Frequently Asked Questions

General Program Questions

Schedule/Logistics

Application and Admission Questions

Assessment Center (AC) Questions

 

General Program Questions

How is the Executive MBA different from the evening or weekend program?
The main differences are in the class characteristics, program structure and program duration.

Class Characteristics: Each cohort is made up of seasoned professionals with broad management experience.

A profile of a current Executive MBA class:
• Average of 15 years of professional experience
• Average age is 39
• Executive and general management, IT, sales/marketing, human capital, law, finance, government, non-profit, and accounting are some of the sectors represented.

Program Structure: Executive MBA courses are carefully crafted to cover business problems and concepts from the perspective of high-level company decision makers. The program is made up of three unique but interrelated and interdependent components:

The Foundation – Smith School’s strong MBA core courses establish a broad functional knowledge framework for participants to build on.
The Project – The Action Learning Projects allow participants to tie their learning directly to specific company needs by tackling a real time problem currently facing the participant's company.  Projects focus on Business Process Reengineering, Change Management/Leadership, and Entrepreneurship.
Mastery – This component covers a range of topic areas related to leadership and management excellence.  A formalized leadership development program complete with individualized executive coaching is integrated into the curriculum.

Program Duration: The Executive MBA is completed in 18 months (versus 28 to 36 for the evening or weekend MBA programs). Participants will receive comprehensive administrative support from executive education staff.

Are there scholarships available?

Yes. The school offers partial, merit-based scholarships designed to help executives from  attain their career and leadership goals. Executives in all industries are encouraged to apply. Scholarship applications will be accepted until September 1, 2008 for the class beginning in November 2008. Applicants will be judged on merit and an essay. For more information about the program or the Smith School’s EMBA scholarships, contact Edward Lavino, e-mail: elavino@rhsmith.umd.edu, ph: 301-405-8835.

Is this an accredited degree I’ll receive?
Yes. The Smith School of Business is accredited by the AACSB (American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business) and your diploma will read Masters of Business Administration.

Are the Executive MBA professors Smith School faculty?
Yes. The same faculty that teach the full- and part-time MBA students will be teaching the Executive MBA course. In addition, influential visiting speakers will participate in special presentations and group discussions.

What kind of access will I have to professors?
All professors will be available online and through scheduled appointments. You will work one-on-one with a Smith faculty member for your Action Learning Project, and each participant will have an executive coach they will work with throughout the entire 18-month program.

How much of the program is done online?
None of the course work is done online. All teaching happens in the classroom. Groups, however, may choose to work virtually between classes. Virtual team interaction and group collaboration are facilitated through Blackboard.

Are there electives?
At two points during the program, EMBA students will have the opportunity to delve into electives. Faculty prepare a list of possible electives and then cohort members vote on the classes to take. It is possible to take elective with other Smith EMBA programs in China.
* International travel is not included in the tuition.

Do I need to have a laptop?
Yes.  The laptop should have a wireless network card (802.11 G preferred) and Microsoft Office installed.

What is the cost of the EMBA Program?
Executive MBA tuition is $94,000, including a $2,500 nonrefundable deposit. Tuition is all-inclusive and covers all books and required materials, student and administrative fees, parking, accommodations, and all meals. There is no differentiation between in-state and out-of-state tuition.

How can I learn more about the program?
We are hosting information sessions throughout the Washington, D.C., metro area. You may also contact us with questions at 301-405-9559 or embainfo@rhsmith.umd.edu.

 

Schedule/Logistics

When do classes meet?
Classes generally run Fridays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Classes are held every other weekend. There will be dinner and evening sessions most Friday nights.

Where are classes held?
Classes are held at Van Munching Hall on the College Park campus. Breakfast, dinner and evening sessions will be at the Marriott Inn and Conference Center where participants reside during the weekend sessions.

How many hours a week will I be in class?
You will be actively engaged in academic work for up to 21.5 hours each session (every other week). In addition to class, you will be spending time in team meetings and other group work.

What about homework?
You will average approximately one hour of class out of class work for each hour spent in class plus approximately five hours per week for the Action Learning Project.

What’s the timeframe for each session/semester?
The program is divided info five terms, each lasting between 12 and 14 weeks. The Action Learning take place in terms 2, 3 and 4.

