FAQ

Executive MBA Frequently Asked Questions

Curriculum:

Q. What is the curriculum of the Executive MBA program?

Q. What are Executive MBA residencies and when do they occur?

Q. What is the International Residency?

Q. What is the Domestic Residency?

Q. How much time outside of class will I spend per week on homework/group work?

Admissions:

Q. Are there any prerequisites for admission to the Carlson Executive MBA program?
The only prerequisites for applying to the Carlson Executive MBA program are a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (regardless of major) and at least eight years of work experience. Some foreign students may need to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam as well.

Q. Does my work experience need to be management experience?
Not necessarily. The Executive MBA program will look at the type and quality of experience that you have achieved. We are looking to see that applicants have successfully managed new and diverse challenges, while progressing in their chosen profession.

Q. Is the degree from the Executive MBA program different from one that is received in the Full-Time or Part-Time MBA program?
No. All graduates of the MBA programs from the Carlson School of Management receive a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Minnesota. The Executive MBA program is designed for more experienced professionals who wish to complete their program in a format convenient for them and their career. The curriculum and faculty are the same as our other MBA programs at the Carlson School. To learn more about executive MBA degrees in general, you may want to visit the website of the Executive MBA Council at: www.emba.org.

Q. Is the GMAT required for admission?
The Carlson Executive MBA does not require the GMAT for admission.

Q. What is the application process for the Executive MBA program?
The Carlson Executive MBA accepts applications on a rolling basis and admissions decisions are made once your application is complete. Applicants are recommended to submit pieces of their application as soon as they are completed. You do not need to submit everything at once. The Executive MBA admissions staff will collect your various application pieces and contact you to schedule your admissions interview. The Carlson Executive MBA’s priority deadline is April 1.

Q. What if I apply after the deadline?
The Carlson Executive MBA program reviews all applications that are received. For any applications received after our deadline, admissions decisions are made on a space-available basis.

Q. When will I receive an admission decision?
In approximately 2 to 3 weeks after your file is complete, you should receive a notification by mail. We do not give admission decisions over the phone.

Q. Can I defer my admission?
Occasionally, students defer admission, due to family or work situations. We will hold your file and work with you next year to complete your admission at that time.

Q. How can I get an application to the Carlson Executive MBA program?
You can get an application several ways. You can visit our website and either complete the application online or download a copy to complete later. In addition, our Letters of Recommendation are available in a downloadable PDF which your recommenders can complete, or you can request that they complete the letter of recommendation on line as part of your online application. We would also be happy to send you an application. Just call 612-624-1385 or 800-922-3622 to request an application be mailed to you.

Q. Does my undergraduate degree need to be in business? Does my work experience need to be in business?
You are not required to have an undergraduate degree or work experience in business. The Carlson School of Management recruits and admits individuals from a broad range of academic and professional backgrounds.

Q. Do foreign students need to meet special requirements?
A foreign credentialing check is required to determine that the undergraduate degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Also, if English is not the applicant’s native language, they are expected to score 580 or better on the paper TOEFL test or 240 or better on the computerized TOEFL. If the applicant has completed the last two years of their baccalaureate degree or one year of graduate school in the United States, they are exempt from the TEOFL exam. You may find out more about the TOEFL by visiting: http://www.toefl.org

Q. Is it possible for me to register for some MBA courses before being admitted to the program?
No. The Carlson School’s MBA classes are in very high demand and are therefore not open to the general public. We also guarantee our current students that everyone in class with them went through the same application process that they did, thereby ensuring the quality of class discussions, group work, etc. You may want to join us for a class visit to experience the program first hand, before you apply.

Q. What are the tuition costs for the Executive MBA program? Is financial aid available?
For those entering the Executive MBA program in Fall 2007, the comprehensive fee for the program will be $82,500. The program fee covers tuition and books, other class materials, meals, parking, costs for the domestic residency and most costs for the international residency. Costs of the international residency that are covered include airfare to and from the residency site, lodging, ground transportation to and from all official visits and most meals. Employers frequently support the education of employees who attend the Carlson Executive MBA program through corporate reimbursement. For educational expenses beyond corporate reimbursement plans, the University of Minnesota's Office of Student Financial Aid makes available financial assistance in the form of need-based and non-need based University, Federal and Private educational loan programs. Executive MBA students are not eligible for fellowships or scholarships.

Q. Is corporate support required to participate in the Executive MBA program?
Organizational support in the form of time off to attend class is the only corporate support required by the Carlson Executive MBA program.

