Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Information:
Executive MBA Program
Office of Admissions
Stephen M. Ross School of Business
University of Michigan
701 Tappan Street, E2540
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 647-3400
(734) 763-7804 FAX
rossemba@umich.edu
General Information
What makes Michigan
different from other EMBA programs?
How does the Executive MBA program differ from Michigan's
Full-time MBA Program?
Is there a difference between the Ann Arbor and Los Angeles cohorts?
What areas does your curriculum emphasize?
How long does the program take to complete?
What is the format of the program?
What happens when we are not in residency?
How much time should I expect to set aside for
homework during the week?
How many students per class?
Will I be expected to work alone, or will I be
assigned to work with a group of my peers?
Where do classes meet?
Where do I stay while in residence?
Can I choose a major for my Executive MBA?
Will my degree be the same as if I attended the
Full-time MBA Program?
Who are the faculty teaching in the EMBA?
Is the Michigan EMBA Program accredited?
Do you hold information sessions?
Admissions Information
How do I apply?
Is an interview required?
What can I expect in the
interview?
Can I sit in on a class?
When are applications due?
Can I apply to the Executive MBA and
another Michigan program during the same year?
Do I have to take the GMAT?
Do international candidates have to take the TOEFL?
When will I be notified of a decision regarding
my admission?
Finances
How much does the program cost?
What is included in the cost of the program?
Are scholarships and/or loans available?
Is corporate sponsorship required?
When are payments due?
Career Development
Do you offer career development services?
Is on-campus recruiting provided for EMBA
participants?
General Information
Q: What makes Michigan different from other EMBA programs?
A: The Executive MBA Program offers three differentiating factors, including its intense focus on leadership development, the applied nature of the curriculum, and the unique once-per-month online/on-campus format. Parallel to the traditional courses is a professional development track in which participants outline goals as well as identify strengths and areas for growth during the first year. In the second year, a number of different workshops will be organized around these identified goals. Recent topics include dealing with media in crisis situations, managing relationships with corporate boards, and managing senior staff groups. We seek to bring together a diverse set of individuals representing the broadest spectrum of industries as well as firms and individual functions. We build on the tremendous resources of Michigan Ross' world-class portfolio of degree programs and Executive Education to provide an intense, collaborative learning environment.
Q: How does the Executive MBA program differ from Michigan's Full-time MBA Program?
A: The Executive MBA program is customized to meet the needs of individuals in senior management roles, focusing on leadership skills needed to be successful at the executive level. Specifically, the program targets participants who have 10-15 years of work experience, with significant experience in a managerial/supervisory capacity. The collective professional experience of EMBA participants enriches the learning experience both in and outside the classroom.
The participants’ average age for the last several entering classes has been 38, with about 10 years in a managerial/supervisory capacity. Participants come from a broad variety of organizations, including Fortune 500 firms, as well as regional and entrepreneurial businesses. While the core curriculum is similar to that in the Full-time MBA Program, the overall EMBA curriculum is more strategic in focus and designed to help participants make an immediate impact at work, while taking advantage of the participant's professional experiences. Both programs include Michigan's signature field study, the Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP) course, which partners students with organizations across the world.
The day MBA program is a two-year, full-time program targeting individuals who have had approximately four to five years of work experience, typically at the analyst level; average age of students is 28. Candidates are looking at their MBA experience as a way to "jump-start" their career as well as to explore different career options. Whereas the EMBA program is a "lock-step" program where all participants take the same classes at the same time, the full-time program allows for a focus area (i.e. consulting, finance, marketing).
Q: Is there a difference between the Ann Arbor and Los Angeles cohorts?
A: Whether in Los Angeles or Ann Arbor, students will experience the same Michigan Ross EMBA. Both locations will offer the same strong, general management curriculum, renowned Michigan Ross faculty, and high-quality learning and networking experiences during on-campus residencies. Both Ann Arbor and Los Angeles will follow the same schedule format. Students in both locations will benefit from selected shared residenceis and integrated networking opportunities.
