Executive MBA

Frequently Asked Questions

EMBA FAQ

1. What is the Drexel Executive MBA (EMBA) program?
2. What is unique about the Drexel Executive MBA Program besides the schedule?
3. How much time does the program require?
4. Who teaches in the Drexel Executive MBA?
5. Who is eligible for admission?
6. How much computer experience do I need?
7. Why is the tuition higher than that for a traditional MBA?
8. Do I receive an Executive MBA or an MBA degree?
9. How do participants pay for the program? Is financial aid available?
10. Is it difficult to return to school after being out of school for so many years?
11. Can I discuss the program with someone before I apply?
12. Should I take the GMAT? What is an acceptable score?
13. How will an MBA degree affect my career?
14. Will I be able to concentrate in a specific business area?
15. Do I need to be sponsored by my company?

The Drexel Executive MBA is LeBow's accelerated and integrated program designed to help experienced professionals leverage valuable work experience to maximize leadership potential. Executive MBA students complete their degree in a convenient weekend format:

The Executive MBA: classes meet one Friday and two Saturdays (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) a month, in an alternating format and students complete their degree in 20 months.

What you will gain:

During your participation in the Executive MBA Program, you will gain a wide range of new skills and increased analytical abilities that will assist you in immediately applying the tools learned in classes to work related problems.

The LeBow Executive MBA is a fully accredited program by the AACSB, one of only 425 schools to have earned this distinction.

A strong focus on leadership, technology, and professional networking. Our programs are cohorted, designed for learning within a small group of fellow students who begin and complete the program together. Students actively learn from faculty, as well as fellow classmates. The Executive MBA Program focuses on developing leaders through teamwork and leveraging the class' experience. You will also benefit from your new relationships and connection to the business community. Networking for executives is a crucial part of the Executive MBA experience and connecting with the right people is even more important.

The curriculum is distinct from that of a traditional MBA, which emphasizes knowledge a practitioner needs; the EMBA Program focuses on what decision makers need to know.

The Drexel Executive MBA Program is closely aligned with the needs of students and the business community and centers around five relevant and comprehensive modules: Enterprise Management, Advanced Functional Core, Technology Management, Strategic Leadership and Global Management.

The program completes in 20 months.

The Drexel Executive MBA Program requires a considerable time commitment. You should expect to spend between 12 and 20 hours on schoolwork in addition to the one day of class per week. Time spent outside of class varies depending on the term, class assignments, and background knowledge.

Faculty are chosen from among most highly read and respected business educators internationally, who teach in Drexel University's LeBow College of Business. They are pioneers, incorporating the latest business and technological advances in textbooks that are used at hundreds of universities worldwide.

Many of LeBow's professors are current or former executives or consultants with Fortune 500 companies, enabling them to blend academic and corporate environments. They offer a unique combination of theoretical knowledge and management practice that translates into day-to-day practicality.

A very diverse group of people earn a Drexel Executive MBA. What they share is a sincere desire to succeed in business by obtaining an MBA and a willingness to work hard toward achieving that goal.
Participants have a minimum of seven to ten years of business or professional experience. Average years of work experience is 16 years. Program participants represent all types of organizations, from major corporations to small entrepreneurial ventures. Both the private and public sectors are represented, as well as individuals with careers in professions such as medicine, engineering, science, or law.

Personal computers are used as a tool to aid learning in the Drexel Executive MBA program.. You are required to have your own personal computer and access to the internet for use in the program.

Drexel's Executive MBA is designed for the working professional. As such, the University provides a premium level of service in terms of faculty, facilities and support staff. Tuition is all-inclusive and includes registration, books, parking, even your meals while in class. The international retreat--including travel and lodging--is also included in tuition.
Every aspect of our program is convenient. We handle everything from registration to buying your textbooks, allowing your entire focus to be on class work. The cost is reasonable in comparison to the quality and the benefits the program yields an investment in learning and an investment in your career and future. The current tuition for Executive MBA programs is $74,000.

We are proud that the Drexel MBA is one of the most comprehensive programs in the Philadelphia area. Our curriculum is a full 51 credits and is the same MBA degree irrespective of the program you choose. Upon graduation, you will earn an AACSB-accredited MBA degree from Drexel University, the recognized standard in management education and a key to success in the business world.

Approximately 30 percent of participants receive full tuition support from their employers. Twenty-five percent receive partial support from their employers for tuition. The remaining participants pay their own tuition. Traditional graduate financial aid is available to U.S. citizens in the form of loans from the U.S. government or private lenders. In addition the LeBow College of Business offers merit-based, Drexel Alumni and professional scholarships.

The time demands of the program require all participants to make adjustments in their lives. Typically, most Drexel Executive MBA participants have been out of school for 10 to 15 years. Therefore, all members of the class face similar challenges. The student study groups play a critical role of support during the program. The Drexel Executive MBA is designed to allow students to concentrate their time on academic matters while program staffs focus on the administrative aspects of the program.

You are encouraged to contact the program director prior to starting the application process. Program staffs are available to answer questions and discuss the program. Please contact us at 215-895-0314 or emba@drexel.edu.

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a requirement of the LeBow Executive MBA Program. A score on the GMAT of 570 or higher is required. In some cases, the GMAT may be waived depending on the candidates work experience and undergraduate background.

With an MBA, you will have attained a high level of knowledge about a wide range of topics considered essential in modern business leadership. As such, it marks you as a person who was willing to invest the time and effort needed to gain the degree, and as someone who is prepared to accept and meet all the challenges the business world has to offer.
It says that you not only want to succeed, but that you have been tested and are capable of success. Furthermore, it enables you to compete or be considered for position s requiring graduate or MBA degrees.

The Drexel Executive MBA is a comprehensive MBA program that encompasses a vast spectrum of business including finance, accounting, marketing, and technology and business strategy. Because of the cohorted format of the program, there are no concentrations.

You do not need to be financially sponsored by your company in order to enroll in the Executive MBA program. However, you do need your employer's support to take the necessary time off for class attendance. Students in the Executive MBA must be able to attend classes every other Friday, except during the summer.