EMBA
ADMISSIONS

Occasionally, we will admit a student with less than five years of managerial experience if his or her career path is well developed in the desired profession and other qualifications are exceptionally strong.

No. While general admission requirements are similar, the limited cohort of up to 15 Americas students from each school is required to ensure a rich, balanced experience.

Vanderbilt requires all prospective students to complete either the GMAT or Executive Assessment (EA) in order to receive an admission decision. These test scores help us ensure that applicants possess the quantitative and verbal skills to be successful in the Executive MBA program. Either our complimentary online math/statistics course and/or complimentary Executive MBA Camp, held on Saturdays in July, may be required based on your test scores. We are a rigorous, quantitative MBA degree program. You will find that testing preparation enables you to move at the speed of our classroom.

Requirements include: 

Because of the strong quantitative nature of Vanderbilt's MBA programs, we require the GMAT or the Executive Assessment (EA) as proof of proficiency with numbers and as an academic benchmark to compare candidates. This standard enables us to provide a rich learning environment. 

Our grading system is as follows: SP (Superior Pass) = 4.0; HP (High Pass) = 3.5; P (Pass) = 3.0; LP (Low Pass) = 2.5; F (Fail) = 0.0. Some test grades are numeric. At the beginning of each course, the syllabus will establish the criteria by which the course grade is computed. Please keep in mind that each class grade is a combination of your individual test scores and individual or team assignments, presentations and special projects. A grade of 2.0 is required to graduate.

A C-Team usually has four to five members, maximizing diversity in industries and backgrounds. C-Teams are comprised of members whose depth of experience casts them in roles of CFO or CAO/CEO, COO, CIO, CMO, CPO and CHRO. The teams are arranged at the beginning of the Week-in-Residence, and they remain intact throughout the entire program.

Throughout the 21 months it takes to complete the Vanderbilt Executive MBA program, a typical student studies 20 hours per week outside of class and work time. Much of the work is completed by the individual, and in year two, many assignments are completed by the C-Team (assigned study group).

All graduates of Vanderbilt degree programs are invited to participate in the May graduation (for all Owen Graduate School of Management graduates) following completion of degree requirements.

A laptop computer is recommended for success in the program. In addition, Executive MBA students use a VOIP product and an electronic blackboard to enable online meeting collaboration and updates from faculty and the Vanderbilt Executive MBA office.

There may be a time when an unavoidable event dictates an absence; for example, if you become ill or an important family or work commitment arises. However, in order to enable graduation, Executive MBA students must cover a large amount of material on Saturdays. In those rare cases when you must miss a class, you must clear your absence with the faculty. Exams are not to be missed. Individual faculty members reserve the right to refuse makeup exams. In addition, someone from your C-Team needs to be willing to share class notes and handouts. You should make every effort to learn the missed material and prepare for the next set of classes so that you don't risk falling significantly behind in any courses.

Yes, our Executive MBA program is accredited by the AACSB, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the world's leading accrediting association. To achieve and retain AACSB accreditation, a business school must meet a wide range of rigorous quality standards, including an approved curriculum, a high quality of research produced, appropriate admissions criteria and graduation requirements and a library and computer facilities. No national or regional accreditation is more demanding or prestigious than that of AACSB.

Yes. Students earn the Vanderbilt Master of Business Administration (MBA) by completing 60 academic credit hours. The programs are distinguished by students' ages, experience levels and the EMBA curriculum's deeper core and strategic integration courses. 

The Vanderbilt Executive MBA program enrolls approximately 50 students each August. The largest class was 62 students.