Executive Master of Business Administration

The Executive Master in Business Administration (E.M.B.A.) at the University of Idaho combines the rigor and depth of a traditional M.B.A. with the flexibility and dynamic learning opportunities of a leading executive program. The E.M.B.A. equips you with the expertise, management skills and executive perspective you need to create innovative leadership strategies that will transform your career and organization.

Building on the College of Business and Economics' award-winning integrated approach to business education, the E.M.B.A. program is designed to break down silo thinking in the corporate sector by giving you an advanced understanding of all critical business functions. During a 22-month period, you will work alongside peers and top business faculty to examine themes of leadership, globalization, sustainability, decision-making and relationship management.

The program admits a single class, or cohort, of approximately 20 students each year. You will remain with this same group of peers throughout the program.

Classes are held once a month for three days (Thursday - Saturday) at University of Idaho's Harbor Center in Coeur d'Alene.  Some course content is delivered online.

Prepare for Success

The Executive Master in Business Administration (E.M.B.A) is ideal for working managers and professionals on the executive track who want a quality graduate business degree without interrupting their careers. Our E.M.B.A. students are energetic and mature with a drive and ambition that separates them from the pack. Most candidates, but not all, have earned a bachelor’s degree and some have graduate or professional degrees in fields other than business administration. When you apply, you must submit a statement of support from your employer.

Your First Year

The E.M.B.A. is a rigorous two-year, full-time program. The program’s flexible format fits within your work schedule and allows you to remain productive on the job. You will begin the program in the summer with an intensive week focusing on group dynamics. During your first year, you will examine cases and explore high-level concepts that include:

• Managing complex systems
• Social responsibility and ethical leadership
• Launching new products and businesses
• Strategic cost and process management
• Managing relationships to influence Behavior

The EMBA curriculum at a glance

What You Can Do

Many students pursue an Executive Master of Business Administration (E.M.B.A.) in preparation for a career transition. Examples of these transition scenarios include:

• Functional manager to general manager or executive
• Manager to entrepreneur
• Company or industry change

Opportunities

Success in today’s global, technologically driven economy hinges on a manager's ability to understand and make connections across diverse constituencies, including employees, shareholders, competitors and governments. A master's degree in business is a credential now commonly held by managers and business executives in the U.S. and throughout the world. The E.M.B.A. will serve as a springboard to your career goals and open doors to many exciting leadership opportunities.

Current Research

The University of Idaho College of Business and Economics faculty members are among an elite group of U.S. business school leaders who have mastered team teaching and learning. Faculty areas of expertise and current research interests include:

• Behavioral decision-making processes
• Risk management of retirement savings
• Business ethics and social responsibility
• International relations
• Strategic leadership
• Accounting information systems
• Business/environmental sustainability
• Customer satisfaction
• Regional economics
• Asset valuation and investment management
• Business law (contracts, government regulation, intellectual property)

Hands-On Experience

Your company or organization will become your laboratory, where you will continually apply what you are learning in the Executive Master of Business Administration (E.M.B.A.) program. You will also have opportunities to customize certain components of the program and design projects that address real issues you face on the job.

During your summer integrative experience, between your second and third semesters, you will pursue a research interest and begin the groundwork for your final project. Research topics are as diverse as the student groups and are often tailored to company specific issues or needs. You will receive one-on-one mentorship from our leading faculty throughout the process. Examples of topics include:

• Providing a sustainable, livable wage to transitory workers
• Using information systems technology to improve business systems operation in nonprofit organizations
• Analysis of the company’s metrics, objectives, incentives and rewards at all organizational levels and comparing that with the company’s mission in order to assess alignment
• Creation of an annual publication: case studies in business ethics—collection of case studies written by executives (the students) for executives