An executive business program can be completed part-time

EMBAs offer a rigorous business curriculum, but—unlike many MBA programs—students are not expected to study full-time. Instead, EMBA courses are scheduled to accommodate students who already work full-time. While each school offers different timetables, most EMBA program courses are held in the evenings or on the weekends. Total in-class time also varies between business schools, but generally it is between 6 and 12 hours per week.

While that is a significant commitment, it is also manageable for someone who is pursuing their own career at the same time. Rather than being the exception, it is completely normal for students to work while studying for an EMBA.

If you’re interested in learning more about EMBA programs and how they are structured, check out this article.

EMBA programs cater to candidates who already have professional experience

A good sign that EMBAs are designed for busy professionals is the fact that the vast majority of people who undertake them already have many years of professional experience. For instance, our research shows that 63 percent of EMBA applicants have 10 years or more of professional experience while a further 25 percent have between 6 to 10 years of experience.

In fact, many schools consider working experience a minimum qualification for entry to an EMBA and, as an executive business program candidate, you’ll find business schools will see your current and past work experience as an asset. That’s why EMBA programs don’t expect you to quit your job for the sake of an education—rather, they are there to accelerate your career.

As Jenn, an EMBA student, says, “The Executive MBA program really gives me the opportunity to continue with my career progression while going to school. It was important to me not to stop my own career. I'm a working mother and really don't have time to take any time off.”

The Executive Assessment is designed for busy professionals pursuing EMBAs

Even the process of applying to an executive business program is structured with candidates’ busy schedules in mind. A case in point is the Executive Assessment, which is used during the admissions process by many EMBA programs. The Executive Assessment is adapted to busy professionals. It requires only minimal preparation, takes just 90 minutes to complete, and offers flexible test dates. That means that completing it is perfectly manageable if you are working full-time.

As test-taker Eliza says, “I found the Executive Assessment easy to fit into my lifestyle. I woke up early, studied in the mornings.” Eliza adds that “I'm more of a morning person, so studied in the mornings about an hour. I did it over the course of about a month.” Because the Executive Assessment typically requires about 21 to 30 hours of preparation time, this time commitment was all she needed to feel prepared to take the test.

In addition, studying for the Executive Assessment can help you learn how to balance work, school, and personal commitments. Eliza, for example, says, “…I felt like it also prepared me well for getting back in the mindset of school because it helped me schedule out my day so I could actually be effective at studying, be effective at work, and then be effective in my personal life.”

Are you ready to take your career to the next level?

Find out how the Executive Assessment can help make you a stronger Executive MBA candidate.