Convenient, Top-Ranked and Highly Respected
The Kennesaw State University Executive MBA (EMBA) program was recently ranked No. 1 in Georgia for the seventh year in a row in the 2023 CEO Magazine Global MBA Rankings. These rankings, which are based on factors such as the quality of the faculty, work experience of the students, class size and faculty-to-student ratio have helped grow the program’s reputation nationally and internationally. In addition to being ranked No. 1 in Georgia, the program was ranked third in North America and 12th in the world.
What Is an Executive MBA?
While the term “executive” can be intimidating, an Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) is really an MBA for working professionals looking to advance their careers. Students come into the program at different career stages: individual contributors, managers, directors and C-suite (chief financial officer, CEO, chief information security officer).
Prospective students must have at least five years of post-undergraduate professional work experience to be considered for the program. The GMAT (graduate management assessment test) is not a requirement for admission. Classes meet in person approximately one weekend per month, which makes this an ideal option for those looking to complete their degree while continuing to focus on their career. The program is designed to be instantly applicable in the workplace, leading to rapid career advancement and a strong return on investment.
A Team Approach
One of the differentiating factors of the KSU EMBA program is its program-long teaming approach. The cohort is broken down into teams of five to seven students, and these teams remain intact for the entire length of the program.
Great care is taken to ensure that teams are diverse and composed of individuals with varying backgrounds and skill sets. In addition to looking at factors such as industry, years of work experience and titles, the students’ personality types are considered as well. All students take the DiSC personality profile assessment before the program begins, and the results are used as an additional tool to ensure teams are diverse.
An International Experience
In the final semester of the program, students learn about doing business in a global economy. Using this knowledge and applying what they have learned in the program, each EMBA student team will choose a consulting project from a South American company and will begin the process of working with that company virtually to define the scope. These are real business needs, and, in most cases, the companies implement the recommendations from the teams.
Students finalize their international business consulting projects during their 10-day residency in South America, all while experiencing cultural immersion, participating in a service project, and learning about the economic, social, and political issues of the country.
Important Facts to Consider
An Executive MBA is an accelerated program and a significant investment of time over 19 months. While students have the support of an individual coach, a team coach and a dedicated faculty, it is important for them to have support at home as well. Prospective students are encouraged to discuss the program with their family members and consider what sacrifices will need to be made to make time for the program.
“Kennesaw State University’s Executive MBA program has far exceeded any expectations I had prior to entering the 19-month program. I gained valuable business acumen, both at home and globally. I learned to build and sustain strong cultures through the program’s team-based delivery and have built long-lasting relationships and support systems. The program encouraged us to adapt our learning in real time to work situations, which allowed for an experiential component. This application helped me with overall performance improvement, leading to a promotion during the program.
“The program also provided me with an opportunity for self-reflection that helped strengthen my leadership skills and allowed for exceptional personal growth. These opportunities have helped me better understand who I am as a person and as a leader.”
— Allen Gandhi, assistant director, pharmacy services, Emory Healthcare
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