The College's Executive MBA program is an accelerated way for experienced professionals to earn their master of business administration degree on a fast-paced schedule created to fit around their growing career responsibilities.

The program began in 1994 to meet the needs of busy executives unable to pursue a graduate degree full time or to take night classes for four years. With classes that meet only on weekends, the option allows students to earn a graduate degree in 19 months with maximum flexibility to work around their business and travel schedules.

The program offers several features tailored to the needs of working professionals, including:

• A self-contained curriculum that emphasizes both practicality and quality;
  
  
• Classes scheduled on Friday evenings and all day Saturdays;
  
  
• Interaction with classmates and faculty, who share both business experience and academic credentials;
  
  
• A format that stresses real-world relevance by making use of students' experience, hearing from guest speakers and highlighting the latest information technologies; and
  
  
• Students--no more than 35 in each session--who have at least five years of professional business experience and who stay together for the entire program, developing teamwork and leadership skills.

"The Executive MBA program was rewarding," says Joy Evans, who graduated in 2001 while working as a product manager for the DuPont Co. "The diversity of business knowledge and backgrounds of my classmates allowed us to learn from one another, as well as from the professors."

Students complete 16 three-credit courses designed to develop skills in accounting, economics, finance, operations and marketing. The program also includes such topics as leadership and problem-solving skills, global awareness and ethical considerations.

Since the Executive MBA program began, six classes have graduated. The number of alumni totals 155.