Q. Why should I choose an executive MBA program over a full-time or part-time program?
If you have the necessary work experience, the executive MBA program may be a richer experience for you by allowing you to study amongst your professional peers, as well as complete the degree through a program that provides the appropriate level of services and networking opportunities for experienced professionals.

Q. Can I speak with an Alumnus of the Carlson Executive MBA program?
Certainly! We would be happy to connect you with one of our many Carlson Executive MBA Alumni Ambassadors who look forward to sharing their experiences with you. Please call Jeff Bieganek, Director of Admissions & Recruiting, at 612-625-6558 for more information.

Q. How can I learn more about the Carlson Executive MBA program?
The best way to learn more about the Executive MBA program is to attend an information session or class visit opportunity, where you can meet our admissions staff, hear the perspectives of current students, experience the classes first hand and find answers to your questions.

Structure:

Q. When are classes held?
Classes are held on Fridays and Saturdays on alternate weekends. Class days begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. on each class day.

Q. How long does it take to earn the degree?
From orientation to graduation, the program length is approximately 21 months. This includes the fall and spring semester for year 1 and then the fall and spring semester for year 2. You do not have classes during the summer in between those two years.

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

Q. What if I travel a lot for work or may need to miss a class?
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 are as flexible as possible about issues regarding professional travel. You should work directly with your faculty 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 group members. The Executive MBA program digitally records all classes as a service to our students and posts the recordings onto ClassNet. ClassNet is a technology that allows students to log into their classes' websites to download assignments and faculty presentations if they can't make it to class. The Carlson School also provides additional resources, such as virtual team meeting tools to assist students manage travel and study.

Q. How are study groups formed? Will they change throughout the program?
Executive MBA study groups are formed by the program office and are created to provide teams with diverse perspectives, educational backgrounds, careers, international backgrounds and overall experiences to enhance their learning and networking opportunities. Study groups are rotated between the first and second years of the program.

Q. How many credits need to be completed to earn an MBA through the Executive MBA program?
A total of 48 credits is required to complete the MBA degree through the Executive MBA program.

Q. What kinds of career services are available through the Executive MBA program?
An Executive Career Coach, working exclusively with Executive and Part-Time MBA students, is available for individual career coaching and career planning. Career related workshops are delivered at times convenient for Executive MBA students. The Graduate Business Career Center offers a variety of services and programs that help students in finding the right job and in determining their career path. These include resume critiques, mock interviews, career counseling, job search workshops, job postings, national job fairs, as well as specific programs designed specifically for Executive MBA students.

Curriculum:

Q. What is the curriculum of the Executive MBA program?
The Carlson Executive MBA program has a strategic management focus, with an emphasis on international business. In the first year of the program, students complete a series of MBA core courses, which cover the basic functions and tools of business. The second year courses explore the broader context of business and help you develop the ability to deal with complex management challenges, as well as develop a deeper global perspective. Visit the curriculum page on the web site for a complete listing of classes.

Q. What are Executive MBA residencies and when do they occur?
The Carlson Executive MBA program includes two domestic residencies which occur at the beginning of each school year, and an international residency which takes place at the end of the final semester of the program. Residencies are experiential components of the program that take place off-site and allow for unique and rich learning experiences.

Q. What is the International Residency?
Our International Residency gives students a deeper understanding of emerging and mature markets all over the world, including a broadened sensitivity to cultural and social differences and similarities, which can have a profound impact on global business. The program is led by senior faculty and incorporates pre-program lectures, guest speakers and project assignments, on-site work, and final team presentations. On-site work includes company visits, plant tours, presentations and panel discussions led by senior government and business leaders, lectures from local university professors, and the opportunity to experience local culture. Previous International Residencies have been in Vienna, Austria; Warsaw, Poland; Dublin, Ireland; London, England; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Santiago, Chile; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Budapest, Hungary.

Q. What is the Domestic Residency?
The Domestic Residency is an intense five-day live-in session that is held both First and Second Year. First year, you'll work on understanding how teams work best, how to adjust to "being in school" again, and bonding with other students. It is designed to help you understand the academic process and program expectations, as well as begin your courses. The Residency also includes a formal "kick-off" dinner which features a special guest speaker. Second Year is the Critical Issues residency. It kicks off with an experientially-based course on global negotiations that prepares you for your International Residency.

Q. How much time outside of class will I spend per week on homework/group work?
The general guideline is that you will spend two times the amount of class time on assigned readings and team projects outside of the classroom, which means approximately 15-20 hours per week.