Darden School of Business – University of Virginia - Executive MBA

UVA Darden Executive MBA Program Structure

Students in the 21-month UVA Darden Executive MBA programs can choose one of two primary formats: the traditional Executive MBA (EMBA), or the Global Executive MBA (GEMBA).

The UVA Darden Executive MBA program’s base location is the UVA Darden DC Metro grounds in Arlington, Virginia, just a short drive from several major airports and Washington, D.C.’s Union Station.

WASHINGTON, DC – AUG. 9
UVA Darden building in Arlington, Virginia Thursday August 9, 2018. (Photo by Jared Soares)

The program is hybrid in structure, blending in-person and virtual learning, with two-thirds of the content delivered in-person and one-third online. At the beginning and end of the program, students participate in one-week leadership residency on the main grounds of the Darden School in Charlottesville.

Weekend residencies take place, on average, one weekend a month and are held at the School’s DC metro grounds, Sands Family Grounds. Weekend classes run Friday through Sunday, with Friday classes beginning at Noon and Sunday classes concluding around 3:00 p.m.

Live, synchronous distance sessions take place most Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

In addition, all executive format students participate in at least one global residency during their course of study. These week-long trips are offered across four distinct travel periods, with typically two to three concurrent trips taking place per travel period. Recent global residency destinations include Brazil, Argentina, China, Germany, Japan, Ghana, Israel, India, Estonia, Australia, Cuba and Vietnam.

The structural difference for the EMBA and GEMBA is as follows:

EMBA:

• 20 Weekend Residencies
• Two Leadership Residencies
• One Global Residency required; students may add additional global residencies for an additional charge.
• Distance Learning

GEMBA:

• 20 Weekend Residencies
• Two Leadership Residencies
• Four Global Residency
• Distance Learning

Previous global residencies have taken place in Berlin, Paris, Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, and more.

Curriculum

Like the UVA Darden full-time MBA, the UVA Darden Executive MBA curriculum utilizes a case method style of teaching with an emphasis on in-class engagement. After completing the required core courses, EMBA and GEMBA students complete elective coursework. The availability of these courses, listed here, can vary year to year depending on student interest and faculty availability.

Executive MBA Rankings

• U.S. News & World Report: 14 (tie)

Class Profile

The school’s EMBA class of 2021 features 151 total students, 34 of which are enrolled in the GEMBA program. 30 percent of UVA Darden EMBA students are female and the average work experience for the current class is 11 years. The range of work experience goes from 4 to 29+ years. The program has representation from 11 different countries.

Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid

Total tuition for the UVA Darden Executive MBA program is currently $155,500 for both U.S. and international students. With added fees, materials, and lodging, students should expect to pay $159,700. While the program’s tuition and fees reflect the vast majority of expenses students are likely to incur during the program, they do not include all expenses, for example travel to/from weekend residencies or global residencies, some meals, visa costs, etc. An additional $4,000 deposit is required to reserve a spot in the program upon acceptance.

Most of Darden’s merit-based scholarships do not require an additional application. If admitted, students will be evaluated for available scholarships, which are competitively awarded based on a variety of metrics and considerations.

Scholarship decisions are based on a holistic review of the application for admission and interview. It is recommended that applicants apply for admission by the earliest deadline to be considered for the largest pool of available Executive MBA scholarships.

Darden EMBA Scholarships.
U.S. military active members and veterans also may be eligible for multiple tuition benefits and scholarships, which can be found here.

Admissions

In order to apply to the UVA Darden Executive MBA program, applicants must submit:
• A completed application
• Transcripts for all degree-related coursework; Unofficial transcripts are fine for the purposes of the application process
• Standardized Test score or test waiver request; the Executive Assessment (EA), GMAT, GRE, LSAT and MCAT are all accepted. In addition, the Admissions Committee will accept an older or expired test score for any of these tests provided the applicant still has access to their score breakdown. For candidates seeking a test waiver, the test waiver request is located in the application, and waiver requests are evaluated along with the full application.
• A résumé
• One recommendation; up to three recommendations will be accepted.

An interview is required for a candidate to receive an offer of admission. Applicants are interviewed by Admissions Committee members, and these one-on-one interviews take place on the Charlottesville or Washington DC campus, or via Skype.

Application deadlines occur monthly, with each deadline functioning like a discrete round within a broader cycle. All deadlines are focused on one matriculation date – August. Applications will be accepted and evaluated until the class fills.

Application deadlines are as follows;

* = If space is available

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