FAQs
EXECUTIVE MBA Participants
benefit most if they are in a management position that allows them to apply the knowledge and skills they develop in the program.
General Questions
- How does the Executive MBA differ from the traditional MBA program?
- How could an Executive MBA impact my career?
- Who participates in the program?
- "What type of commitment is involved?
Qualifications
- "Who is a good candidate for an Executive MBA?
- "I've taken graduate business courses at another university. Can I use them to shorten my time at UNO?
- "I do not come from a business background. Will I have difficulty with the curriculum?
Admissions Process
- When during the year does the program begin, and when should I apply?
- How competitive is the admission process?
- What support will I need from my employer?
- Is the GMAT test required for admission?
Tuition and Financial Aid
- What is the cost of the program and when are payments due?
- Where do I get information about financial aid?
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General Questions
How does the Executive MBA differ from the traditional MBA program?
Executive MBA participants continue to work while they study and are generally older and more experienced and mature.
Participants enter the program as a cohort (group) and learn together through the course of the program. Personal interaction in the classroom and in study groups is considered critical to the learning experience.
Executive MBA programs offer 'executive-level' support for students, including staff support, meals, and other amenities, so participants with busy schedules can focus on learning. This means that you won't stand in line to buy your textbooks - they will be delivered right to you. This also means that you won't have to worry about not getting the classes you need. The Executive MBA office takes care of everything for you!
How could an Executive MBA degree impact my career?
An MBA degree reflects a sophisticated level of knowledge and skills concerning a broad range of management topics. It also implies a well-developed understanding of strategic thinking and planning in a globally competitive world. Professionally, an MBA provides the skills needed to catapult your career into top management positions.
The Executive MBA alumni network will also be a great resource for you during your time in the program and long after graduation. Networking opportunities are available throughout the year, allowing you to expand your "people-base" professionally and personally. Return on Investment
Who participates in the program?
A diverse group of professionals from varied personal and professional backgrounds enter and complete the program. What they share is a sincere desire to grow professionally and a willingness and ability to meet program time and course requirements. Most classes have an average of 14 years of experience, including an average of 7 years of managerial experience.
"What type of time commitment is involved?
Executive MBA participants find themselves exhilarated to be back in the classroom among their professional and intellectual peers, where they can share the challenge of learning new methods and means for managing the business of doing business. Success in professional life demands a substantial and regular time commitment, and it is no different in the Executive MBA program. Over the course of the program, participants can expect to spend 20 to 25 hours per week for some combination of classroom work, individual and group study, e-mail and internet-based information research, and other course assignments. Added to the already heavy demands of a business career, the time involved in pursuing an Executive MBA is considerable and requires a high level of motivation and commitment. The burden is eased by the support of other students and by the assistance of the Executive MBA support staff. Home-Work-School Balance
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Qualifications
Who is a good candidate for an Executive MBA?
Educational Background: The educational background of successful Executive MBA candidates varies widely. You must have earned a bachelor's degree in some discipline. A number of participants will have already earned graduate or professional degrees in fields other than business administration, such as engineering, computer science, law or medicine. A small but significant number may have Ph.D. s or M.D.s.
Work Experience: Because the Executive MBA relies heavily on the experience of participants enrolled in the program, prior work history is an important factor in the admissions process. Whatever your prior employment, a record of significant achievement is a good indicator of your ability to succeed in the program. Typical applicants have at least six years of professional-level work experience, preferably including positions with management responsibility.
Current Employment: Executive MBA participants benefit most if they are in a position that allows them to apply the knowledge and skills they develop in the classroom. Unless they are self-employed, participants most often require the support of an employer in one form or another. Support from a sponsor - typically a top manager or executive - is critical. Executive MBA participants must arrange release time for classes and may receive financial support from their employers. Sponsoring companies often use Executive MBA programs as part of their management development or succession planning programs.
Career Goals: It is important to define how you expect to use the knowledge and skills you will develop in the program to further your career goals. Are there specific job opportunities within your company or industry that an Executive MBA would help you qualify for? Do you plan to start your own business? Understanding how an Executive MBA will help you achieve your specific goals will give you confidence in committing to a rigorous program and position you as a successful candidate for admission. Admissions
I've taken graduate business courses at another university. Can I use them to shorten my time at UNO?
Due to the lock-step schedule and course content, graduate business courses previously completed may not be used as substitutes for the main course curriculum. However, with approval, they may be used for up to six elective credits. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
I do not come from a business background. Will I have difficulty with the curriculum?
Typically 70% of the participants have other than business related undergraduate degrees. The Executive MBA Boot Camp is a self-study, non-credit prequel to the program, which serves to reintroduce students to the practices of academic study and provides leveling foundation knowledge in the core business disciplines. Once you are officially admitted into the program, Boot Camp materials are delivered to you. Boot Camp
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Admissions Process
When during the year does the program begin and when should I apply?
A new Executive MBA class begins the last weekend in June. For the class beginning in June 2012, all application materials must be received by June 1, 2012. Completed applications are considered in the order they are received. The size of the incoming class is limited to 30 participants, therefore you are encouraged to start the application process as early as possible. Once admitted into the program, a non-refundable $1,000 deposit will be required to guarantee your seat and will be applied towards your first quarterly invoice.
How competitive is the admission process?
In evaluating candidates, we consider many factors: work experience, current employment, prior education, ability to benefit, and ability to contribute. You will be asked to submit an application (including a statement outlining your objectives in taking the program), academic transcripts, a statement of support from your employer, and if required, standardized test scores. A personal interview has also been added to assess whether or not you are prepared for the program and can expect to benefit from it at this point in your career.
What support will I need from my employer?
Our program requires that you obtain an explicit statement of support from your employer as a condition of admission. When you apply, your employer must agree to release time to allow you to participate in scheduled classes and international travel.
You may also use this requirement as an opportunity to seek financial support from your employer from part or all of the cost of the program. Sometimes students will tap existing tuition reimbursement plans or education allowances to cover the tuition. In other cases, employers will make special arrangements to cover all or some of the costs as part of your compensation package, as part of a professional development plan or executive succession plan. In still other cases, students will assume responsibility for covering all of the costs on their own.
Is the GMAT test required for admission?
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) will be required if you do not meet one of the following criteria:
- You possess an advanced degree (master's, doctorate, etc.) from an accredited U.S. college or university; or foreign equivalent; or
- Your grade point average (GPA) for all your junior and senior level courses is 3.0 or higher on a four point scale. Candidate with undergraduate degrees from institutions offering accelerated degree completion or granting credit for life/work experience may be required to take the GMAT regardless of undergraduate GPA.
Any candidate for admission is welcome to take the GMAT and submit their scores for consideration if they feel the other selection elements - transcripts, resume, Statement of Objectives, etc - will not adequately reflect their ability to complete a rigorous graduate education program.
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Tuition and Financial Aid
What is the cost of the program and when are payments due?
The total cost of the 2012-2013 Executive MBA Program is $43,500. This cost covers all tuition and university fees, required textbooks and other course materials, special events, on-campus parking, one catered meal per class meeting, up to two weeks of international travel, and project research expenses.
Tuition is billed in six quarterly installments of $7,250. The first payment will be invoiced in August of 2012. Subsequent payments will be invoiced in November 2012, February 2013, May 2013, August 2013, and November 2013.
Where do I get information about financial aid?
Many Executive MBA participants receive financial support from their employer.. For those who must pay for part or al of the program, low-cost, long-term Stafford loans are available through the UNO Financial Aid office. Visit http:www.ses.unomaha.edu/finaid/ for valuable information on loan and scholarship opportunities.
