Curriculum
at a glance

If you want a world-class MBA with comprehensive curriculum options that pays lasting dividends, you’ve come to the right place. During the first year of the program, all students share the same curriculum and classroom on alternating Saturdays at Vanderbilt. You will receive a strong foundation in leadership and strategy as well as the quantitative building blocks you’ll need for the rest of the program – and your career. During the second year of the program, your schedule and curriculum will differ depending on which track you choose, Executive Edge or Global Immersion.

Fall
Year One

Both Tracks

Course
Week in Residence, New Harmony, IN
Financial Accounting
Managerial Economics
Managerial Statistics
Organizational Behavior

Spring
Year One

Both Tracks

Course
Business Ethics
Corporate Valuation
Managerial Accounting
Managerial Finance
Operations Management

Summer
Year One

Both Tracks

Course
Macroeconomics
Marketing Management

Fall
Year Two

Executive Edge Track

Course
Business Strategy
Corporate Financial Policy
Creating and Launching New Ventures
Global Innovation Strategy
Negotiation
Operations Topics
Domestic Capstone Strategy Project (Fall & Spring)

Spring
Year Two

Executive Edge Track

Course
Global Enterprise
Marketing Strategy
Strategic Human Resources Management
International Residency
Domestic Capstone Strategy Project (Fall & Spring)

May Graduation

Fall
Year Two

Global ImmersionTrack

CANADA (August)
Course
Cross-Cultural Management
Global Strategy

BRAZIL (October)
Course
Corporate Social Responsibility
Strategic Management for Emerging Markets
International Capstone Strategy Project (Fall & Spring)

Spring
Year Two

Global ImmersionTrack

MEXICO (January)
Course
Competitiveness and Strategy
Family Business

UNITED STATES (April)
Course
Creating and Launching New Ventures
Global Innovation Strategy
International Capstone Strategy Project (Fall & Spring)

May Graduation

FAQ

Program Information

Q. What is the grading system?
A.

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 3.0 is required to graduate.

Q. How much time will I need to devote to the program?
A.

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. Part is individual work, but particularly in year two, a lot of work is accomplished by the C-Team (assigned study group).

Q. When is graduation?
A.

All Executive MBA students graduate in May and are included in Vanderbilt Commencement, following completion of degree requirements.

Q. Is a laptop computer required?
A.

A laptop computer is recommended for success in the program. Executive MBA students use a learning management system, BrightSpace, which provides course materials, a platform for meeting collaboration and updates from Vanderbilt Executive faculty and staff.

Q. Is it okay to miss school occasionally?
A.

There may be a time when an unavoidable event dictates an absence. However, in order to graduate, Executive MBA students must cover a large amount of material on Saturdays. In the rare case when you must miss a class, you must clear your absence with the faculty. Exams are not to be missed. Individual faculty 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.

Q. Is the Executive MBA program accredited?
A.

Yes, our Executive MBA program is accredited by the AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which is the world's leading accrediting association. To achieve and retain AACSB International 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 International.

Q. Is this the same degree as the daytime MBA program?
A.

Yes. The degree earned is the Vanderbilt Master of Business Administration (MBA). The differences are in the age/experience level of students and in the specific electives in weekly curriculum replaced by deeper core and strategic integration courses in EMBA curriculum.

Q. What is the size of the program? How many students are in each track?
A.

The Vanderbilt Executive MBA program enrolls approximately 50 students each August. Up to 15 students will be in the Global Immersion Track.

Q. How long is the program? Do both tracks finish at the same time?
A.

You will complete the program in 21 months regardless of the track you choose. Vanderbilt's program begins in August with the Week-in-Residence in New Harmony, Indiana. Classes are then held on the Vanderbilt campus two Saturdays per month in Year One. In Year Two, Executive Edge students will continue the alternating Saturday schedule until graduation in early May. Alternately, in Year Two, Global Immersion students will attend four residencies in August (Vancouver), October (Sao Paulo), January (Mexico City), and April (Nashville) with a Capstone Strategy Project to be completed by early May. Both tracks graduate together in May.

Q. How many students are in a C-Team? Do C-Teams change membership during the course of the program?
A.

A C-Team usually has four to five members, maximizing diversity in industries and backgrounds. C-Teams comprise members whose depth of experience casts them in roles of CFO or CAO/CEO, COO, CIO, CMO, CPO and CHRO. The teams are composed at the beginning of the Week-in-Residence. The C-Teams for both the Executive Edge and Global Immersion tracks will adjust at the beginning of Year Two. This gives students on both tracks the opportunity to work closely with more students in the program.

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