Once-a-Month Format

Michigan Ross offers a world-class MBA in a flexible format that allows you to integrate studies with your existing personal and professional commitments.

Once a month for 21 months, you will convene with faculty and classmates for on-campus residencies. On-campus residencies are typically held Friday through Saturday. Friday evenings are often used for group meetings, review sessions, speakers, and skill-building workshops.

In addition, EMBA students engage in extended residencies at the beginning of each program year. These residencies will integrate students in Ann Arbor and Los Angeles, offering expanded networking for members of each respective cohort.

Programming is divided into five terms. Ann Arbor and Los Angeles students follow the same basic schedule. The EMBA program begins in August, and commencement takes place 21 months later in April/May.

Distance Learning

EMBA curriculum is augmented with distance learning throughout the program. You’ll be engaged – wherever you are – via online collaborations, Mediasite lectures, streaming video, interactive case studies, team-based simulations, and online exams. The distance learning environment is teamwork-driven, mirroring today’s global business environment. Ann Arbor and Los Angeles students will collaborate in integrated online learning communities.

The average weekly commitment is about 20 hours per week, although this varies by individual and course. Exams are taken remotely; students enjoy the flexibility to take exams anytime during the three-day Friday-Sunday window.

Real-World Learning

The centerpiece of Michigan Ross' action-based curriculum, the Executive Multidisciplinary Action Projects course, requires students to spend four months at the onset of year two consulting with an organization. Students select from a diverse slate of executive-level project offerings that cover a wide range of topics from supply chain and market entry issues to acquisitions and entrepreneurial startups. Travel is required for some projects but not all.

Integrated Living and Learning Experience

Whether in Ann Arbor or Los Angeles, the Michigan Ross EMBA provides a sophisticated living and learning community in which lodging, fine dining, and executive services are provided. Students in Ann Arbor live and learn in Michigan Ross' Executive Learning and Conference Center. Students in Los Angeles do the same at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills.

Program Calendars

View a detailed 21-month calendar for the next cohort starting in August 2013.

"The once-a-month format is a huge differentiator." Earning an MBA while staying on top of work and family commitments seemed like a tall order to Ryan Majkrzak, MBA '13, but Ross’ once-a-month format made it possible. "I was able to apply Ross tools to my work right away." Matt Denninger, MBA '13, is a senior marketing manager for Advanced Energy Industries Inc.'s solar energy business. He says the tools he's gained at Ross already have enabled him to apply strategic change within his company. "I'm gaining the business skills I need to manage change in healthcare." Betty Chu, MBA '13, is a physician and medical staff president. She says she knew that to be a successful leader and change agent, she had to expand her education beyond medicine. "Faculty are very focused on practical, real-world application." Preston Young, MBA '13, says the Ross EMBA program is teaching him to see management and leadership strategy from entirely new angles. "I'm tackling our toughest issues with confidence now." Tessa Myers, MBA '13, says she's at a point in her career where she's striving to contribute more value to the organization and take on more strategic responsibility over larger areas. "My new position came as a direct result of the program." Prasanna Kumar, MBA '11, says he pursued an EMBA program to give him the skills and credibility to take his career further. In just a short time, the Ross experience delivered. "Every part of the curriculum touched on an important aspect of my work." Luke Nachtrab, MBA ’11, describes how he looked at 25 of the top EMBA programs and chose Ross because of its strong emphasis on strategy and general management. "I got a comprehensive set of tools I've been able to apply immediately in my work." The general management curriculum gave Larry Pemble, MBA ’11, knowledge he says he’s putting to use across his organization. "I'm a stronger consultant to my clients and better business owner." Keisha Strong, MBA ’11, says the Ross EMBA is helping her make real world impact. As a consultant, she’s helping clients leverage her new knowledge for global expansion. "The FBI is run like a business." FBI agent Jeff Brown, MBA '11, knows how to tackle bad guys. But the Ross EMBA Program has taught him to tackle finance, accounting, and other business fundamentals. "Ross gave me great problem-solving tools." Mike Carscaddon, MBA '08, has nailed a solid foundation in international operations at Habitat for Humanity International. The Ross EMBA Program gave him the data-driven outlook needed for his nonprofit. "The monthly format was ideal." John Chang, MBA '09, became a doctor in order to help people. But a contentious meeting with hospital administrators made him realize his profession is evolving — physicians now need a head for business. "Ross made me a more effective leader." As a doctor and professor, Edith Mensah-Osman, MBA '11, is leveraging her MBA to lead the business side of research. She calls the Ross EMBA Program the best gift she's ever given herself. View All Profiles