Executive MBA Curriculum

20-Month Executive MBA Program: A Transformative Experience

The Carlson School's top-ranked Executive MBA is a 20-month program designed for ambitious professionals looking to elevate their careers without stepping away from work. This EMBA program will help enhance business acumen, hone leadership skills, and connect you with a powerful professional network. 

Located in Minnesota’s thriving business ecosystem, home to Fortune 500 companies, a dynamic entrepreneurial community, and cross-industry collaboration, the Executive MBA degree program offers a strategic advantage for career growth.

Starting in September, your Executive MBA program follows a structured schedule, including a summer break with no classes, allowing you to balance education with your professional and personal commitments.

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Class Schedule
Fridays & Saturday; 
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
(every other weekend)

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Duration 
20 months

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Format
In-person or synchronously online

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Total Credits 
52.5

What You’ll Learn in Executive MBA Courses

With a total of 52.5 credits, the Carlson Executive MBA curriculum is tailored specifically for experienced professionals to give you the knowledge and skills needed to lead in pivotal areas such as strategic leadership and talent and team development.  Executive MBA courses are focused in the following areas: 

  • Foundation Competencies
  • Core Function of the Organization
  • Leading Through People
  • The Executive Experience
  • Experiential Learning, which includes our unique Global Team Project
     

Year 1: Complete a comprehensive study of core EMBA courses that cover the basic functions and tools of business.

Year 2: Explore a broader business context, develop the ability to deal with complex management challenges, and gain a deeper global perspective.

Get all the program logistics sorted and get to know your cohort during EMBA orientation. You’ll learn about the services available and receive all the essential information you need to start the year, such as picking up your laptop and first-semester course materials.

  • DEI Workshop - Year 1 & 2
  • Financial Accounting Prep - Year 1
  • Statistics Prep - Year 1
  • Carlson Business Career Center Orientation - Year 1

Kick-off each new academic year with 4 days of classes, workshops, and social events while lodging near campus with your classmates and truly immersing yourself in the Executive MBA program. 

  • Managing Across Cultures Workshop - Year 1
  • Executive Perspectives Session - Year 1 & 2

Fall Semester

Course NumberTitleRequired or ElectiveCredits
CMBA 5838Financial AccountingRequired1.5
CMBA 5844Organizational BehaviorRequired3
CMBA 5839Management of TeamsRequired1.5
CMBA 5842Marketing ManagementRequired3
CMBA 5843Data Driven Decision MakingRequired3
CMBA 5845Executive PerspectivesRequired0.375
CMBA 5846Executive Leadership InsightsRequired0.75

 

Spring Semester

Course NumberTitleRequired or ElectiveCredits
CMBA 5847Strategic ManagementRequired3
CMBA 5848Financial ManagementRequired3
CMBA 5849Supply Chain & OperationsRequired3
CMBA 5851EconomicsRequired1.5
CMBA 5852Human Capital ManagementRequired1.5
CMBA 5845Executive PerspectivesRequired0.375
CMBA 5846Executive Leadership InsightsRequired0.75

Fall Semester

Course NumberTitleRequired or ElectiveCredits
CMBA 5856Ethics & Corporate ResponsibilityRequired1.5
CMBA 5853Negotiation StrategiesRequired3
CMBA 5854Managerial AccountingRequired3
CMBA 5855Competing GloballyRequired1.5
CMBA 5861Customer Centric MarketingRequired3
CMBA 5845Executive PerspectivesRequired0.375
CMBA 5846Executive Leadership InsightsRequired0.75

 

Spring Semester

Course NumberTitleRequired or ElectiveCredits
CMBA 5857Corporate StrategyRequired3
CMBA 5862Competing in the Digital AgeRequired1.5
CMBA 5863Entrepreneurship & InnovationRequired1.5
CMBA 5864Power & InfluenceRequired1.5
CMBA 5865Business LawRequired1.5
CMBA 5845Executive PerspectivesRequired0.375
CMBA 5846Executive Leadership InsightsRequired0.75
CMBA 5866International ResidencyRequired1.5
CMBA 5867Global Team Project (GTP)Required1.5

Get all the program logistics sorted and get to know your cohort during EMBA orientation. You’ll learn about the services available and receive all the essential information you need to start the year, such as picking up your laptop and first-semester course materials.

  • DEI Workshop - Year 1 & 2
  • Financial Accounting Prep - Year 1
  • Statistics Prep - Year 1
  • Carlson Business Career Center Orientation - Year 1

Kick-off each new academic year with 4 days of classes, workshops, and social events while lodging near campus with your classmates and truly immersing yourself in the Executive MBA program. 

