The EMBA Program takes a general management approach and does not include a major. You take the same classes at the same time with the same people. However, there are a number of opportunities to customize your experience based on individual interests. Starting in Term 3, you have the opportunity to customize your experience to achieve your specific personal and professional learning goals through 14 electives. In course assignments, you may choose to study specific industries and/or organizations. In ExecMAP, you are able to select from a variety of projects in different industries, countries, and functional areas.
Yes, there is only one Master of Business Administration degree granted by the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
Yes, the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is fully accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
The Executive MBA Program is customized to meet the needs of individuals in senior management roles, focusing on leadership skills needed to be successful at the executive level. Specifically, the program is ideal for those with substantial work experience, including strategic planning and leadership responsibilities. The overall EMBA curriculum is more strategic in focus and designed to help participants make an immediate impact at work, while taking advantage of the participants' collective professional experiences. The program is designed to be incorporated into a participant’s current career and home life by meeting in-person only one weekend a month for 21 months.
To see how the Executive MBA Program compares to other Michigan Ross MBA programs, please visit “Which MBA Formal is Right for Me?”
Only in geographical location. Whether in Los Angeles or Ann Arbor, you will experience the same Michigan Ross EMBA. Both locations offer the same general management curriculum, renowned Michigan Ross faculty, and learning and networking experiences during on-campus residencies. Ann Arbor and Los Angeles follow the same schedule format, and you will benefit from selected shared residencies and integrated networking opportunities at either location.
There is no formal minimum work experience requirement for admission to the program; however, EMBA students typically have at least 8 years of full-time work experience with 5 of those years spent in a managerial/supervisory role.
More important to the program than the number of years worked is the quality of work experience as evidenced by a strong track record of achievement, career progression, level of responsibility, and future potential.
Yes. Multiple recruiting events are scheduled throughout the year. You are also welcome to schedule a one-to-one appointment with an admissions counselor. Appointments are conducted in person, by phone, or virtually.
You can watch a recording of a virtual class session here or attend a live class at one of our monthly Preview Days events. Check our events page for the latest dates and locations.
International EMBA students are fully employed and are therefore able to secure work visas sponsored by their employer. Visit the University of Michigan International Center for more information relevant to international students.
No. Executive MBA students follow a predetermined general management curriculum that does not include a dual-degree option.
No, you may only apply to one program at Michigan Ross during any given admission cycle.
Yes. Reapplication procedures are streamlined if you reapply within one application cycle of your originally submitted application. If you reapply after that time, you must submit a completely new application and supporting documents. Reapplication procedures are as follows:
- Complete an application form.
- Submit an updated resume.
- Identify one recommender. You may choose your original recommender, but that individual must complete a new recommendation that reflects your performance and achievements since your original application was submitted.
- Submit a letter to update us on your achievements and goals since your original application. Upload the letter with your updated resume.
- You do not need to send transcripts that were submitted with your last application. We still have these on file.
- OPTIONAL: You may choose to answer one or more of our current essay questions.
No, the Executive MBA Program at Ross does not accept transfer credits from other educational institutions.
You may apply to the EMBA program with a prior MBA; however, you will need to explain through your application why you feel another MBA degree is necessary for you at this point in your career.
You are required to have a high level of proficiency in the English language. Language skills are assessed throughout the application process and are considered in an applicant's overall evaluation. Based on the evaluation, certain candidates may be asked to take the TOEFL exam as a condition of their admission.
We strongly recommend a TOEFL score of 100 or higher on the internet-based test (iBT). Michigan Ross' TOEFL score reporting code is 1839. Ross will accept the PTE or IELTS as an alternative to the TOEFL, and we strongly recommend a PTE score of 70 or higher, or IELTS exam score of 7 or higher.
Financial sponsorship is not required; however, all enrolled students must demonstrate employer support of their participation in the program by submitting a signed Statement of Corporate Support form by the first day of class. Self-employed applicants may request a waiver of this requirement.
No. The GMAT is not a requirement of admission to the Michigan Ross EMBA Program. Candidates whose backgrounds do not demonstrate proficiency in basic quantitative and analytical skills may be required to take a quantitative skills assessment test as a condition of admission.
Official transcripts can be sent to the Executive MBA admissions office once you have started your application.
Mail or email to:
Executive MBA Program
Stephen M. Ross School of Business
University of Michigan
700 East University, Kresge Hall K1521
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1234
[email protected]
The nonrefundable $200 application fee is waived for:
- Active members and veterans of the U.S Military - please provide a copy of military orders or DD-214.
- Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Teach for America volunteers who have served within the past five years - please provide proof of membership that includes the name of the organization and dates of service.
- Currently enrolled students in a University of Michigan graduate degree program
- Citizens of a country on the UN's list of least-developed countries - verified at time of application.
- Students who submitted an application to the Ross Executive MBA within the past five years.
Application fee waiver requests can be made by emailing [email protected] and including "Application Fee Waiver Request" in the subject line. We do not waive application fees for any other reason.
Yes. Undergraduate degrees are required for admission to all master's programs offered at the Michigan Ross School of Business.
