Executive MBA
Executive MBA
Lead with Confidence Through Complexity
AI, emerging technologies and rapidly shifting dynamics are adding new layers to business challenges—and changing what organizations need from their leaders. For established professionals, maintaining your edge means continually adapting how you apply your experience, judgment and expertise.
The Smith Executive MBA prepares you to lead with greater clarity, confidence and impact. In an intensive 15-month program, you’ll connect your functional knowledge to the full enterprise and sharpen your strategic judgment. Alongside accomplished peers, you’ll exchange insights, explore business challenges through diverse perspectives and build lasting relationships—expanding your capacity to lead and advance your career.
Designed for high-potential leaders preparing for senior leadership and C-suite roles, the program equips you to take on broader executive responsibilities.
17
Average years of experience
8+
Years of progressive professional experience
3+
Years of management experience
3.0+
GPA
45%
Hold graduate degrees
44%
Average salary increase three years after graduation
Executive MBA at a Glance
Start Date
January 2027
Program Duration
15 months
Class Schedule
Two weekends a month
Residencies
Opening and Capstone
Prerequisites
No GMAT/GRE required
Program Highlights
Leading through uncertainty and volatility takes an executive mindset, a broad understanding of business and the ability to turn knowledge into action. The Smith Executive MBA combines core business foundations with applied projects and team-based experiences that help you translate new concepts into decisions and actions you can use immediately at work. You’ll strengthen your executive presence, learn to better manage people and processes, and build networks of influence—preparing you to navigate complex challenges and act on new opportunities.
Learn from expert faculty connected to the region’s business leaders and policy-makers, with industry speakers helping you stay current with the evolving business landscape.
Exchange insights with leaders across industries, explore diverse perspectives and build relationships that expand your network and strengthen your thinking.
Develop self-awareness, executive presence and strategic judgment through assessments and a personalized development plan, while strengthening your communication and negotiation skills.
Work with your own executive coach to understand what drives you and strengthen your leadership effectiveness. Benefit from additional career coaching and a dedicated liaison for military participants.
Gain the understanding and confidence to evaluate AI and emerging technologies, guide adoption and apply these tools to improve decisions, operations and growth.
Choose electives aligned with your professional goals and interests, building on your understanding of core business functions.
Turn learning into action through a consulting project focused on your organization, connecting business functions and driving immediate, on-the-job impact.
Broaden your perspective through an optional international study experience during Winter Term.
Earn your Executive MBA in 15 months, with only 26 days away from work.
Smith is Recognized for Executive Leadership
#1
Top Graduate School for Entrepreneurship, Mid-Atlantic Region — The Princeton Review, 2025
#2
Executive MBA in the DMV — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
#17
Executive MBA, U.S. — QS, 2026
Expand Your Leadership Perspective
As your responsibilities grow, success depends on more than expertise in your current function. The Smith Executive MBA helps you see the enterprise more strategically—connecting finance, operations, marketing, people, technology and strategy so you can make better decisions across the organization.
You’ll learn alongside accomplished professionals with deep experience across industries, functions, government and entrepreneurship. Their perspectives become part of the learning experience, challenging you to question assumptions, consider new possibilities and expand your approach to leadership.
Become a Purposeful Leader
Leadership is more effective when it is grounded in self-awareness, purpose and a clear understanding of the impact you want to make. Smith’s Purposeful Leader Journey is designed to help you understand your strengths, clarify what matters to you and translate those insights into action.
You’ll begin with executive assessments and work with a certified executive leadership coach to create a personalized leadership development plan, with actionable steps and measurable benchmarks. Throughout the program, coaching, assessments, curriculum and mastery sessions work together to help you become a more focused, effective and purposeful leader.
View the Purposeful Leader Journey Roadmap
Executive Leadership Coaching
Your executive leadership coach serves as a mentor and trusted advisor throughout the program. Integrated into the curriculum, Smith’s executive coaching helps you strengthen your leadership style, build on your strengths and identify opportunities for growth.
You’ll also work with a career coach who supports your professional growth and advancement during the program and beyond. Together, these resources create a leadership development experience that extends well beyond graduation.
