The Executive MBA Program
Graduate School of Business
Graduate School of Business
The Executive MBA Program at the University of Charleston is perhaps one of the most innovative and exciting programs for individuals currently in beginning, middle or upper level management positions. The Executive MBA Program is designed to provide a broad, yet specifically designed, curriculum that will provide candidates with the needed insight to successfully understand the intricacies of a constantly changing economic world.
It’s different in presentation, course content, student participation and, most importantly, to the sponsoring business or corporation there is an immediate return in increased knowledge and benefits from their employee/student. The curriculum is based heavily on current practical experiences with a theory based foundation. Divided into five 12-week modules, participants meet every other weekend (Friday 5:30pm – 9:00pm; Saturday 8:00am – 5:00pm) for fifteen months. During this period they have highly qualified UC instructors available in addition to the presence of up to fifty outside resource personnel. The resource personnel (speakers on both Friday and Saturday) are senior level executives from business, education, banking, state and federal government, healthcare, marketing, finance and entrepreneurship.
Participants will be instructed in learning creative thinking, recognizing actual and potential problems, and analyzing the best solution. Working in teams, participants will also learn the importance of group interaction in problem solving. Practical scenarios in problem solving will be utilized with students required to analyze and act on each situation.
Specific attention will be placed on the importance of recognizing and adapting to change, recognizing potential problems and having the ability to not only correct but to instill proper guidelines to prevent recurrence.
Realizing today’s business is not conducted in a vacuum, but rather in a global context, additional attention will be placed on the international aspects of business. During the Fourth Module, students will participate in an international practicum by traveling to a foreign country for approximately 10 days. While there they will meet with business leaders, distinquished educators and have the opportunity to personally view the business practices and education of that particular region of the world. Past practicums have taken students to London, Paris and most recently, Spain.
All five Modules of the EMBA Program are heavily geared to team participation. Practical applications to theory will be examined as will exploration of recognized or proposed changes in both. As part of the team approach, students will have emphasis placed on individual contributions, including improving speaking and writing skills.
Check out the EMBA curriculum >>
Realizing the rapid globalization of business, the EMBA program utilizes a personalized International Research Practicum. Students in the program will spend a week abroad meeting with key executives in a foreign country comparing business practices, finance, human resources, and basic business practices. Previous programs have enabled students to visit executives in Germany, Spain, Argentina, London and most recently, Ireland.
In addition to introducing participants to sound management principles, they are also expected to exercise efficient and clear business writing skills along with the ability to speak confidently and clearly in presentations.
How good is our program? Recently Dr. John Quelch, Professor at Harvard Business School, wrote a paper entitled “A New Agenda for Business Schools”, in which he stated there are five areas that business schools need to champion to reaffirm the core mission of a professional business school in today’s world. They are: Leadership, Ethics, Global Thinking, Management Skills and Technological Innovation. The EMBA Program at the University of Charleston is adhering to all five areas mentioned.
Should you take part in the EMBA Program? Only if you are interested in receiving one of the best management education programs available, not only in West Virginia, but in the entire Ohio Valley. While some MBA programs cost in excess of $50,000, our tuition ($4,400 per module) is not only very reasonable, but includes everything required for successful program completion, including textbooks, meals and the International Practicum.
If you are interested in more information – or if you would like a personal meeting – please call, write or e-mail to the addresses listed below.
Dr. Robert L. Bliss
Chair, Jones Division of Business
Associate Director, Graduate School of Business
Director, EMBA Program
University of Charleston
Charleston, WV 25304
304.357.4865
robertbliss@ucwv.edu