The Executive MBA Program

The Executive Master of Business Administration (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.

Our Executive MBA Program is 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 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) for fifteen months. During this period, students 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, health care, 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 also will learn the importance of group interaction in problem solving. Practical scenarios in problem solving will be used. Students will 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 correct and 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 ten days. While there, they will meet with business leaders, distinguished 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, Spain, and most recently, Italy.

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.

Realizing the rapid globalization of business, the EMBA program uses 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, Ireland, and most recently, Italy.

In addition to introducing participants to sound management principles, they also are 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. Some MBA programs cost in excess of $50,000.  Our tuition ($4,750 per module) is very reasonable and includes everything required for successful program completion. This tuition includes textbooks, meals, and the International Practicum.

Important Information for International Students
The EMBA program is intended for full-time business executives. Under U.S. immigration regulation, international students would not be eligible for this program because international students on F-1 student visas are not eligible to work full-time off campus during their studies in the U.S. 

Note: International students would be eligible to study in the MBAL program. 
Learn more about our MBAL program.

2010 EMBA and EMFA Programs Opening Banquet

EMBA Students Study in Italy