Curriculum

The Ross School of Business Executive MBA Program at the University of Michigan offers an innovative curriculum focused on:

• Developing leadership skills, tools, and vision
• Developing critical thinking ability
• Applying key analytical concepts and tools
• Creating value
• Leveraging technology
• Competing globally
• Leading organizational change

Because real companies have real issues to contend with, Executive MBA courses at Michigan are designed around issues and solutions rather than just functional areas.  Therefore, in addition to basic discipline and functional courses, the Ross Executive MBA program employs a series of integrated courses focused on developing leadership skills. 

"Unlike other graduate programs where the educational experience is often a one way street - professor to student - Michigan's Executive MBA program creates learning environment in which the students gain knowledge not only from the faculty, but also from one another.  The insights and real life experiences my fellow students bring to the classroom combine academic theory with real life business practices, enriching the entire educational experience." David Mengebier, Class of 2006 Sr. Vice President, Governmental and Public Affairs CMS Energy Jackson, MI

EMBA Curriculum Goals

Rigor

Premise:
A solid grounding in fundamentals and an understanding of how things work is the best way to prepare for an uncertain future.  We want to provide you with problem-solving and decision-making skills that will help you assess not only today's business problems, but those of five, ten, even twenty years from now.

Relevance

Premise:
Focus on significant issues facing management.  Many of the concepts and tools will have immediate application on the job.  Current business challenges can be brought into the classroom for discussion. Key program topics include analytical tools of business leadership, organizational excellence, the strategist's perspective, leadership development, and an action learning project.

Unique Features of a Ross EMBA

Professional Development Program

Parallel to the monthly courses is a Professional Development module that focuses on your growth as an individual executive.  Its aim is to help you develop and refine your career goals, and then apply what you learn at Michigan to the achievement of those goals.

Year one of the program will engage participants in a guided process of self-assessment and of building a professional development plan.  Featured highlights include meeting one-on-one with the PDP Director in helping to outline plan specifics, a more formal assessment of one's own strengths and opportunities for improvement, and the identification of a personal development plan.

Year two of the program will consist of a series of "Next-Level" skill workshops aimed at working on the skills needed at the next level of an individual's career.  Sessions may cover topics ranging from emotional intelligence to interactive sessions on working with the media, managing relationships with board of directors, designing centers of creativity, managing difficult conversations, and interacting with Wall Street analysts.  Hot Topic lunches are also arranged with fellow classmates leading discussions based on their expertise and experiences in situations relating to professional development.

Quantitative Skills Workshop

A Quantitative Skills Workshop (QSW) is offered for those participants whose analytical skills need refreshing.  A series of lectures on CD is mailed to admitted participants in the months before beginning the Executive MBA Program.  These lectures review many of the basic quantitative skills needed for the program, along with solved problems and exercises.  At the beginning of the orientation residency, participants have the opportunity to attend a one day QSW Program, which covers more advanced material.  A second optional QSW session is held later in the first semester.