An Executive MBA Designed Around Your Life
The Smith Executive MBA is built for leaders with demanding professional and personal commitments. Classes meet two weekends a month, with an average of three days on campus each month. Hybrid options are available when other obligations prevent you from attending in person, and you can expect additional self-paced work, readings, projects and group work between class sessions.
Over 15 months, you’ll be away from work for approximately 26 days, including an Opening Residency and a culminating Capstone Residency. This focused format lets you immerse yourself in the program while continuing to lead at work and at home.
Learn From Influential Faculty
Smith faculty bring deep research expertise, business insight and real-world perspective into the Executive MBA classroom. They challenge experienced professionals to think strategically, question assumptions and apply new ideas to the problems leaders are solving today.
Many Smith faculty are closely connected to business leaders, policymakers and organizations throughout the region and beyond. Their expertise spans strategy, finance, innovation, leadership, technology, human capital and other areas shaping modern business.
Anil K. Gupta
Michael Faulkender
Rajshree Agarwal
Where Smith Executive MBAs Make Their Mark
Smith Executive MBA Alumni Insights
“The program changed how I approach problem solving and gave me opportunities to advance my career in healthcare. I use the skills I gained every day—from navigating ethics and global supply chains to improving employee satisfaction.”
Dr. Dawn Walton, EMBA ’20
Vice President of Medical Affairs, Holy Cross Hospital
“The commitment to growing students’ leadership skills and capacity was one of the most helpful aspects. Executive coaching was immensely helpful as I was exploring career growth and leadership opportunities.”
Sylvia Bugg, EMBA ’12
Chief Programming Executive & General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS
“The EMBA program taught me a lot about being a global business leader but more importantly, taught me a lot about myself. I use what I learned every day.”
Aaron Demory, EMBA ’19
Chief, Information Security and Technology, FDIC
“I wanted professors who were in tune with real-world needs and applications. The professors were always open to taking time to talk, not just in class but outside of class. I still email professors now if I have a question. The program put all the pieces together in a way that was really an eye-opener for me.”
Alex Attumalil, EMBA ’20
Deputy Chief Information Security Officer
Under Armour
Is the Smith Executive MBA Right for You?
The Smith Executive MBA is designed for high-potential leaders on a trajectory toward significant leadership and C-suite roles. Most candidates have at least 8 years of progressive professional experience and 3 years of management experience, with many bringing substantially more.
You may be a strong fit if you’re ready to broaden your perspective beyond your current function, invest in your development as a leader and use your experience to make a lasting difference—for the people you lead, your organization and your industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
The EMBA was designed to accommodate executives with significant professional and personal commitments. On average you will spend 3 days a month attending classes, one Friday and two Saturdays. Hybrid options are available when other obligations prevent you from attending in person. Expect to spend approximately 8 hours per week in self-paced modules, readings, projects and group work outside of scheduled class time. In addition, students participate in two residencies—a four-day Opening Residency that launches the EMBA program and a culminating Capstone Residency at the end, focused on completing and presenting the capstone project centered around the Purposeful Leader Journey.
Executive MBA tuition for January 2027 is $136,806 and includes a $2,000 nonrefundable deposit. Tuition is all-inclusive and covers all courses, books and required materials, parking, accommodations, and catering for breakfast and lunch. There is no differentiation between in-state and out-of-state tuition. Tuition is charged in five installments (once per academic semester). The $2,000 nonrefundable deposit is deducted from the first tuition bill of the program.
30~40
Cohort Size
55%
Women (2023)
27%
Military/Veterans (2023)
Experience the Smith Executive MBA
See the program in action before you commit. Attend an EMBA class or register for the next EMBA for a Day to experience the classroom, meet current students and alumni and get a firsthand sense of the cohort and learning environment.
Leadership After Service
Those with military experience have gained a foundation in leadership, decision-making and responsibility. The Smith Executive MBA helps you build on that experience with broader business knowledge, strategic perspective and executive leadership development as you advance your career beyond service.
Smith is a Yellow Ribbon School and provides resources for military-connected learners, including guidance from a dedicated director of federal and veteran affairs and an engaged community of veterans, entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Admissions
Application Deadlines
- May 15
- June 15
- July 15 — priority consideration for merit-based scholarships
- August 15
- September 15
- October 15
- November 15
No GMAT/GRE is required. Our admissions team can help you understand the application process, strengthen your candidacy and explore scholarship and employer-support options.