What to Look for in an Executive MBA

In the second of this two-part series on how an Executive MBA fits your personal career plan, QS TopExecutive gets some expert advice from business schools.

An Executive MBA has proven to be a successful stepping stone for many - to promotion, greater management responsibilities, career changes, even entrepreneurial activities. As these opportunities show, an EMBA can fit into a range of personal career plans – no matter what the desired outcome may be.

Brand recognition, diversity and collaboration

Professor Claudia Jonczyk, Associate Professor of Organisation Studies at ESCP Europe Business School, says:
"Each EMBA participant has his/her own specific aims and aspirations he/she wants to achieve. Project yourself into the future, and the end of the EMBA program, and ask yourself what you will want to have achieved by then. Perhaps it’s being more knowledgeable about behavioural finance or viral marketing? If you have specific expertise needs in certain subject areas, look at the respective faculty members of the schools you are considering. Brand recognition will certainly be a criterion.

“Above a good brand name you may want to consider the school’s location, its own diversity and its exchange collaborations with other academic partners. This will give you an idea in which parts of the world you will find a strong alumni community.

“Last but not least, research the respective scheduling format - classes concentrated on weekends, evenings or blocked sessions should not be neglected as a factor. Making sure that the time format fits your needs and availability is also crucial to prevent extra pressure."

Expectations and experience

Dr Kerry Sullivan, MBA Director at Surrey Business School, says:
"There are of number of criteria which candidates searching for an Executive MBA will need to consider. The content of many Executive MBA programs will not differ significantly. The core management topics of finance, human resource management, operations, strategy etc. will be covered in every accredited program so candidates need to establish what added value programs offer. How does the program integrate personal development into the curriculum? Will their personal competency in areas such as decision making, managing others, or negotiation be enhanced by this program? All programs will offer management theories but how many will include a real consultancy opportunity on the course? And how is theory and practice combined?

“The sacrifice of time and money for executive candidates means the learning experience is paramount. Candidates need to take the opportunity to talk to current and former students and explore how the program matched their expectations and experience. They should also note the diversity of the group attending the program; MBA students learn from the experiences of their cohort as well as the academics. A good program will have a mix of students from private and public environments representing a range of industrial sectors. If everyone sitting in the room has the same experiences as you there is perhaps little to learn from them.

“Ultimately, the [E]MBA provides significant added value that doesn’t appear on the core syllabus: growth in personal skills, confidence, efficacy and a strong network you grow close to over the time of the course. These outcomes are difficult to measure from the marketing material so candidates need to make sure they talk to previous students and see if the learning experience on offer matches their expectations."

Strong connections

Koen Dewettinck, Programme Director for the Executive MBA at Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School, says:
“Taking an EMBA is a life-changing experience. Choosing which school to help you develop your professional potential is therefore not an easy one and will depend heavily on your background, past achievements, current strengths and development opportunities, personal ambitions and also practical considerations.

“Beyond the reputation of the school, content of the courses, the schedules and location, it is also very important to get a solid view on the people you will be meeting and working together with (other students, faculty, alumni). It is also important to check the schools approach to teaching, which is often reflected in the average class size and teaching methods used. People with different personalities and learning styles might favour different schools.

“Another important one is to get an idea about the general atmosphere in the school and how strong the connections are between the school, the business community and their alumni. Brochures might help, but reaching out and talking to current students, faculty and alumni is often much more effective.”

Theories and practice

Patrick Butler, Academic Director for the Executive MBA at Melbourne Business School, says:
“As a prospective EMBA student, you should be seeking out a program that offers a classroom and syndicate environment with other "battle-hardened" classmates, rather than people who haven’t yet experienced management roles. You want to be alongside people from multiple sectors and professions who can really challenge your views of business and who can introduce new ideas and approaches. “There also needs to be a good mix of theory and practice that draws meaningfully on your management experience.”