SMITH-GSBA Global Executive MBA Program

About the SMITH-GSBA Global EMBA

GSBA Classroom18 Weeks of Intense Instruction
The SMITH-GSBA Global EMBA program consists of nine blocks (six 2-week blocks and three 3-day blocks) that take place once a month. Executives may take the blocks at their own pace, but must complete a minimum of nine blocks to finish the program. Students based in College Park can travel to GSBA Zϋrich , in Switzerland, and to Beijing, China, for their global blocks. The remaining blocks are conducted in College Park.

Courses will be jointly taught by GSBA Zϋrich and Smith School faculty in the three learning locations, and will focus on delivering GSBA's living case approach which allows students to work directly with companies as consultants. The entire program takes approximately 24 months to complete, but must be completed in 36 months. Like all Smith EMBA degrees this is a 54-credit program.

Real-Time Consulting Experience
A unique component of the program is the "living case" competition. Hired as real-time consultants, executives will be challenged with a real-world problem from a local company. Working in teams to deliver the best solutions to their companies, executives compete for first-, second- and third-place in the competition. Along with the accomplishment of a first-place finish, is the satisfaction of knowing that the winning team's solution will be implemented by the company. (Pictured, right, "A Winning Team!") ►May 2007 Living Case

Applicant Profile
Each applicant is considered on a case by case basis. Many applicants will have:

  • 8-10 years of managerial experience
  • A bachelor's degree
  • International experience, currently managing employees around the globe
  • Exceptional communications skills and significant functional business experience

The Global EMBA Degree
Upon successful completion of the SMITH-GSBA Global EMBA -- with studies in Switzerland, China and the United States -- executives receive two MBA degrees, that of GSBA Zϋrich and that of the University of Maryland, College Park, which is AACSB-accredited.  AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business is the oldest and most important accreditation authority for business studies and institutions worldwide.

For more information about this program, please contact LeAnne Dagnall.

►About GSBA Zϋrich