Business Administration, E.M.B.A.

The Executive MBA (EMBA) program provides an opportunity for mid-career executives and experienced professionals to obtain a master’s degree in Business Administration on a schedule that minimizes disruption of work and personal obligations.

The program offers an integrated blend of theory and practice and provides a general management emphasis suited to the needs of mid-career executives and experienced professionals. It integrates professional experiences with graduate-level academic management curriculum. It familiarizes students with cutting-edge issues of disciplines in business that encompass management science for managerial decision making. It crystallizes the philosophy and capabilities of experienced professionals and, thus, fosters their professional growth. The courses of the program  are sequenced to assure continuity in learning. The functionally integrated curriculum provides opportunity for gaining cross-functional skills and knowledge.

The program includes a cohort online class structure that offers a lockstep, planned curriculum for mid-career executives. The students of each cohort begin the program at the same point, move through the curriculum together, and complete the degree requirements for graduation at the same time. Executive MBA students are required to complete their degrees in two years. During that period, they gain a wide range of new skills and sharpen their analytical abilities by combining coursework with day-to-day professional experience. A unique aspect of the proposed EMBA program is the collective professional experience of its participants, which greatly enriches the educational environment. EMBA students possess several years of significant, post-baccalaureate professional experience. Most students continue to work full-time while enrolled in the program.

Business leaders face increasingly complex responsibilities, demanding extensive knowledge of all functional areas of business. They must maintain and enhance their managerial and leadership capital. To advance, they must acquire new skills and broaden their management perspective.

The EMBA program will teach executive leadership by integration of knowledge, skills, and experience. The EMBA program is oriented towards managerial skills in problem identification and analysis, and application of managerial skills to discovery of alternative solutions. The program encourages application of theoretical solutions to real world business problems. The objective of the program is for the graduates to do the followings upon graduation:

• To lead organizations,
• To apply knowledge in new and unfamiliar circumstances through a conceptual understanding of relevant disciplines, and
• To adapt and innovate, to solving problems, to cope with unforeseen events, and to manage in unpredictable environments.

The program builds on the existing UNR part-time MBA program where it has achieved national recognition by being ranked as the top programs in the U.S. by Business Week, the most prestigious source for ranking of business schools. It is also noted that all programs offered by the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)., the highest level of accreditation attainable in business education.

Admission Requirements

The Distance (online) EMBA program is open to those who hold a bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution.  Any undergraduate major is acceptable. If the baccalaureate degree is in business, it needs to be from an AACSB accredited college or university or its equivalent.

The college is primarily concerned with the candidate’s fitness for graduate study and promise of effective business performance. A judgment of these qualities is made from the following information: undergraduate record, results of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), letters of recommendation, a written personal statement indicating the candidate’s educational and career objectives, a resume detailing professional experience.

The applicant will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in oral and written communication in English. The written communication requirements are fulfilled by submitting a written statement indicating the candidate’s educational and career objectives and other writing samples the applicant may wish to have considered. Applicants need to have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and be able to use it for word processing and spreadsheets.

Admission Standards

The following are the minimum standards required for admission to the Distance (online) Executive MBA in the College of Business

1. The applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from a four-year institution.
2. The applicant must have an overall grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
3. The applicant must have significant professional work experience beyond undergraduate studies.
4. The applicant must submit the GMAT results prior to admission. Please visit the following website for GMAT information: http://www.gmac.org.
5. International students must have a minimum TOEFL score of 550 or above (paper-based test) or 213 or above (computer-based test) or 79 or above (internet based TOEFL). For IELTS, you must have a score of 7 or above. The TOEFL is waived for students who have completed degree programs conducted in English in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia or New Zealand.

Information Technology Requirements

Given the importance of information technology in delivery of courses of the Distance (online) EMBA program, successful applicants should:

• Be proficient operating in a conversant online environment (e.g. a current and active LinkedIn profile).
• Have access to computer technologies that will allow them to interact with others online (e.g. webcam and microphone).
• Be proficient with MS Excel, PowerPoint, and other MS Office or related business productivity software packages.

Application Process

To apply to the EMBA program, submit the following to the UNR Graduate School:

1. A completed online Application for Admission.
2. Three letters of recommendation.  You can choose to have a hard copy of the letter of recommendation sent to the graduate school or you can provide an email address on the online application for each of the individuals you wish to have submit a letter of recommendation electronically.
3. One copy of official transcripts from each college or university where work has been completed. 
4. The official report of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

The following is to be submitted to the MBA Office, College of Business:

1. A current detailed resume, and
2. A personal statement indicating the applicant’s educational and career objectives.

Application Period

All admission applications and credentials must be received in the Graduate School by arch 15 to be considered for the fall semester.  The UNR MBA Office may consider accepting admission applications for spring semester if deemed necessary.

The MBA Policy Committee reviews all applications and makes admissions decisions. For more information, contact the College of Business MBA Office at (775) 784-4912.

Advisement

The Distance (online) Executive MBA degree is offered as a college-wide program. Advisement is provided by the College of Business director of MBA program and the associate director of the MBA program.

Academic Standards and Probation

Graduate students in the College of Business Administration who do not maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in all graduate courses are placed on probation. Students on probation may be prohibited from further enrollment if they fail to raise their overall GPA to at least 3.0 by the end of the first probationary semester. Exceptions are made only at the discretion of the COB director of graduate programs and the graduate school dean and may then be for a single additional semester if warranted. Additional information on graduate academic standards requirements is included in the Graduate School section of this catalog. Continuous Matriculation

Graduate students are required to maintain continuous enrollment during their participation in the  Distance (online) Executive MBA program. The program includes a cohort of 12 online courses in a lockstep, planned curriculum. The students of each cohort begin the program at the same point, move through the curriculum together, and complete the degree requirements for graduation at the same time in 2 years.