…You’ve been a manager for a while, but realize you need a more strategic perspective. 

Have you been a manager for a while, but realize you need a more strategic perspective?  “One of the most common reasons that I hear from people pursuing executive programs—whether degree or non-degree programs—is that they want to be more strategic decision-makers,” said Tom Hambury, former director of executive programs at the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University. “They want to know that they are considering all the possibilities when making decisions, they want a solid breadth of background, and more formal study in management tends to assure that breadth of vision.” 

…You want a broader perspective than the one you’ve gained working in one industry or company only. 

“When you want the option to pursue other jobs or careers, you need both the knowledge and the credentials that an Executive MBA (EMBA) program can provide,” Hambury explained. “It is an efficient way of getting this knowledge; if you tried to acquire this experience through different jobs, it would take much longer.” 

…Your company needs to solve some major issues but won’t or can’t employ consultants. 

“The benefit of executive education to both employers and participants is that it often provides a forum for them to solve problems, develop strategies, and implement goals,” pointed  out Larry Abeln, former director of executive education at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. “Rather than employ consultants, a company may find through executive education programs that many employees within their own company have the answers.” 

…You are having difficulty learning new skills within your work environment. 

“Employees can grow personally and professionally by acquiring an additional toolkit of skills (communication, finance, strategy, leadership), which are more easily acquired outside the work place,” Abeln explained. 

…Lack of inter-departmental communication has begun to hamper company-wide progress.

 “Executive education allows individuals and organizations to share best practices with others in a neutral setting, in a classroom environment with expertise from faculty,” Abeln noted. “This can provide a structure whereby strategy and goals can be openly discussed and explored in a way that may be difficult within organizations.”

Executive MBA Programs

Executive MBA (EMBA) programs provide a compelling alternative to full-time MBA programs.  Many of Forte’s academic member schools offer EMBA programs.  Explore their opportunities and events, and discover if an EMBA may be the right fit for you.

• Alliance Manchester Global MBA
• Arizona State University W. P. Carey School of Business
• Boston University (Questrom School of Business)
• Columbia Business School EMBA
• Cornell University (Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management) Executive MBA
• Drexel University (LeBow College of Business)
• Duke University (Fuqua School of Business)
• EDHEC Business School
• Emory University (Goizueta Business School)
• ESADE Business School Executive MBA
• Georgetown McDonough School of Business
• HEC Paris Executive MBA
• IE University Executive MBA
• IMD Business School Executive MBA
• INSEAD Global Executive MBA
• Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Executive Education
• London Business School
• NYU Stern School of Business
• Northeastern University (D'Amore-McKim School of Business)
• The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business
• Queen's University (Smith School of Business)

• Rice Business Working Professional MBA Programs
• Santa Clara University (Leavey School of Business)
• University of California - Berkeley (Haas School of Business)
• University of California - Irvine (Paul Merage School of Business)
• University of California - Los Angeles (Anderson School of Management)
• University of Cambridge - (Judge Business School)
• University of Florida (Warrington College of Business)
• University of Houston (C.T. Bauer College of Business)
• University of Iowa (Tippie College of Business)
• University of Michigan (Ross School of Business)
• University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School
• University of Notre Dame (Mendoza College of Business)
• University of Rochester (Simon Business School)
• The University of Texas at Dallas (Jindal School of Management Professional MBA and Executive MBA)
• University of Virginia (Darden School of Business)
• University of Wisconsin-Madison (Wisconsin School of Business)

Non-Credit Executive Education Programs

Not every step toward senior leadership requires a degree. If you are not ready to commit to a full Executive MBA, many of Forté's academic members also offer non-credit executive education: short courses and certificate programs that run over days or weeks rather than years, in person or online. Visit the executive education pages of the schools listed above to see what each one currently offers.