Q: What areas does your curriculum emphasize?
A: The curriculum at Michigan's Ross emphasizes general management, strategy, and leadership development. It is highly applied and geared toward providing the skills and toolsets needed by individuals to lead organizations. Participants seeking advancement to the highest levels in their organizations need to have a broad-based education as opposed to functional expertise. As such, the EMBA curriculum provides a rigorous general management education that focuses on a strategic approach to business issues and problem solving as a successful leader. Being able to identify the "big picture" and implement winning strategy is critical to our approach.
Parallel to the traditional courses is a professional development track in which participants outline goals as well as identify strengths and areas for growth during the first year. In the second year, a number of different workshops will be organized around these identified goals. Recent topics include dealing with media in crisis situations, managing relationships with corporate boards, and managing senior staff groups. Also included are a number of other presentations, including our Executive Speaker Series, as well as a number of business-related sessions.
ExecMAP and the electives unit near the end of the 20-month program provide opportunities to customize your learning based on your unique goals and interests.
Q: How long does the program take to complete?
A: The Executive MBA Program at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business is a 20-month program. Courses begin in August and conclude 20 months later in April.
Q: What is the format of the program?
A: Participants in the EMBA Program attend a 10-day residency at the beginning of each academic year, and return to campus approximately once per month for an all-day Friday/Saturday residency. There is a major field project course (ExecMAP) held at the outset of the second year. During the weeks when participants are not in residence, the program takes advantage of a number of different distance learning technologies to augment the traditional face-to-face classroom teaching as well as provide opportunities for virtual team meetings. To view a sample 20-month calendar, click here.
Q: What happens when we are not in residency?
A: Participants are provided with the necessary materials and technologies to facilitate their distance learning efforts. With three courses typically taught concurrently, each month is organized to allow for one full week of online learning per class. Lectures are provided via podcasts, which may offer a number of different learning opportunities ranging from streaming video to interactive cases. The EMBA Program also supports a software platform allowing a broad range of features to supplement virtual teams, including document exchange as well as voice conferencing.
Q: How much time should I expect to set aside for homework during the week?
A: On average, you should anticipate spending between 15 to 20 hours per week on homework, including meeting times and time spent reviewing online materials. This time may vary depending on course material and individual habits.
Q: How many students per class?
A: We target a class of 35 to 60 students to begin each Fall.
Q: Will I be expected to work alone, or will I be assigned to work with a group of my peers?
A: You will be assigned to a group that will include five or six of your peers. Although not all class work will be assigned as a group task, we recognize that many decisions made in the work environment are done so with a group of colleagues. Teams are formed with the intention of bringing together a diverse group of individuals across function and industry. Groups will typically change at least three times in the program to maximize your interaction with other classmates and to form the basis of a lifetime network.
Q: Where do classes meet?
A: Students in Ann Arbor will have classes Michigan Ross' Sam Wyly Hall, which has been designed specifically for the needs of executive education. Wyly Hall is attached to the Executive Residence, where you will live and dine with your EMBA classmates. Wyly Hall is interconnected with the five buildings that make up Michigan Ross' campus.
Students in Los Angeles will have classes in the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, where trained staff will provide an educational environment that mirrors the Ann Arbor experience.
Q: Where do I stay while in residence?
A: Students in Ann Arbor will stay in Michigan Ross' Executive Residence, which incorporates first-class living with fine dining in a streamlined experience. Hotel rooms are located on the top three floors of the Executive Residence and Wyly Hall, with classrooms on the lower levels. In the event that space is not available during some residencies (very rare), we will coordinate your stay with local full-service hotels.
Students in Los Angeles will stay in the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, where first-class services will support you in a streamlined experience to enable you to focus on studies not on logistics.
Q: Can I choose a major for my Executive MBA?
