Online Executive MBA overview
The Executive MBA (EMBA) program provides an opportunity for mid-career executives and experienced professionals to obtain a master’s degree in Business Administration on a schedule that minimizes disruption of work and personal obligations.
The program offers an integrated blend of theory and practice and provides a general management emphasis suited to the needs of mid-career executives and experienced professionals. It integrates professional experiences with graduate-level academic management curriculum. It familiarizes students with cutting-edge issues of disciplines in business that encompass management science for managerial decision making. It crystallizes the philosophy and capabilities of experienced professionals and, thus, fosters their professional growth. The courses of the program are sequenced to assure continuity in learning. The functionally integrated curriculum provides opportunity for gaining cross-functional skills and knowledge.
The program includes a cohort online class structure that offers a lockstep, planned curriculum for mid-career executives. The students of each cohort begin the program at the same point, move through the curriculum together, and complete the degree requirements for graduation at the same time. Executive MBA students are required to complete their degrees in two years. During that period, they gain a wide range of new skills and sharpen their analytical abilities by combining coursework with day-to-day professional experience. A unique aspect of the EMBA program is the collective professional experience of its participants, which greatly enriches the educational environment. EMBA students possess several years of significant, post-baccalaureate professional experience. Most students continue to work full-time while enrolled in the program.
Contact information
Kambiz Raffiee
Associate Dean and Program Director
College of Business
Ansari Business Building, Room 409
raffiee@unr.edu
(775) 682-9142
Christie Chaump
EMBA Graduate Programs Coordinator
College of Business
Ansari Business Building, Room 409
cchaump@unr.edu
(775) 682-9140
The EMBA program will teach executive leadership by integration of knowledge, skills, and experience. The EMBA program is oriented towards managerial skills in problem identification and analysis, and application of managerial skills to discovery of alternative solutions. The program encourages application of theoretical solutions to real world business problems. The objectives of the program are for the graduates to lead organizations; apply knowledge in new and unfamiliar circumstances through a conceptual understanding of relevant disciplines; and to adapt and innovate, solve problems, cope with unforeseen events, and manage in unpredictable environments.
Specifically, the learning objectives and outcomes of the program are the following:
- The ability to use evidence-based reasoning to understand, manage, and lead complex organizations.
- Development of skills that facilitate problem solving in a complex and dynamic environment.
- The ability to integrate qualitative and quantitative information into the decision making process.
The EMBA program is open to those who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution. Any undergraduate major is acceptable. In addition, the following are the minimum standards required for admission to the EMBA in the College of Business:
- The applicant must have an overall grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
- The applicant must have five or more years of professional work experience beyond undergraduate studies.
- International students must have a minimum TOEFL score of 550 or above (paper-based test) or 79 or above (internet based TOEFL). For IELTS, you must have a score of 6.5 or above. The minimum score for Duoling is 105. The TOEFL is waived for students who have completed degree programs conducted in English in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia or New Zealand.
The primary concern for admission is a candidate’s fitness for graduate study and promise of effective business performance. A judgment of these qualities is made from the following information:
- Undergraduate record
- Letters of recommendation
- Written personal statement indicating the candidate’s educational and career objectives
- Applicant’s resume detailing professional experience
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in oral and written communication in English. To fulfill the written communication requirement, applicants must submit a written statement indicating their educational and career objectives, along with other writing samples the applicant may wish to have considered.
To apply to the EMBA program, submit the following to the UNR Graduate School through the application portal:
- A completed online Application for Admission
- Official transcripts from each college or university where work has been completed
- A current detailed resume
- A two-page personal statement indicating the applicant’s educational and career objectives, and
- Two letters of recommendation on company or department letterhead
- International students must submit English exam scores if your educational history is from a non-English speaking country. International student admission requirements.
All admission applications and credentials must be received on or before June 1 to be considered for the fall semester. Applications received earlier than June 1 may be reviewed and accepted before the deadline. The EMBA Admissions Committee reviews all applications and makes admissions decisions.
