Are you working professional in the Los Angeles metro who want to really start to climb the corporate ladder? Do you have significant managerial experience, but want to really take the next step and assume a leading roles in your organizations. Then an Executive MBA (EMBA) may be what you’re looking for. EMBA classes are typically offered every other or every third weekend, ensuring that those enrolled in these programs don’t miss much, if any, work.
With plenty of flexible learning options and study abroad opportunities, Los Angeles is home to some of the nation’s top EMBA programs. Here’s a list of what the area has to offer:
LA Executive MBA Programs
Anderson School of Management – UCLA
Founded as the College of Business Administration in 1935, the school initially taught vocational business skills, such as typing, shorthand and penmanship, to people who would be teaching others. In 1936, the school earned national accreditation, and in 1939, the MBA degree was authorized. The program was renamed the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA in 1987 in honor of Anderson’s $15 million gift to the program. Today, the school offers a full-time, two year MBA program, as well as a part-time MBA, Executive and Global Executive MBA programs.
The Anderson Executive MBA program is a 22-month program with classes held every other weekend (Friday and Saturday) on campus. The program features four residentials: an opening residential in September, two week-long elective blocks in June and August and a field study residential in January of the second year. Student must also take one international elective. The program also consists of 12 units of electives, available on Thursday evenings and in the summer.
Two different Global MBA programs are also available at Anderson. The UCLA-NUS Global Executive MBA for Asia Pacific Program can be completed part-time in an intensive 15-month program that leads to two MBA degrees: one awarded by the Anderson School of Management and one by NUS Business School in Singapore. The six two-week modules held in four different countries over 15 months are designed to accommodate the demanding schedules of senior working professionals.
Meanwhile the UCLA / Anderson Global Executive MBA allows students to acquire the perspective and expertise they need as global executives, while earning two world-class MBAs from UCLA Anderson and Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI).
Argyros School of Business – Chapman University
Chapman University was founded as Hesperian College in 1861 and was renamed as Chapman College, in honor of its largest donor in 1934. The school became Chapman University in 1991. The Argyros School of Business of Chapman University offers a full-time, professional and Executive MBA.
The Chapman Executive MBA is a lockstep cohort program featuring structured, sequential schedule of classes with a group of peers. The program is 47 credits in duration, and classes meet on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. The program consists of six terms, spanning a total of 21 months. For those who like to travel, the program also includes three residential learning opportunities, located in San Diego, Washington, D.C. and a rotating location in Asia.
Graziadio School of Business and Management – Pepperdine University
Pepperdine’s business school was founded in 1969 by Dr. Donald Sime and launched the first full-time MBA program 19 years later. In 1996, the school was named after benefactor George L. Graziadio. Today, the school offers a traditional two-year full-time MBA, a part-time, Executive and Presidents and Key Executives MBA programs.
The Graziadio EMBA is offered over a 19-month five trimester period, and operates on a cohort structure. Classes meet once every three weeks on the weekend and is offered in southern California, northern California and Dallas campuses. Students get to travel abroad in this program, and have the opportunity to work directly company executives in the host country.
The Presidents and Key Executives MBA kicks the Graziadio Executive MBA up a notch. The program is designed for top-level executives possessing a minimum 10 years’ experience, at least one year of which is in a senior executive position. The program can be completed in 15 months; classes meet approximately once a month for a three-day session. There is one intake of students per year, and classes begin in the fall. The Presidents and Key Executives includes a four-day effective executive workshop, a two-day ethics and law session, a two-day business simulation and an eight-day international session held outside the US.
Loyola Marymount University
Founded in 1911, Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a premier Catholic university rooted in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions. LMU’s College of Business Administration (CBA) was established in 1926. Today, the college offers several undergraduate degree offerings and graduate degree offerings, including an MS in Accounting, MBA and Executive MBA.
The Executive MBA program was designed for small class sizes and focuses on ethics and leadership. The program features a collaborative learning environment, personalized attention, an active alumni network and an international study component. Classes take place only on Saturdays and classes begin in the fall semester, in August.
Marshall School of Business – USC
The Marshall School of Business offers a full-time MBA, part-time MBA, Executive MBA, an Accelerated MBA and an International Business Education and Research MBA. Marshall also partners with Shanghai Jiao Tong University to offer a Global Executive MBA in Shanghai. In addition to the full-time and part-time MBA programs, Marshall offers an Executive, online, IBEAR and Global Executive MBA programs.
The Executive MBA is a 60-credit program featuring an Integrated/lock-step curriculum with two domestic residentials and no elective coursework. The program is generally completed in 22 months. Classes are taken at USC’s University Park Campus in Los Angeles and in San Diego at the La Costa Executive Learning Center in Carlsbad, California. Students registered in this program must also attend an off-site international session.
Marshall’s Global EMBA consists of 13 sessions about once every six weeks where students have the opportunity to study in several global business centers. Most sessions are hosted in Shanghai, but the program also takes students to Los Angeles twice, and also to an ex-China Asia business center. There is one intake per year, and classes begin in May and are completed within 20 months.
Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management – Claremont Graduate University
The Peter F. Drucker & Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management was originally founded in 1971. In 1987 the school was named in honor of Peter Drucker, a pioneer in management theory who helped create one of the first EMBA programs in the United States. In addition to the traditional, full-time MBA, the Drucker School of Management offers a part-time and an Executive MBA.
Drucker EMBA classes are taught in cohorts and students have the option of either taking seven-week courses or 14-week courses. The program is comprised of 48 units of coursework, including 16 units of core courses, eight units of emphasis in Strategy or Leadership courses and 24 units of electives. Students also have several opportunities to study abroad in Prague, China, Costa Rica or New Zealand during spring break. Study abroad courses allow students to partner with graduate students from other disciplines, such as psychology and political science, to develop an understanding of the political, economic, legal and social dimensions of globalization as they impact strategy formulation and international trade.
Stephen M. Ross School of Business – University of Michigan
The Stephen M. Ross School of Business may be located at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, but the school launched its Executive MBA program in Los Angeles in 2012. Those enrolled in the program meet once a month in either Ann Arbor or Los Angeles over 21 months. Each year starts with residencies, and then students spend an average of 20 to 25 hours a week completing online coursework, lectures, case studies, team-based simulations and online exams.
The Paul Merage School of Business – University of California, Irvine
Located about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, the UC Irvine campus is just ten minutes away from the coastal communities of Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. The Paul Merage School of Business offers a full-time, two year MBA program, as well as a part-time MBA, Executive and Healthcare Executive MBA programs.
The UC Irvine Executive MBA features three offsite residential learning experiences. The program is a cohort structure and spans 21 months, culminating in a Capstone Residential course on Executive Leadership. Classes are held in two-day blocks, Fridays and Saturdays on alternating weekends starting at 8:30 a.m.
The UC Irvine Health Care Executive MBA takes the fundamentals of business management and combines that with an understanding of the ever-changing global healthcare industry. Like the regular EMBA, the program is 21 months long and concludes with a Capstone Residential course on Executive Leadership. Classes are held one weekend per month, from Thursday at 7 p.m. to Sunday at 12 p.m. Students attend seven consecutive 10-week quarters, including summer. Students must complete 92 units for the degree, including 12 core courses, as well as additional electives and residentials.