A: As this is a "lock step" program, participants take the same classes at the same time with the same cohort. While there are no formal electives, there are opportunities to customize the experience based on individual interests. This may range from course assignments in which participants and/or teams can study specific industries and/or organizations, to the ExecMAP field projects in which participants are able to select from a variety of projects in different industries and functional areas.
Q: Will my degree be the same as if I attended the Full-time MBA Program?
A: Yes, there is only one Master of Business Administration degree granted by the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
Q: Who are the faculty teaching in the EMBA Program?
A: Faculty are drawn from the same pool of professors teaching in the full-time program. Faculty in the EMBA more often are senior faculty members with significant research, teaching and consulting experience.
Q: Is the Michigan EMBA Program accredited?
A: Yes, the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is fully accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Q: Do you hold information sessions?
A: Yes, multiple sessions are scheduled
each year. For the current schedule,
click here. If you are
unable to attend one of the scheduled sessions, we would be happy to meet with
you on an individual basis either in person, or over the phone.
Admissions Information
Q: How do I apply?
A: You will need to submit an online application form, a current resume, two letters of recommendation, three essays, transcripts from all educational institutions at which you studied, the application fee, and other administrative forms. In addition, all candidates must complete an in-person interview before an application is considered complete.
Q: Is an interview required?
A: Yes. Interviews are scheduled Monday - Friday during regular business hours. Applicants are encouraged to schedule their interviews on Fridays when classes are in residency. Friday interviewees are also invited to attend a class, have lunch with current students, and tour the facilities during their visit. To schedule an interview, please contact us at (734) 647-3400.
Q: What can I expect in the interview?
A: Interviews are approximately one hour in length and are conducted by one member of the admissions committee. Dress is business formal. During the interview, you should be prepared to discuss your professional history, current level of responsibility, and personal and professional reasons for pursuing an Executive MBA at Ross. The interview is also an opportunity to discuss any questions you may have about the program.
Q: Can I sit in on a class?
A: Yes. Applicants are welcome to sit in on a class. Class visits are offered on Fridays and are typically scheduled in conjunction with on-campus interviews.
Q: When are applications due?
A: The application deadline for the Fall 2012 cohort is June 2012. Because a rolling admissions process is used, we encourage you to apply early within an admissions cycle. To access the online application, click here. We will continue to accept applications on a space-available basis after the final deadline for a specific class. Contact the EMBA Admissions office for updates at (734) 647-3400.
Q: Can I apply to the Executive MBA and another Michigan program during the same year?
A: Individuals are unable to apply to more than one program at Michigan Ross in any given admission cycle.
Q: Do I have to take the GMAT?
A: Applicants to the Ross Executive MBA Program are not required to take the GMAT. If you have taken the GMAT test within the past five years, however, you should include your scores with your application. For information on the GMAT test, visit www.mba.com or call 1-800-462-8669. The code to have scores automatically sent to Ross is SN1-J6-94.
Q: Do international candidates have to take the TOEFL?
A: The TOEFL is required for non-native English speakers. International applicants who have worked in the U.S. full time for two or more years in the last five years, or who hold a degree from an institution in which English is the exclusive language of instruction, may waive the TOEFL requirement. However, this is up to the admissions committee. Candidates should obtain a score of 600 or higher on the paper-based version or 100 or higher on the Internet-based version; candidates must also take the writing test included in the examination unless the writing test is not given at the particular test site. For information on the TOEFL test, visit www.toefl.org. The code to have scores automatically sent to Ross is 9585. Scores are valid no more than two years prior to an application deadline date.
Michigan Ross will accept an IELTS score as an alternative to the TOEFL, and we strongly recommend an IELTS score of 7 or higher.
Q: When will I be notified of a decision regarding my admission?
A: Consideration of applications is done on a rolling admissions basis, meaning that applications will be reviewed as they are received, and decisions will be announced typically within six to eight weeks of receipt.
