What degree will I earn when completing the Executive MBA?
Executive MBA students graduate with a Masters of Business Administration degree from Washington University.

When does the next class begin? Are you accepting applications for fall 2013? 
Applications for Admissions are being accepted for Executive MBA  in St. Louis and Denver and April 2014 in St. Louis and Kansas City. Schedule a visit today to find out what's different about Washington University's Executive MBA. Meet our high-caliber faculty, students and alumni.  We look forward to talking with you, so call us today at 314-935-EMBA!  

Is the GMAT or GRE required for admission?
For most applicants, we do not require the GMAT or GRE. We will request your official university transcripts to determine your academic ability to perform in Executive MBA classes.

How much time will I need to devote to the program?
Throughout the 20 months it takes to complete Olin’s Executive MBA program, a typical student studies 15-20 hours per week outside of class. Time management and family support are the two key components to success.

How is performance graded?
The Olin Executive MBA program uses a four-level grading system as follows: high pass (HP), pass (P), low pass (LP), and no pass (NP). Each class grade is a combination of individual and team effort on tests, presentations, and special projects in the exact breakdown of which is at the discretion of the course professor. Some test grades are numeric.

What is GO! Week?
The Executive MBA experience begins with GO! Week, a weeklong residency at the Knight Center on the campus of Washington University. This is an intensive introduction to the curriculum, your classmates, and the Olin community. During this required weeklong, live-in stay, you will meet your study team, commit to personal and team goals, and engage in a number of rigorous academic exercises designed to lay the ground work for the 20-month journey through the program.

What is the Professional Development Plan (PDP) offered with the Executive MBA integrated curriculum?
During the program, each participant is guided through a series of assessments to determine his or her competencies and areas for growth — resulting in a Professional Development Plan (PDP). Students revisit their plan at regular intervals, reviewing their progress with personal audits.

Is it okay to miss school occasionally?
To earn a degree in 20 months, you will cover a large amount of material in relatively short time. If you miss class, you will likely fall behind and find it difficult to catch up. We realize that illness or important family commitments might necessitate an absence. When this occurs, you may request a DVD of the missed class. It's also a good idea to review missed material with your study group. If you miss more than 25 percent of any class, the course must be repeated.

How much does it cost to attend the Olin Executive MBA program? 
Meals, textbooks, tutoring assistance, study materials, parking and lodging for all three residencies are included in the tuition. Airfare for the international residency in Shanghai is the responsibility of each student.  In addition, students are required to purchase a tablet and laptop if they do not have one prior to starting the program. Upon receiving an offer of admission, students are asked to submit a $2,500 nonrefundable deposit, which is applied to the first tuition installment. A tuition schedule for the program can be found on the tuition & financial aid pages of this site.

What is a Letter of Commitment? 
To complete your application for admissions, it is necessary to secure a letter of commitment from your organization indicating your employer understands this commitment and the time away from work. 

Is corporate financial support required for the Executive MBA Program?
No. Although many Executive MBA students receive some level of corporate financial support, it is not a factor in the admissions process. About one-third are fully sponsored financially, another third receive some help, and the remaining third are self-funded.

Who typically serves as a sponsor?
This varies by organization; your sponsor may be your direct supervisor, human resources director or chief executive officer. It is important that your sponsor has the authority to approve your enrollment in the program and time away from the office.

Can I sponsor myself?
Yes, if you are self-employed. In these instances, we require a statement of self-employment along with two Recommendation Forms from individuals who can assess your professional accomplishments to date and your likelihood for success in the program.

Must I submit my completed application all at once?
Typically, most application documents are submitted directly to the Executive MBA Admissions Office. As a result, we will accumulate all your admissions materials and you can verify with our office whether your application is complete. The most important first step is to complete the online application.

What faculty will be teaching in the program?
With minor exceptions, Washington University’s Olin Business School faculty facilitate the Executive MBA program in St. Louis, Denver, Kansas City and Shanghai. Olin’ distinguished professors are uniquely qualified to push conventional boundaries and test new methods. The real-world measure of a program is how your academic experience translates into the workplace.

Is a personal interview required for admission? If so, is it conducted in person?
Yes, an interview with two members of the admissions committee is required as part of the admissions process. Interviews typically last an hour and are scheduled by appointment after an application is submitted. The interview is also an opportunity to discuss any questions you have about the program.

Can students take additional course work?
Current Executive MBA students may choose to take additional graduate business courses offered through Olin Business School with no additional tuition charges, although books and materials are not covered. Electives available to Executive MBA students are offered through the evening and full-time MBA programs. Students may enroll in electives outside of Olin, but tuition will not be waived. Olin elective course listings can be found on website at http://www.olin.wustl.edu/courses and are updated each March and November.

What additional course benefits are available for alumni?
Complimentary elective courses through the evening and full-time MBA programs are also available to Executive MBA Alumni. Executive MBA alumni are invited to enroll in full-time or evening electives on a space-available basis at no charge during the two years following their graduation. After two years, the regular alumni discount of 50 percent off evening tuition rates will apply. Olin's Open Enrollment one- and two-day seminars are available at a discount to alumni and are not included in the policies listed above. Alumni enrolling in elective courses are responsible for purchasing their books and materials.

Is a laptop computer required?
The majority of the Executive MBA coursework is delivered electronically; therefore both a laptop and tablet of your choice are required for the program. However, to ensure an engaged class, use of laptops during classroom instruction is often discouraged unless requested by the professors. Tablets are allowed in class to access your electronic course packets.