Diverse group of Executive MBA students having a group discussion.

Executive MBA - Minneapolis

Move your career forward at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School with one of the best Executive MBA programs in the country. Make deep connections with the diverse and talented leaders who are your peers as you earn your Executive Master of Business Administration. 

  • 40% of EMBA graduates received a promotion within one year
  • Hybrid options available
  • #10 Best U.S. Executive MBA programs (Poets&Quants 2021)
  • New scholarships available
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Executive MBA Program at a Glance

As an Executive MBA student, you will embark on a rigorous course of study that will help you build critical skills in the building blocks of business, with a focus on strategy and leadership. Your professional experiences enrich the learning environment and provide the foundation for a lasting network of EMBA friends and colleagues, all through the program’s dedicated cohort model.

Flexibility for working professionals

Each class moves through the 2-year program together as a cohort, a model that current students and alumni routinely cite as one of the most valuable aspects of their experience. Classes are held Fridays and Saturdays, typically on alternate weekends, and do not meet during the summer.

All of the EMBA classes will be taught on campus and in person, but we are proud to also offer a hybrid option for synchronous online participation, allowing students to take more control over their classes and the journey of obtaining their degree.

start date
Start date
August orientation
(Fall semester)
duration
Duration
20 months (from orientation
to graduation)
format
On-campus and hybrid options available
work experience
Work experience
Average 14.5 years
experience (minimum 6
years required) 
MBA Commencement Celebration

Forge relationships to last a lifetime 

In the Executive MBA program, you'll join a cohort of experienced professionals who span dozens of industries. This will help you build the skills and knowledge to achieve your full leadership potential and accelerate your career. The close ties you form—to classmates, faculty, alumni, and staff—will keep you connected to some of the brightest business minds and key executives, many Fortune 500 companies, and beyond. Opportunities also abound outside the classroom to build your network, community, and social life. 

Plus, you'll be able to focus on learning while our dedicated team takes care of everything else. From getting your books to enrolling you in classes, the Carlson School’s Executive MBA program is here to help you succeed.

A typical class profile:

  • Approximately 40 students per cohort
  • 39 is the average age
  • 35% Students of Color
  • 18% Military or Veteran

 

Join the community

CEMBA Global Virtual Team

A curriculum beyond the classroom

You'll learn from faculty who are conducting groundbreaking business research and are recognized leaders in their fields. You'll develop strategic capabilities and problem-solving skills you can translate from the classroom directly to the workplace. You’ll examine complex management challenges with a truly global focus—including a nine-day study abroad experience and the Global Team Project, where you’ll bring everything together with students from the Carlson Global Executive MBA Programs in Austria and China.

 

View the curriculum

MBA Commencement

An ROI you can count on

The Carlson School Executive MBA is an investment for life that pays immediate dividends for you and your organization. You'll develop a broad, cross-functional perspective that prepares you as a leader who is ready to keep your organization competitive in a changing marketplace. The Graduate Business Career Center (GBCC) will get you there through a variety of student services and programs that help you on every step of your journey. 

  • 40% Received Increased Job Duties due to participation in the program
  • 20% Average Salary Increase start to finish of Executive MBA program

 

Career Resources

An Investment in Your Future

An MBA is one of the best investments you can make. Increase your earning power, expand your network, and connect with companies here in Minnesota and around the world.

Merit-based scholarships available

The University of Minnesota's Executive MBA program is proud to offer new scholarships to well-qualified applicants. May 15 is the priority application deadline for Fall 2023 scholarship consideration.

$64,920/year

Tuition for the cohort entering in fall 2022. The comprehensive fee also covers books, other class materials, laptop and software for the program, meals, parking, some costs for the two immersion weeks, and some costs of the international residency. 

Talking to your employer

We know that pursuing a graduate degree is a significant investment and if you’re looking to build your personalized case for sponsorship, review some of our tips and even download sample sponsorship request document to guide your strategy.

Christian Edwards
The Carlson School of Management Executive MBA program really stretched me intellectually, while providing an environment for me to excel. I know the Carlson School EMBA was the right choice for me and I know my experience will benefit me for the remainder of my career.
– Christian Edwards, ‘22 Executive MBA, Senior Global Pricing Strategic Program Manager, Medtronic
Kyle Burkhardt
I didn’t understand when I started how close-knit all of us were really going to be at the end of this. There’s going to be people that I am definitely friends for life with and the whole class, I would never hesitate to reach out to any of them if I had a question about their area of expertise.
– Kyle Burkhardt, '20 Executive MBA, Vice President, Club Strategy & Business Intelligence, Major League Soccer

Take the next step

While applications are accepted year-round and processed on an individual basis, the following are target deadlines for the Carlson School Executive Master of Business Administration program. We process Executive MBA applications on a rolling basis, which means that once your application is complete, you'll receive your decision quickly—typically within a week. 

Application Deadlines

  • December 31 
  • May 15 (Spring)
    Priority application deadline for Fall 2023 scholarship consideration
  • July 15 (Final)
Jacquelyn Wingfield

Stay Connected

If you have questions about the Executive MBA program, please contact Jacquelyn Wingfield.

Contact Executive MBA