Are there any vacation breaks?
No, this is an accelerated program. There is, however, a short break between each term with no deliverables.

Do you have Residence Sessions? Where are they?
During each weekend block of classes, participants will reside at a conference center on or near campus. The program begins and ends with one week residencies.

What if I travel a long distance to attend classes? Where can I stay?
All participants will be housed at the Program Conference Center. These accommodations, along with meals, are included as part of the tuition and required as part of the program. Arrangements can be made for early arrivals.

Do I have to stay at the Inn and Conference Center? What if I live near by?
Staying with your classmates is a required part of the program and most teams will appreciate the chance to work together onsite. It is also the perfect opportunity to build personal and professional ties that will last a lifetime. Accommodations, along with meals are included as port of the tuition.

 

Application and Admission Questions

What are the required qualifications?
Most of our applicants are individuals with at least a 4 year undergraduate degree with a 3.0 GPA, between eight and twenty years of professional experience and significant management experience. Each candidate will be reviewed as a unique individual and the sum of his or her experiences evaluated during the admissions process.

Do I have to take the GMAT?
No. Because we limit the size of each class to no more than 40 participants, we are able to evaluate each applicant on an individual and very personal basis. Therefore, we do not require a quantitative screening device like the GMAT.

Are there any pre-skill courses I can take to be ready for the program?
Ivy software offers online diagnostics and CD-based prep courses in finance, accounting, statistics and mathematics. Please contact us if you are interested in using their services.

Who in my company should I talk to about sponsoring me?
Choosing to take part in an Executive MBA program is about your own personal growth, as well as how your participation can help the company grow. Seek out support at the highest levels – not just your immediate supervisor – and be ready to point out the extra benefits of the Smith Executive Program, specifically the Action Learning Project.

How do I explain the program benefits to my company?
While most executive education programs talk about students being able to immediately apply newfound knowledge to workplace situations, Smith makes such a connection even more immediate and relevant. From the start, the Action Learning Project allows participants to tackle a real time issue facing their company as part of their coursework. The company will have a team of Executive MBA students and Smith faculty applying knowledge and manpower to company issues. This is more than just an immediate return on investment from the sponsored employee – the company is essentially receiving full-blown consulting services at a minimal price. In addition, the Mastery coursework will have an immediate impact on your managerial and leadership skills.

Is financial aid available?
The Robert H. Smith School of Business does not offer financial aid for the Executive MBA. First, work with your company to see if they are willing to cover part or all of your tuition. If you will be covering all or part of your tuition you may want to investigate financial aid options available to MBA students.

Assistance is available through the Office of Financial Aid - our contact is Malina Heng and she can be reached at 301.314.9859. Information is available at www.umd.edu/FIN.

The school offers partial, merit-based scholarships designed to help executives from  attain their career and leadership goals. Executives in all industries are encouraged to apply. Scholarship applications will be accepted until September 1, 2008 for the class beginning in November 2008. Applicants will be judged on merit and an essay. For more information about the program or the Smith School’s EMBA scholarships, contact Edward Lavino, e-mail: elavino@rhsmith.umd.edu, ph: 301-405-8835.

 

Assessment Center (AC) Questions

What will I be doing at the AC?
Throughout the day you will be participating in a series of exercises that will require you to assume a variety of leadership roles. Common types of simulations include:

  1. In-Basket Exercises (in which participants are asked to deal with the administrative tasks - memos, reports, etc. - associated with senior level managerial jobs);

  2. Interview Simulations (in which participants are asked to meet with direct reports, customers, etc.);

  3. Leaderless Group Discussions (in which participants meet with coworkers to resolve a particular problem); and

  4. Presentation Exercises (in which participants analyze a particular problem and offer recommendations). You will also be asked to complete a couple of standardized tests.
     

During the AC orientation you will be provided more specific information about the day's activities.

Which of my skills will be assessed?
The AC simulations are designed to tap a variety of competencies critical for leadership success, including: Oral Communication, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Customer Service Orientation, Analysis/Problem-Solving, Strategic Thinking, Judgment/Decision Making, Decisiveness, Process Leadership, Persuasion and Influence, Dealing with Conflict, Teamwork, Initiative, Delegation, Coaching and Developing, Planning and Organizing, Self Confidence, and Stress Tolerance.