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An Executive Masters in Business Administration, or EMBA, is the on-target master's degree for those aspiring to top-level executive and management positions. The focus of the EMBA program is to develop leadership, business practices and decision-making processes in those wanting to work their way toward the top. The EMBA is ideal for those already in a career who desire to improve their performance and qualifications and reach for higher-level management responsibilities.
Executive MBA Distance Learning Overview
Colleges, universities and business schools have tailored their executive MBA distance learning programs to meet the needs and challenges of busy professionals and those with family responsibilities. Earning an EMBA through distance learning or online settings brings the education home in a flexible format and allows students to study and learn based on their own schedules. Executive MBA distance learning may require class participation, but in a format that is less direct than that in the classroom.
Online Executive MBA Programs: Courses and Specialties
An executive MBA distance learning program is specialized to meet the educational and career goals of individual students. Examples of specialties within the MBA include:
Some coursework is standard throughout the broad range of EMBA programs. Typically, students will take classes in accounting, economics, finance, marketing and management.
Benefits of Executive MBA Distance Learning
An online education has numerous benefits for busy professionals and families. These include:
The EMBA is one degree that leads to a high-paying career, although no pay is ever guaranteed. The EMBA is a common educational achievement for those employed as chief executives and general or operations managers, according to the BLS. Mean earned wages for chief executives were $167,280 and the mean earned wages for general and operations managers were $110,550, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The EMBA qualifies graduates for executive positions in both the private and public sectors.
Earning an Executive MBA
Studying for an EMBA via distance learning still requires the same time, work and comittment as required by a traditional campus-based MBA program. The essential differences between distance and campus-based MBA programs are the learning locations, the flexibility in scheduling and the method of communication. Common challenges for those embarking on the executive MBA distance learning program include distractions, family and work responsibilities and time pressures. The challenges are many for those wanting to obtain their EMBA, but those with the determination and the staying power can work their way through a program, many of which are two years in length.
Executive MBA Distance Learning: Admissions and Cost
A common concern for potential EMBA candidates is the accreditation of schools. Accreditation is extremely important since it identifies an institution of higher learning as one that meets standards set by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). A school lacking accreditation may or may not provide a quality education and the MBA will be suspect when employment or promotional opportunities become available.
There are six regional accrediting agencies under the auspices of CHEA. Candidates should ensure that the business school selected is accredited by one of them. These accrediting institutions include:
Applying for admission to an MBA program depends on the admissions policies of the schools selected. All MBA programs require completion of a bachelor's degree prior to application. Most MBA programs require that the Graduate Management Admissions Test, or GMAT, be successfully completed and the results forwarded to the school prior to the admissions deadline. Students pay the cost of the testing.
Additional requirements include letters of recommendation from past teachers, professors, or employers and college level education transcripts. An applicant's employment history, entrance essay identifying educational goals, and admissions interview with a faculty member may also be required. The cost of tuition, books, and other fees for an online EMBA depends entirely on the individual school. Costs for an EMBA education can range anywhere from the tens of thousands to well over $100,000.
Earning an EMBA is a life-changing experience with lasting professional results. Personal and professional development are top priorities for executives and the MBA conclusively demonstrates that the graduate is well on his or her way to the top.
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