Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business, Executive MBA

The Penn State Smeal Executive MBA features an extensive curriculum tailored with content that can be immediately applicable to your current role, and a leadership development program that provides you with a personal executive coach. The 17-month program is delivered on alternating weekends at the Chubb Hotel & Conference Center in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania. The Smeal EMBA Program is taught by the same faculty who teach in the residential MBA program, and it places you in an interactive environment alongside other high caliber peers. The Smeal EMBA program was recently redesigned to offer more flexibility to students while maintaining its high academic standards. Changes include an expanded intensive core curriculum, providing a concentration in Executive Leadership & Strategy, offering two optional electives, and the opportunity to pursue an online specialty certificate. The program begins with a review session in July and orientation in early August before embarking on the core curriculum and electives over a span of 17 months up until its conclusion in December of the following year. Typical classes are held half-day Friday and all-day Saturday. The first 12 months of the program’s curriculum concentrates on three fundamental areas: Principled Leadership, Strategic Analysis, and Financial Management. Over the remaining five months, you’ll develop your business skills further by taking on an entrepreneurship elective and/or a weeklong overseas immersion. The entrepreneurship elective helps turn your business concept into reality through classroom learning and one-on-one coaching. The global immersion elective will sharpen your international focus and help you gain a unique perspective on a range of critical business topics. The program’s leadership development course includes 3 unique elements: 360-Degree Assessment, Executive coaching, and Intensive Communications Training. Following graduation, students who desire further specialization have three years to complete a Smeal online graduate certificate.