This problem often arises as a result of a recommender's email filter settings which block or automatically filter the invitation into a spam or junk mail folder. You can check the status of your recommendation, resend a recommendation request, and even update a recommender from the Apply Online section of the online application homepage.
Admissions interviews may be conducted prior to or after a completed application has been submitted. You may request an interview by sending a copy of your resume to the EMBA Admissions Office at [email protected].
Interviews are approximately one hour and are conducted by one or two members of the admissions committee. Dress is business formal. During the interview, you should be prepared to discuss your professional history, current level of responsibility, and personal and professional reasons for pursuing an Executive MBA at Ross.
One-year deferrals of admission are granted at the sole discretion of the admissions committee. You must submit a formal request to the committee no later than six weeks prior to the start of class. Deferral requests received beyond this deadline, if granted, will require an additional deferral deposit to guarantee their seat in the following year's class.
Please note that scholarship awards are specific to each recruitment period and do not transfer for students who choose to defer their admission. Deferring students will be reconsidered for scholarship eligibility during the following recruiting period.
Application decisions are made within four to six weeks from the date of completion and are communicated via email and/or U.S. Mail.
Tuition and fees are determined at the beginning of each program year and are the same for Ann Arbor and Los Angeles cohorts. Once set, tuition and fees do not change for the duration of the 21-month program. For current tuition rates, see the Tuition & Financial Aid page.
Tuition and expenses for the Michigan Ross EMBA Program cover:
- all tuition for courses, workshops, special speakers, and events
- textbooks and course materials, software, and communications needs
- accommodations
- all dining, including breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks/coffee breaks, and occasional group dining excursions organized by the EMBA Program
All accommodations and meals are covered for the duration of extended on-campus residencies. In addition, international and/or domestic travel required for the ExecMAP project course is covered by sponsoring organizations and/or the EMBA Program.
Tuition and fees do not cover monthly travel expenses. EMBA students are required to pay for all transportation to and from Ann Arbor and/or Los Angeles. Hotel accommodations are included the night before a residency and, for students traveling outside the region, the night after the residency concludes (depending on distance traveled).
Financial aid is available to EMBA students. See the Tuition & Financial Aid page.
Ross is proud to participate in the Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program. For detailed information, see the page for veterans' financial aid, and contact Ross Financial Aid with any questions.
You are automatically considered for scholarship awards at the time of your application review.
All scholarship awards are communicated with admissions decisions approximately four to six weeks after an application has been completed.
Your studies continue with materials and technologies designed for distance learning. With three courses typically taught concurrently, each month is organized to allow for one full week of distance learning per class. Lectures may be streamed or viewed offline at your convenience, providing you with more flexibility.
On average, 15-25 hours per week, including meetings and time spent on distance learning materials.
You start with an extended residency at the beginning of each academic year, and return to campus approximately once per month for an all-day Friday/Saturday or Thursday/Friday/Saturday residency. There is a major field project course (ExecMAP) held in the second year of the program. During the weeks when you are not in residence, the program uses a variety of distance learning materials and technologies to enhance remote learning (See “What happens when we are not in residency?” question above). Academic calendars including on-campus residencies for Ann Arbor and Los Angeles campuses can be found on the schedule page of this website
We target a class of 65 to 80 students in Ann Arbor and 30 to 45 students in Los Angeles.
You will be assigned to a group that will include three to four of your peers. Although not all class work will be assigned as a group task, we recognize that many business challenges are analyzed and resolved most effectively with a group of colleagues. Groups will change at least five times in the program to maximize your interaction with other classmates and deepen your network.
Ann Arbor - Classes are held at Michigan Ross, in facilities designed specifically for the needs of the Executive MBA program.
Los Angeles - Classes are held at the Hotel Indigo in Downtown Los Angeles, where the facilities and classroom experience provide an environment similar to that experienced on the Ann Arbor campus.
In Ann Arbor, you will stay primarily at the Hyatt Place Ann Arbor, which offers complimentary shuttle service to Michigan Ross and downtown excitement and campus life.
In Los Angeles, you will stay at the Hotel Indigo in downtown Los Angeles, where executive amenities, fine dining, and top-rated service enhance the all-inclusive learning environment. New LA campus coming soon!
21 months. Courses begin in August and conclude 21 months later in April/May.
No, but international ExecMAP opportunities will be available if you seek an international option as part of your EMBA experience.
The Ross EMBA curriculum emphasizes general management from a strategic perspective, along with personalized leadership development. It takes a comprehensive, results-oriented approach to practical problem solving and decision making -- all at a senior level. If you are seeking advancement to the highest levels in your organization, you will need to complement your functional expertise with a broad-based knowledge of all the facets of business. Our EMBA curriculum provides a rigorous general management education that focuses on a strategic approach to business issues and problem solving.
Parallel to the traditional courses is a leadership development program in which you develop your goals as well as identify strengths and areas for growth. Personalized executive coaching, as well as a number of leadership-focused workshops will provide you with tools to reach these goals.
ExecMAP and the elective courses in terms three, four, and five provide opportunities to customize your learning based on your unique goals and interests.
Ross faculty often teach in many different programs, and the EMBA faculty are no exception. You will be taught by Ross faculty who are experts in their field. The faculty teaching in our EMBA program are typically some of our most senior and award-winning faculty.
