Executive Education Programs That Offer the Best Global Experience

The global economic environment continues to evolve. Companies face new regional and technology challenges and need executives to help them adapt to changing environments. To help their companies and their careers, many mid-level and senior professionals go back to school for additional management training. While EMBA programs exist in every region, there are a few that stand out for their reputation and quality. Here is a rundown on four of the strongest programs that offer a global education.

EMBA – Global Americas and Europe

The EMBA – Global Americas and Europe program is a joint venture between Columbia University in New York and the London Business School. The program meets for one week or less per month and alternates between the two cities. Four cohorts are accepted per year: early fall, late fall, early spring, and late spring. The first three modules feature the core program is completed once per month over 11 months.

The final two segments allow students to tailor their degree to meet their specific career objectives.These courses are offered in a variety of formats. You can take a course over 10 weeks with morning or afternoon sessions, a one-week intensive program, or ten-week alternative weekend program. Courses are not only offered in London and New York, but also in Hong Kong. Students take 10 courses over 1 to 3 years. Offerings include Behavioral Economics, Project Management, and Asian Business and Economy.

The admissions committee at the EMBA looks for mid-career professionals with international experience. Candidates should have a demonstrated track record for success and show the potential to be global business leaders.

Tuition is just over $200,000 which covers coursework, books and materials, and daily meals during the core program. It does not include transportation or lodging costs. Many students have their fees paid by their companies. Two partial scholarships for students financing their own educations are offered.

Recent graduates have come from companies such as YouTube, Tesla, and HSBC bank. Students also have the advantage of tapping into both schools’ alumni network, which together number more than 81,000.

The INSEAD Global Executive MBA Executive

The INSEAD Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) program lasts 14 to 17 month and offers courses in France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. Students commit to spending 12 weeks on campus during the course. Students should expect to spend 10 to 12 hours studying when they are not in class.

The program includes 11 required courses, 4 electives, 3 projects, and a business simulation. Professors are drawn from all over the world and many have extensive real-world global business success.

The admissions committee looks for students with proven leadership skills, academic ability, and an international outlook. They need to contribute to both the class and the larger global business community.

GEMBA tuition varies by campus but averages €123,000. While most students are supported by their companies, self-paying students have the opportunity to break the payment into four installments. INSEAD also has a number of scholarships, many of which are reserved to diversify the class.

57% of alumni work in Europe, 17% in Asia, and 8% in North America. 58,000 alumni (of all programs) are located across 176 countries. There are 49 active alumni clubs.

Executive Master of Global Management – Arizona Cohort

While it is not a traditional MBA, Thunderbird’s Executive Master of Global Management provides flexible executive education that fits the schedule of busy leaders. Students spend week-long intensive residence modules at the beginning and end of the program. In between, they take courses every other weekend. Students also participate in Global Field Seminars. Recent trips included Rio de Janeiro, Casablanca, Beijing, and Prague.

Because this is an MGM rather than an MBA, students have significant freedom to select elective modules for their program. Options include Sustainable Tourism, Digital Audience Strategy, and Healthcare Delivery. Students may also design their own concentration. All students are expected to engage in a 6-unit client-facing applied learning program, which could include an internship, field seminar, or corporate partnership.

The program covers 49 credit hours in 4 semesters. Current ASU undergraduates may be accepted in a 4+1 program.

The average student is 30 years old and are somewhat younger than those in other executive education programs. Classes include a mix of mid-career professionals and senior executives. The average student has six years of work experience. Students come from 43 countries.

Potential students are evaluated on past academic performance, test scores, and global leadership potential. In addition to the admissions office in Arizona, Thunderbird has representatives in India and China.

The program’s tuition is $70,000 over two years. About 96% of students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans. US students may qualify for federal financial aid, including Stafford and Grad Plus loans.

The alumni office continues to support students after they graduate. There is a well-developed mentorship program and annual reunions. The 2019 reunion was held in Tokyo, Japan.

LBS Executive Education Programmes

If you need advanced business training but not necessarily a degree, the London Business School’s Executive Education Programmes may meet your needs.

Offered on the London and Dubai campuses as well as online, the programs can be customized to your professional focus. For instance, a certificate in management requires courses in leadership, strategy, and finance, while a digital transformation certificate helps marketing leaders adjust to a changing online environment. Two cohort programs, the Accelerated Development Programme and the Senior Executive Programme, feature groups of students studying together in an integrated course. Courses are available that apply to new graduates, mid-level managers, and senior leaders. Courses can include attacking a unique business challenge, one-on-one mentoring, or a corporate visit.

Instructors include LBS faculty and guest lecturers from the global business community. Some courses are held in intensive week-long seminars, while others meet once per week for five or six weeks. Tuition ranges from £6300 for weekend courses to £33,500 for the Senior Executive Programme. Costs are borne by the student or their company. Microsoft, ING, and Renault are among the leading companies that send their senior leaders to LBS executive programs.

The Executive MBA Americas

The Executive MBA Americas is a joint EMBA program between Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management in New York and the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada. It offers the prestige and caliber of an ivy league education but with the added convenience of multiple locations throughout North America. Featuring cohorts in Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Mexico City, Montreal, Vancouver, and more, the Executive MBA Americas program is strategically designed to bring together high-achieving professionals from across the continent. Nearly 51% of its student body are international, and this diversity is important for generating thoughtful and productive conversations about the global market.

In general, the Executive MBA Americas is an excellent program for peer learning opportunities. According to their 2020 class profile, up to 34% of the enrolled students already hold an advanced degree, which demonstrates their level of expertise and commitment to advancement.

In addition to the remote cohort meetings, residential sessions are also provided in New York and Ontario, two cities with tremendous impact over economics in the region.

Overall, Ivy Exec members ranked the Executive MBA Americas program #12 for providing a global experience, #7 for career advancement opportunities, and #8 for work-life balance.

When to Begin Your Executive MBA

There is never a perfect time to go back to school, but the benefits of executive education begin immediately and will continue throughout your career. Choosing a program through Columbia/LBS, INSEAD, Thunderbird, or the London School of Business’ Executive Education programme can produce a lifetime of benefits.

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Read reviews for the best executive MBA programs for a global education.

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