XBUS 6340 | Executive MBA Operations | 3 |
XBUS 6400 | Executive MBA Negotiation | 3 |
XBUS 6440 | Executive MBA Information Systems | 3 |
XBUS 6500 | Executive MBA International Course | 3 |
XBUS 6600 | Executive MBA Marketing | 3 |
XBUS 6630 | Executive MBA Finance | 3 |
XBUS 6700 | Executive MBA Strategy | 3 |
XBUS 6740 | Executive MBA Digital Technologies | 3 |
XBUS 6800 | Executive MBA Sustainable Value Creation | 3 |
XBUS 6830 | Executive MBA Business Model Innovation | 3 |
Total Hours | 45 |
Mission
The CU Denver Executive MBA program produces leaders with the capabilities to manage their organization more effectively. Specifically, the program equips students with the technical knowledge and analytical skills to create value and build a sustainable competitive advantage for their firm, in a diverse and rigorous educational environment.
Goal 1: Act strategically
Formulate and implement strategies that are designed to build a sustainable competitive advantage for the firm.
Goal 2: Think critically
Analyze quantitative and qualitative information to develop counterintuitive, insightful solutions to a given business problem.
Goal 3: Embrace diversity
Appreciate the complexity of organizational life, and the significance of leading an inclusive and representative culture.
Goal 4: Demonstrate technology leadership
Apply relevant technology tools to support business processes and strategic decision making.
Goal 5: Create sustainable value
Redefine the purpose of the for-profit firm in terms of value creation for a broad set of stakeholders over the medium to long term.
These objectives are assessed in relevant courses across the curriculum using exam questions, group projects, in-class presentations, and experiential simulations.