Executive MBA Curriculum

The Whittemore Executive MBA spans five terms which are completed in nineteen months. The program begins with a four day residency in September that provides an orientation to the program, school and fellow classmates. During the residency week students spend a day at the Browne Center getting to know their peers and developing skills to promote and strengthen teamwork. An Alumni reception and social sponsored by the second year class help introduce new students to the Whittemore MBA network.

The first year of the program is comprised of nine courses which help to build a strong foundation on which all other courses that follow are based. Students also participate in a Management Seminar, which meets on Friday evenings. This seminar invites business executives to present their views on the current issues facing their business and the state of their industry as a whole. Occasionally, presentations focus on the broader set of skills you need to master in order to be an effective manager in today's business climate.

During the two-month summer break from formal coursework, students work one-on-one with a faculty sponsor in pursuit of an independent project. The purpose of this project is to take a theoretical concept from the first year of study and apply it to a real-world situation. Past projects have included the development of a company mentoring program, creating a marketing analysis for a small family business, examining the operational implementation of a new product, and Six Sigma Certification.

The second year of the Whittemore Executive MBA culminates with the final two terms and two off-campus residencies.

In Term IV students take two required courses along with their choice of one of two year-long elective track courses. The two tracks are Entrepreneurial Venture Creation and Managing Technological Innovation.

Entrepreneurial Venture Creation is studied as an approach to general management that begins with opportunity recognition and culminates with the exploration of the opportunity. Corporate intrapreneurship (the development and nurturing of a business unit, division or new venture within a corporate organization) is also covered.

Managing Technological Innovation examines patterns of innovation and analytical frameworks that can be used to examine and identify patterns, new product developments, management techniques, and leadership approaches that promote them.

Students also spend three days in mid-November for the New York City Wall Street Residence. This residence is integrated into the Financial Management course and provides for a real world look into the financial world. For an in-depth look at the finance residency please click on the "Wall Street Residency" in the right-side bar.

A year-long course offered in International Business exposes students to various issues encountered when companies expand and do business overseas. The course and program culminates with a ten day intensive overseas program that includes company visits, guest lectures and cultural events. Pictures and the agenda can be viewed by clicking on the "International Residency" on the right-side bar.