  • Managing Across Cultures Workshop - Year 1
  • Executive Perspectives Session - Year 1 & 2

Fall Semester

Course NumberTitleRequired or ElectiveCredits
CMBA 5838Financial AccountingRequired1.5
CMBA 5844Organizational BehaviorRequired3
CMBA 5839Management of TeamsRequired1.5
CMBA 5842Marketing ManagementRequired3
CMBA 5843Data Driven Decision MakingRequired3
CMBA 5845Executive PerspectivesRequired0.375
CMBA 5846Executive Leadership InsightsRequired0.75

 

Spring Semester

Course NumberTitleRequired or ElectiveCredits
CMBA 5847Strategic ManagementRequired3
CMBA 5848Financial ManagementRequired3
CMBA 5849Supply Chain & OperationsRequired3
CMBA 5851EconomicsRequired1.5
CMBA 5852Human Capital ManagementRequired1.5
CMBA 5845Executive PerspectivesRequired0.375
CMBA 5846Executive Leadership InsightsRequired0.75

Fall Semester

Course NumberTitleRequired or ElectiveCredits
CMBA 5856Ethics & Corporate ResponsibilityRequired1.5
CMBA 5853Negotiation StrategiesRequired3
CMBA 5854Managerial AccountingRequired3
CMBA 5855Competing GloballyRequired1.5
CMBA 5861Customer Centric MarketingRequired3
CMBA 5845Executive PerspectivesRequired0.375
CMBA 5846Executive Leadership InsightsRequired0.75

 

Spring Semester

Course NumberTitleRequired or ElectiveCredits
CMBA 5857Corporate StrategyRequired3
CMBA 5862Competing in the Digital AgeRequired1.5
CMBA 5863Entrepreneurship & InnovationRequired1.5
CMBA 5864Power & InfluenceRequired1.5
CMBA 5865Business LawRequired1.5
CMBA 5845Executive PerspectivesRequired0.375
CMBA 5846Executive Leadership InsightsRequired0.75
CMBA 5866International ResidencyRequired1.5
CMBA 5867Global Team Project (GTP)Required1.5

Executive MBA Curriculum & Faculty

The Carlson School Executive MBA (EMBA) faculty and curriculum prepare students to succeed and lead in their careers.

Sit in on a class to experience the EMBA program for yourself. Learn more and sign up for a visit.

How You'll Learn

Move through the Carlson School Executive MBA degree with a diverse cohort, gaining rich insights from professionals across industries while fostering collaboration and teamwork—critical skills for today’s dynamic workplace.

  • Alternate weekend classes – Attend Executive MBA classes Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., primarily on alternate weekends, with some back-to-back sessions each semester. Plus, enjoy complimentary breakfast, lunch, and snacks to keep you energized throughout the day.
  • HyFlex learning – Experience the best of both worlds with the option to attend in-person classes or join live online sessions, ensuring flexibility for travel, illness, or unexpected conflicts.
  • Collaborative study teams – Each year, you’ll join a new study group designed to broaden your perspective and expand your network. These teams bring together diverse backgrounds, industries, and global experiences, enriching your learning journey.

Balancing Work, School, and Life

The Carlson School Executive MBA provides unmatched flexibility, offering both in-person and live online classes. This hybrid format of Executive MBA courses allows you to adapt your learning experience to fit your lifestyle—without compromising on engagement or quality.

EMBA Program Highlights

Seize what’s next. Apply today.

Executive MBA Curriculum Frequently Asked Questions

The Carlson Executive MBA program is delivered as a lock-step, cohort program, which means your schedule of courses is predetermined and you go through the entire program with the same group of students (your cohort).

Many, if not most, of our Executive MBA students travel for work, and our faculty are aware of the tensions and challenges in balancing a busy career with graduate study. Policies and standards vary by professor. Our faculty members are as flexible as possible about issues regarding professional travel. You should work directly with your instructors to work out such issues. If you do need to miss class for travel or any other reason, you should immediately contact your professor, along with your study team members. You are encouraged to attend Executive MBA classes via the HyFlex method on Zoom when you cannot attend in person and review any videos after the fact if you cannot attend virtually.

The Carlson Executive MBA program has a strategic management focus, with an understanding of the global environment and a focus on leadership development of self and others. In the first year of the program, you will complete a series of MBA core courses, which cover the basic functions and tools of business. In year 2, each EMBA course will help you explore the broader context of business and develop the ability to deal with complex management challenges, as well as develop a deeper global perspective.

The general guideline is that you will spend 2 times the amount of class time on assigned readings and team projects outside of the classroom, which means approximately 15-20 hours per week.

Take Your Next Step

Take your career to the next level with an EMBA.

Contact Executive MBA