The Wharton EMBA program is one of my favorite executive programs for a whole host of reasons. Why do I like it so much? Below, I summarize some distinctive aspects about it.
Important for those of you who are located on the west coast of the USA, the Wharton Executive MBA program is offered in two locations: Philadelphia and San Francisco. Also known as Wharton West, the new San Francisco campus is the result of a strategic push by the school to extend its reach and alumni network on the West Coast. Both locations offer state-of-the-art facilities at either Huntsman Hall on the University of Pennsylvania campus or the Embarcadero Center in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district (Wharton West).
The EMBA program is structured similarly to the full-time program. EMBA students spend the first year taking the same core curriculum as full-time students and the second year taking electives across 11 academic departments. The faculty that teach full-time students also teach the EMBAs, giving EMBA students access to the same teaching quality and cutting-edge academic research. EMBAs receive the same leadership development and training as full-time students, have access to the same career resources and alumni network, and are conferred the same degree, leading to what the school calls a truly “undiluted” experience. Many of the innovative elements that distinguish Wharton as one of the best business schools in the world are incorporated into the EMBA curriculum, including the cohort system, learning team, leadership course, and experiential and simulation-based programs. For example, Professor Michael Useem teaches a popular Leadership Development Workshop based on the battle of Gettysburg each year to both MBA and EMBAs. In keeping with Wharton’s tradition towards developing global business leaders, EMBAs are also expected to complete a one week International Study Seminar abroad before graduation. Students have taken global seminars in locations such as China, Russia, Brazil, Australia, and Mexico.
Unlike the full-time program, EMBAs do not declare a major but take a diverse set of course offerings to both broaden and deepen their business knowledge as general managers. Each EMBA class votes on 25 elective classes out of 200 offerings, and students are expected to take 8 electives of their choosing prior to graduation, with the option to complete some coursework through Independent Study. With roughly 200 students per year, the EMBA class is much smaller than the full-time program and allows for a truly immersive academic experience.
The EMBA program begins in May each year and lasts two years. Students attend classes on alternate Friday and Saturdays for three terms a year. Admission is highly competitive and application requirements are similar to the full-time program. For the latest EMBA class, the average GMAT score was 700 and the average work experience was 10 years. The deadline to apply is early February of each year.