Finances
Q: How much does the program cost?
A: Tuition and fees are set at the beginning of each program year. Once your tuition is set, it won't change during your 20 months in the program. Tuition and fees for the 20-month EMBA Program that began in Fall 2011 were $131,000 for Michigan residents and $136,000 for nonresidents. Fees for the classes entering in Fall 2012 will be announced in July 2012. See the Registrar's Office for University of Michigan residency requirements. Tuition and fees for the Ann Arbor and Los Angeles cohorts will be the same. For more information, click here.
Q: What is included in the cost of the program?
A: At Michigan Ross, we believe in providing a comprehensive, all-inclusive, immersive experience for EMBA students. We belive this is the best way to foster a high-quality environment for learning, collaboration, and relationship-building among executives in the program. In our program, you won't find hidden costs or unexpected changes to tuition.
Tuition and fees in the Michigan Ross EMBA Program cover:
- All tuition for courses, workshops, special speakers, and events
- All books, electronic resources, and course materials
- Technology, software, and communications needs
- Lodging in Michigan Ross' Executive Residence (Ann Arbor) or the Beverly Wilshire (Los Angeles)
- All dining, including all breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks/coffee breaks, and occasional group dining excursions.
Participants traveling from outside the respective regions may be eligible (depending on distance traveled) to stay in EMBA facilties on the Thursday night prior to Friday morning classes and/or Saturday night after classes. Lodging and meals are covered for the duration of extended on-campus residencies.
Tuition and fees do not cover your travel expenses. EMBA students are required to pay for all transportation to and from Ann Arbor and/or Los Angeles.
Travel required for ExecMAP is covered by sponsoring organizations and/or the EMBA program.
Because the program is designed for intense group interaction, it is expected that participants stay in the Ann Arbor or Los Angeles executive residence location during scheduled sessions.
Q: Are scholarships and/or loans available?
A: A limited number of partial scholarships are available to participants working in the public and/or nonprofit sectors. Michigan Ross also participates in U.S. military scholarship programs.. In addition, federal and private loans are available. We are happy to assist you with your financial aid process. Contact the EMBA Program office for details.
Q: Is corporate sponsorship required?
A: No, corporate financial sponsorship is not required, although a "statement of corporate support" indicating support of your participation in the EMBA Program and recognition of the time commitment is required. Sponsorship may come from your direct supervisor, human resources director, or higher management representative. Candidates who are self-employed may waive this requirement.
Q: When are payments due?
A: A non-refundable deposit of $2,000 is required upon admission to hold your place. There are five semesters recognized within the EMBA Program; payment is due prior to the start of each semester in roughly five equal installments. For the Fall 2011 entering class, payments are due July 15, and Nov. 15, 2011; March 15, July 15, and Nov. 15, 2012. Similar payment dates will be used for subsequent entering classes.
Career Development -- The Ross Executive MBA Program is proud to partner with the Executive MBA Council, the leading organization worldwide for EMBA information and resources.
Q: Do you offer career development services?
A: Given the differences in executive placement in combination with the reality that many participants receive some type of financial support from their employer, formal on-campus recruiting services are more limited. However, the EMBA Program does work with Michigan Ross' Office of Career Development to make available a number of other resources including access to alumni databases, self-assessment tools, and other networking tools and optional skill-building sessions and workshops customized for the EMBA audience. Additional development sessions are included within the EMBA's Professional Development Program. Other resources include one-on-one job coaching and counseling sessions, as well as proprietary databases of corporate information. Specific job postings are available for alumni of the program. As part of our increased focus on providing resources to both current students and alumni of the EMBA Program, many of these services are being rolled out to alumni of the program on an ongoing basis.
Q: Is on-campus recruiting provided for EMBA participants?
A: EMBA students are permitted to participate in on-campus recruiting but must work directly with the EMBA career coach to complete the requirements for eligibility.