Cleveland State University's Executive MBA program provides a unique learning opportunity for highly-motivated business executives, managers, and professionals to earn an MBA degree in 19 months without interrupting their careers.

The curriculum emphasizes strategic decision making and integrative management skills and provides balanced coverage of the major business disciplines. Special emphasis is placed on small study groups, giving participants the opportunity to benefit from each other's professional experiences and insights.

Program Structure

Each class moves through the program as a cohort group in a “lock step” sequence to facilitate the assimilation of a large body of knowledge over a brief 19-month time span. EMBA classes are held in the comfort of the executive classrooms in Monte Ahuja Hall on approximately three-Saturdays and one Friday per month. The calendar provides for normal holiday breaks and a summer break during the month of August.

Special Features

The Managers Workshop

This 6-day residency in an off-campus location kicks off the EMBA program. Its purpose is to provide an orientation, get you acquainted with your cohort, introduce key concepts and assess technical skills.

International Study Tour

A 10-12 day study tour in an international business center is scheduled during the first year of the program. This provides students with the opportunity to meet company executives and participate in business on an international level (hotel, transportation, and some meals are included in the program fee).

Business Practicum

Running throughout the entire 19 month program, the practicum is the application and integration of business stategy, decision making, and solutions. Applies principles, concepts and theories to a field experience in business analyzing and solving real world business problems.

Other special features include a distinguished speakers series, in which CEOs and other senior managers address program participants at luncheons on regular class days.

Faculty

The EMBA Program is taught primarily by College of Business Administration graduate faculty, who are selected for expertise in their disciplines and related experience in business, regulatory bodies, and government. They are actively involved in the community - as business consultants, members of professional organizations, and community leaders - bringing a richness of practical application to every course they teach.

 

Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• A nomination letter from a person who can comment meaningfully on the candidate’s performance in a professional setting, preferably from a current or former supervisor.
• Candidates must have a minimum of five years of significant professional or managerial experience as evidenced by a recent resume that includes both professional background and work experience.
• Educational experience equivalent to at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Demonstrate the applicant’s preparation for graduate study by fulfilling one of the following criteria:
  • Previous Graduate Degree: The applicant possesses a graduate degree (e.g., master’s, JD, MD, PhD) from an accredited college or university. The content of the degree program as well as the applicant’s performance within the program, a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0. No GMAT required; OR
  • Bachelor’s Degree with a Required GPA. The applicant possesses a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and has successfully achieved an overall GPA of at least a 2.8 out of 4.0. No GMAT required; OR
  • Candidate, whose highest degree is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and has an overall GPA below a 2.8 out of 4.0, will be required to take the GMAT and achieve a score of at least 950 total points using the following formula:
    (200 X UGPA) + GMAT = 950 or higher.
    A minimum percentile score of 20% verbal and 25% quantitative is required on the GMAT to eliminate additional course work.
• Each candidate will be interviewed by the admissions committee in order to determine the individual’s ability to pursue graduate study in business.

Degree Requirements

A 19-month program for mid-career professionals. Classes meet on a 3 Saturdays-1 Friday* per-month schedule. Program includes a 6-day residency, a 12-day International Study Tour, and an applied integrative field practicum which consists of an intensive real-world business project.

Curriculum—45-credit hour program
Components	Credits
I. Opening 6-Day Residency: The Manager’s Workshop (EBA 600) Comprehensive case and exercises to assess business skills and introduce students to team dynamics, ethics, presentation skills and quantitative skills	5
II. Economic and Ethical Issues in Decision Making
EBA 604 Economic Perspectives in Management (7 classes)	2
EBA 605 Ethical Perspectives in Business (7 classes)	2
III. Managerial Core
EBA 606 Accounting for Managers (13 classes)	4
EBA 607 Leading Organizational Change (7 classes)	2
EBA 608 Strategic HRM & Labor Relation (7 classes)	2
EBA 609 Marketing Strategy (13 classes)	4
EBA 610 Finance for Managers (13 classes)	4
EBA 611 Mgmt. Info. Systems (13 classes)	4
EBA 612 Supply Chain Mgmt. (13 classes)	4
IV. Integrative/Cross-functional Core
EBA 613 International Bus. Strategy (10 classes)	3
EBA 614 International Study Tour (12 days)	1
EBA 615 Business Strategy (13 classes)	4
EBA 616 Integrative Business Practicum	4
Total	45

The Managers Workshop

This 6-day residency in an off-campus location kicks off the EMBA program. Its purpose is to provide an orientation, get you acquainted with your cohort, introduce key concepts, and assess technical skills.

International Study Tour

A 10-12 day study tour in an international business center is scheduled during the first year of the program. This provides students with the opportunity to meet company executives and participate in business on an international level (hotel, transportation, and some meals are included in the program fee).

Business Practicum

Running throughout the entire 19 month program, the practicum is the application and integration of business stategy, decision making, and solutions. Applies priciples, concepts and theories to a field experience in business analyzing and solving real world business problems.

View the current EMBA program schedule (www.csuohio.edu/cba/mba/executive.html) to get a sense of the program’s pace and curriculum.

Program Cost

The total cost of the 19-month Executive MBA Program for 2007 is $34900 billed over 5 semesters, which includes:

• Tuition and fees
• All books and course materials
• International study tour
• Special luncheons, meals, and refreshments on class days
• Parking on CSU campus
• Access to all student services and amenities at the University

 

Admission Procedure

• Review the admission criteria.
• Complete and submit the Graduate Application with the $30 application fee payable to CSU.
• Request official transcripts from each institution of higher learning that the candidate has attended to be sent to the address below.
• Submit the nomination letter and a recent resume of your work and professional experience.
• If required, make plans to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) as far ahead as practical. The test is given continuously throughout the year at selected test locations. For more information contact GMAT at www.GMAT.org
• Following review of the admission application and required documents, a staff member will contact the candidate to schedule an interview with the selection committee.

The application, transcripts, nominations and resume should be sent to:

Cleveland State University
College of Business
Executive MBA, BU 308
2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115

Application Deadlines

The deadline for regular acceptance of applications has been extended to August 1. However, because the EMBA program uses a rolling admission policy, the majority of participants are accepted earlier. Applicantions received after the stated deadline will be considered on a space available basis. As a result, candidates are encouraged to submit applications as far ahead as possible, to avoid being closed out.

Financial Assistance

Many of our participants have this entire amount paid for by their company, while others have a partial tuition-reimbursement plan. The University also provides a budget payment plan, a deferred payment plan for students who receive company reimbursement and a direct billing option for third party, company billing.

Financial Aid is available to all graduate students, mostly in the form of student loans. Some graduate assistantships may also be available.

For information on fee payment schedules and optional budget payment plans, please contact the Executive Graduate Programs Office at 216.687.6925. Additional information is available on the bursar’s web site.