The Best Chicago Executive MBA Programs

Are you working professional in the Chicago metro who want to really start to climb the corporate ladder? Do you have significant managerial experience, but want to really take the next step and assume a leading roles in your organizations. Then an Executive MBA (EMBA) may be what you’re looking for.

While standard full-time MBAs offer students access to deeper coursework and more job recruiters, EMBA programs are tailored to teach skills that can be translated to a student’s current job, and allow for growth within the company. According to US News and World Report, many EMBA students have been identified as potential leaders at their companies. Some employers may will allow students to pursue their education while still getting full pay, and a majority of employers will even pay for the degree. EMBA classes are typically offered on weekends, ensuring that those enrolled in these programs don’t miss much, if any, work.

With plenty of flexible learning options at big-name schools, the Chicago metro is home to some of the nation’s top EMBA programs. Here’s a look at what the area has to offer.

The Best Chicago Executive MBA Programs

Booth School of Business – The University of Chicago

Home to the nation’s first Executive MBA program, Chicago Booth is one of the premiere business schools in the country and offers full-time, Evening, Weekend and Executive MBA programs. The Booth EMBA takes place over 21 months. Students take 17 courses together in a set format and complete Leadership Exploration and Development (LEAD). Students also select three to five elective courses to complete their individual course of study.

The program features campuses in Chicago, London and Hong Kong. EMBAs start their coursework at their home campus. Quarters two-through-five cover the core curriculum at that home campus. Between quarters five and six, a two-week elective session for all students takes place in Chicago during which students complete between two and four of their elective courses. Students return to their home campus for quarters six and seven to finish up the core curriculum. Final convocation for all students takes place in Chicago following quarter seven.

Aside from core coursework and elective, EMBAs are required to complete the Capstone Simulation: a competition that allows student teams to operate in a market environment making financing, investment, pricing, production, channel and marketing decisions culminating in final presentations to a panel of judges who value each student company based on accumulated cash flow and future profit potential, which are determined through historical data modeling and statistical analysis.

EMBAs may also compete in the Global New Venture Challenge: an optional additional elective course in which teams of students develop an innovative business and business plan and pitch it to peers, faculty, and outside experts in a final all-day presentation format.

Kellogg School of Management – Northwestern University

Originally founded in 1908 as the Northwestern University School of Commerce part-time evening program, the Kellogg Graduate School of Management was a founding member of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. Today, the school is ranked among the top graduate business school’s in the world. The school was renamed the Kellogg Graduate School of Management in 1979 after a $10 million gift from John L. Kellogg, former president of the food manufacturing Kellogg Company. A founding member of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, Kellogg offers One-Year full-time, two-year full-time, part-time and Executive MBA programs.

The Kellogg EMBA features two very different campuses in Evanston and Miami. EMBAs must complete 28 units of credit to earn their degrees, and of those credits, 10.5 are required core courses. Fifteen additional units of advanced class work follow the core curriculum and four to six electives allow students to customize their course of study in the second year of the program.

Mendoza College of Business – Notre Dame University

Founded in 1921, Notre Dame’s College of Foreign and Domestic Commerce was re-named the Mendoza College of Business in the early 2000’s the college to honor a $35 million donation from Tom and Kathy Mendoza. The school’s MBA faculty includes approximately 182 instructors, including professors, associate professors, and adjunct instructors, and prominent business leaders also serve as visiting lecturers. Mendoza offers two-year, one-year and Executive MBA programs.

The Mendoza EMBA is offered as with an 18-month program in downtown Chicago, that meets every other weekend, or a 22-month program held at Notre Dame’s Stayer Center in South Bend, Indiana, where classes meet Thursday, Friday and Saturday once a month. The program’s curriculum is design to feature management, accounting, negotiations and quantitative analysis courses, as well as a Notre Dame’s signature leadership coursework. Students are assigned a team of peers from different backgrounds to help promote a collaborative learning environment.

Northern Illinois University College of Business

Starting as a three faculty member team teaching in a former WWII barracks during the next decade, Northern Illinois University’s Business Department was founded in 1961. Today, the NIU College of Business contains the six academic departments of accountancy, business administration, finance, management, marketing and operations management & information systems. NIU offers two accelerated degree programs: the One-Year MBA and the Fast-Track MBA.

NIU’s EMBA can be completed 21 months after starting the program, with just 18 months of classroom time. The lock-step program keeps all students on the same page academically, and was designed to help build camaraderie and friendship among students. The Saturday-only program is offered on the Naperville campus. All students take part in an international trip as part of their studies. The trip is nine days long and takes place in May. In the past, students have visited locations in Europe, Asia and Australia as part of this special excursion.

Quinlan School of Business – Loyola University

Founded in 1922, Loyola University Quinlan School of Business is the only Jesuit business school in Chicago. The school was renamed following a $40 million gift from Michael R. Quinlan, former chairman and CEO of McDonald’s Corp., and former chairman of Loyola’s Board of Trustees.

Quinlan’s EMBA program is an accelerated 18-month program that focuses on leadership and collaboration skills for experienced executives. Students enter the program and are placed into cohorts made up of only 20 to 30 student. The program is comprised of classes that meet every other Friday and Saturday, as well as two separate one-week residencies in Chicago and an immersive international study trip.

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regions: Chicago

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