The online Executive MBA program is a lockstep program that is designed to be completed in 2 years. All coursework must be completed within six years preceding the awarding of the degree. (See Leave of Absence for more details.)
Given the importance of information technology in delivery of courses of the online EMBA program, successful applicants should:
- Be proficient operating in an online environment (e.g. a current and active LinkedIn profile).
- Have access to computer technologies that will allow them to interact with others online (e.g. webcam and microphone).
- Be proficient with MS Excel, PowerPoint, and other MS Office or related business productivity software packages.
The program includes a cohort of 12 online courses in a lockstep, planned curriculum for a total of 36 units. The
students of each cohort begin the program at the same point, move through the curriculum together, and
complete the degree requirements for graduation at the same time in two (2) years. Learn more about the degree requirements on the University course catalog.
First Year
Fall
- BADM 710 - Financial Reporting and Analysis (3 units)
- BADM 720 - Management and Organizational Science (3 units)
Spring
- BADM 700 - Statistics for Decision Making (3 units)
- BADM 760 - Marketing Management (3 units)
Summer
- BADM 730 - Economics of the Firm (3 units)
- BADM 741 - Financial Management (3 units)
Second Year
Fall
- BADM 701 - Production / Operations Management (3 units)
- BADM 728 - Managing Organizations in a Global Economy (3 units)
Spring
- BADM 750 - Information and Communications Technology in Organizations (3 units)
- BADM 781 - Strategic Management for Executives (3 units)
Summer
- BADM 711 - Seminar in Managerial Accounting (3 units)
- BADM 772 - Changing Environments of Business (3 units)
Visit the Graduate School website for full details on the academic standing and dismissal policy.
Tuition for the EMBA program is $30,000, payable in installments of $5,000 each semester. Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state residents. Due to the nature of the online program, Graduate Assistantships are not available for the EMBA program.
The online Executive MBA program is a lockstep program that does not allow transfer credits.
Students enrolled in the EMBA program are ineligible for UNR student health insurance.
Continuous Enrollment
To maintain “good standing” all graduate students are required to enroll in a minimum of three (3) graduate credits each fall and spring semester until they graduate.
Leave of Absence
Students in good standing may request a leave of absence by completing a Leave of Absence form during which time they are not required to maintain continuous registration. Usually, a leave of absence is approved for one or two semesters. The leave of absence request may be extended by the student filing an additional leave of absence form. Students applying for a leave of absence should not have any “incomplete” grades which could be changed to “F” and have a detrimental impact on their cumulative GPA. Requests for leave of absences must be received by the Graduate School no later than the last day of enrollment for the semester the leave is to begin.
Reinstatement
When a student has been absent for one semester or more without an approved leave of absence, he or she may request reinstatement via the Reinstatement Form. This form allows the program the option to recommend the student be re-admitted to their graduate program based on their previous admission OR require the student to reapply for admission, which would require students to submit a new application for admission and pay the application fee. The Notice of Reinstatement to Graduate Standing must be received by the Graduate School no later than the last day of enrollment for the semester the reinstatement is to begin.
Students who take a leave of absence from the EMBA will resume coursework in sequence with a different cohort. Students who are reinstated will pay the current rate of tuition and not the rate of tuition that they paid when they started the program.
The Graduate Student Association represents all graduate students and promotes the welfare and interests of the graduate students at the University of Nevada, Reno. The GSA works closely with appropriate university administrative offices, including the Graduate School and Student Services and reports to the President of the University. The GSA government functions through the Council of Representatives, Executive Council and established committees.
The following forms are required to be submitted to the graduate school with deadlines specified. Note: all links are subject to change. Please refer to the Graduate School Website for up to date information.
The EMBA Coordinator will complete and submit the following on behalf of the student:
Executive MBA students must complete the following forms:
- Graduation Application on MyNEVADA. Must be submitted to the graduate school several weeks in advance. Check website for exact dates.
- Exit Survey Form
The Declaration of Advisor/Major Advisor/Committee Chair Form is not required by the Executive MBA program.
Please refer to the Student Resources page for all forms available from The Graduate School.
A portion of program fees may be used to pay hosting expenses.