Executive MBA Programs Online
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“The executive MBA is designed for professionals who are already in leadership roles, so the key is to leverage your existing experience while learning new frameworks and strategies. Focus on building a strong network, as peer interactions and real-world case studies will offer invaluable insights.”
Tamanna Ramesh, MBA, Director of Global Innovation Programs, The Coca-Cola Company
A master’s of business administration (MBA) equips graduates with a valuable skillset, paying thought to general strategies for success in management or entrepreneurship. Experienced professionals with high leadership aspirations, however, might consider earning an executive MBA (EMBA)—a degree which an employer may even sponsor.
In general, traditional MBA programs are designed for students who currently possess a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field, and who already have some work experience. EMBAs, in contrast, are specifically tailored for students who are not only interested in top leadership roles, but also are relatively established in their careers. Of course, there are other differences that distinguish a traditional MBA from an EMBA program. For one, the admissions requirements for EMBA programs are often more rigid than they are for MBA degrees, which may engender a more competitive atmosphere; for example, students in the MBA program at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania scored, on average, between 570 and 760 on the GMAT, while the EMBA students had a range of 640-760. Furthermore, students in the MBA program had an average work experience of four years, while those in the EMBA had been working for an average of 11 years before beginning their degree.
The two types of programs also share some similarities, including the time it takes to complete each degree. For example, students at the Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech can complete an EMBA in 17 months—a similar time frame to a traditional MBA program. In addition, the EMBA and MBA curricula may boast significant overlap, depending on the institution.
Ultimately, EMBA programs attract seasoned business professionals and these days, one need not live close to a campus to complete these studies. In fact, there’s a growing number of reputable business schools bringing their EMBA programs online to accommodate working professionals, people living far away from campuses, or those with other time commitments.
This guide explores reputable online EMBA programs and one expert’s perspective.
Meet the Expert: Tamanna Ramesh, MBA, MS
Tamanna Ramesh serves as the director of global innovation programs at the Coca-Cola Company and founded Spark Career Services. She supports organizations and professionals in navigating the complexities of culture, engagement, and career development.
With over a decade of experience spanning multiple career pivots—from product development to process engineering to business strategy—Ramesh has cultivated a diverse skill set that drives innovation and facilitates professional growth. Her executive MBA from Indiana University and multifaceted background empower her to lead strategic initiatives at her organization and provide coaching through Spark Career Services. There, she guides clients in career advancement, leadership, and addressing workplace challenges. Deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, she is passionate about helping others build fulfilling and impactful careers.
BSchools.org: How has graduating with an executive MBA enhanced your career?
Ramesh: Graduating with an executive MBA has profoundly impacted my career, especially in enhancing my strategic thinking and leadership capabilities. The program provided me with advanced tools to assess business challenges from a high-level perspective, which has been crucial in my role as director of global innovation programs at a Fortune 100 company. It empowered me to lead cross-functional teams effectively, make data-driven decisions, and influence key organizational stakeholders. The executive MBA also honed my ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics, positioning me to drive innovation while aligning with broader company goals.
Additionally, the skills and insights I gained have been invaluable in shaping the strategies I use at Spark Career Services to help professionals and organizations achieve their goals. The skills and insights I gained have been invaluable in transforming my career and enabling me to make a meaningful impact in both my current role and the professional community I serve.
BSchools.org: What is one piece of advice you would give to a prospective executive MBA applicant?
Ramesh: My advice to a prospective MBA applicant aspiring to specialize in an executive MBA is to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with the program. The executive MBA is designed for professionals who are already in leadership roles, so the key is to leverage your existing experience while learning new frameworks and strategies. Focus on building a strong network, as peer interactions and real-world case studies will offer invaluable insights.
Additionally, be prepared to step outside your comfort zone and apply theoretical knowledge to real-world business problems. It’s not just about the degree—it’s about how you translate what you learn into actionable leadership that drives change within your organization.
Featured Online Executive MBA Programs
The Carson College of Business at Washington State University offers an online executive MBA program that consistently ranks in the top 25 of the U.S. News & World Report’s best online MBA programs. Students in this 44-credit-hour program can graduate in 18 months or longer and can expect to take courses on business analytics, financial management, marketing management, administrative control, and information systems analysis, among others. The program is delivered 100 percent online, although students also have the option of attending a leadership conference and/or completing international field study.
| Location: Pullman, WA |
| Accreditation: AACSB |
| Expected Time to Completion: 18 months |
Carlow University offers an online executive MBA as part of a dual-degree program combining an MBA with another advanced degree such as a master of science in nursing (MSN) or master of social work (MSW). This program is designed to provide flexibility for working professionals, with no requirement for campus visits. Students can complete clinical components locally if enrolled in one of the healthcare-related dual degrees.
Carlow’s curriculum emphasizes leadership, ethical business practices, and compassionate service, aligning with the university’s Catholic mission of mercy and ethical responsibility. This online format allows students to earn both degrees in an accelerated time frame of 15 to 24 months.
| Location: Pittsburgh, PA |
| Accreditation: IACBE |
| Expected Time to Completion: Two years |
Winthrop University’s online MBA program is designed for professionals seeking to advance their business knowledge and leadership skills. The program offers flexibility for students, including a GMAT waiver for eligible applicants with five or more years of professional experience. The curriculum includes foundational business courses, with optional concentrations in strategic leadership or marketing.
Students complete 36 credit hours, gaining practical skills in management, finance, and decision-making. This AACSB-accredited program emphasizes real-world applications, preparing graduates for leadership roles across various industries. Full-time and part-time options are available, accommodating working professionals’ schedules.
| Location: Rock Hill, SC |
| Accreditation: AACSB |
| Expected Time to Completion: Two years |
The Howard University School of Business offers an online executive MBA program that students can complete in as few as 18 months of full-time study. Students in this program must complete 42 credit-hours on subjects such as financial accounting, financial management, strategic communications, managerial accounting, and applied economics for executives, among a number of others. Although much of the coursework is delivered online, students are required to participate in an intensive three-week orientation prior to the start of the first semester.
| Location: Washington DC |
| Accreditation: AACSB |
| Expected Time to Completion: 18 months |
Students at the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University can complete an online EMBA program in as few as 19 months. Much of this program can be completed online, although students are required to attend a five-day launch week on Purdue’s campus at the beginning of their studies, as well as quarterly on-campus residencies spanning the duration of the program, each of which lasts one to two weeks. This 48-credit-hour program covers courses on accounting, business analytics, managerial economics, and managing behavior in organizations, among others, and allows students to complete a number of immersive and functional electives, as well.
| Location: Lafayette, IN |
| Accreditation: AACSB |
| Expected Time to Completion: 19 months |
At the Saunders College of Business at the Rochester Institute of Technology, students are able to complete an online EMBA in four semesters over the course of 17 months. This 47-credit-hour program allows for either a fall or winter start date, and students take classes on executive leadership, systems support for operations, business simulation, and strategic thinking, among a number of other topics. Much of the program can be completed entirely online, although all students are required to attend a three-day on-campus orientation session before classes begin. In addition, students must also attend an international seminar, which is a seven–to-ten-day business and cultural educational trip near the end of the program.
| Location: Rochester, NY |
| Accreditation: AACSB |
| Expected Time to Completion: 17 months |
Students in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas have the opportunity to complete a hybrid executive MBA degree that takes approximately 24 months. This 38-credit-hour program allows students to focus on certain areas of study, including supply chains, finance, business analytics, innovation and entrepreneurship, and retail. Most of the program can be completed online, although each month students are required to participate in one on-campus interaction that takes place on a Saturday.
| Location: Fayetteville, AK |
| Accreditation: AACSB |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
The College of Business at the University of Nevada – Reno offers an online executive MBA program that was ranked among the top 35 in the nation in 2018 by U.S. News & World Report. This 36-credit-hour program takes two years to complete, and includes core courses on statistics for decision-making, economics of the firm, marketing management, and financial management, among others, as well as breadth courses in personal branding, seminar managerial accounting, and strategic management for executives. The entire program is offered online; indeed, while students have the option to take proctored exams on campus, they may also do so via the online program Examity.
| Location: Reno, NV |
| Accreditation: AACSB |
| Expected Time to Completion: Two years |
At the College of Business at the University of North Alabama, students have the opportunity to complete an online EMBA program. This 34-credit-hour program covers a wide array of courses, including those on global business, strategic microeconomic analysis for managers, foundations of business, leadership and MBA essentials, strategic marketing analysis and concepts, and analytical tools for strategic decision-making, among a number of others. Three start dates are offered throughout the year—August, January, and June—and the entirety of the program can be completed online, taking between 12 and 30 months, depending on the course of study.
| Location: Florence, AL |
| Accreditation: AACSB |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 30 months |
The University of Wyoming College of Business offers an online EMBA program that can be completed 100 percent online. This 30-credit program offers one start date per year in the fall, generally taking two years to complete. Applicants must have at least five years of work experience to gain admission, including three or more in a supervisory or managerial role.
Additionally, students who do not possess a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field may still gain admission, although they may also be required to take a number of prerequisite courses, including management and organization, introduction to marketing, corporate finance, managerial economics, and production and operations management.
| Location: Laramie, WY |
| Accreditation: AACSB |
| Expected Time to Completion: Two years |
