Theresa S. Falcon Executive Master of Business Administration

This program is accredited by AACSB International —The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

The Theresa S. Falcon Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program is especially designed for experienced professionals wishing to obtain a master’s degree in business administration. EMBA students have a number of years of significant, post-baccalaureate career experience and continue to work full time while enrolled in the program. Participants begin the program at the same time and move through the curriculum together, completing the requirements as a group. The collective professional experience of the program participants enriches the educational environment.

Bradley University’s EMBA program focuses on leadership and the business issues leaders face everyday. Leadership is a key issue in contemporary organizations. While effective leadership is a critical component of organizational success, studies indicate that organizations are facing a “crisis of leadership.” Two-thirds of executives surveyed across the nation indicated that their organizations had too many people who were strong in management but weak in leadership. Bradley University’s Executive MBA is jointly sponsored by the Foster College of Business Administration (FCBA) and The Executive Development Center (EDC). One of the five business assistance centers in FCBA, EDC is the Midwest affiliate of the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), the premier leadership development program in the nation.

Unlike traditional MBA and EMBA programs with their prescribed courses in economics, finance, management, and accounting, Bradley University’s EMBA focuses on issues that managers and executives identified as the most pressing problems they faced. The program takes an issues-oriented, problem-solving approach to business. Business issues are addressed from an interdisciplinary perspective. Each issue is approached with insights gained from various business disciplines. Accounting, marketing, management, and finance are integrated throughout the curriculum. Through this award-winning, issues-based, integrated curriculum, program participants will develop the same broad business knowledge and awareness that is expected from any rigorous MBA program.

Through the course of the program, the leadership skills of individual participants will be developed. Faculty will work one-on-one with participants to assess leadership skills and create a personal development plan.

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirement

The admissions committee follows a rolling admission process. Applicants should submit all of their application materials no later than six weeks prior to the start of the cohort. Applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria: managerial experience, undergraduate/graduate performance, letters of recommendation, essay, and personal interview for entrance into the program.

The required documents are the following:

1. Application form. The application form must be complete with meaningful and well-developed answers to the questions on the goals of the applicant. All applicants must submit a non-refundable application fee, payable by check or money order, to Bradley University. The fee for domestic applicants is $40.
2. Transcript(s). Applicants are required to provide one official transcript sent directly from the Registrar's office at the institution from which they receive their bachelor's degree or the international equivalent. Additional transcripts may be required at the discretion of the Graduate School. Applicants should submit additional official transcripts from post-baccalaureate coursework for consideration. Applicants who have completed graduate-level coursework should submit all transcripts reflecting graduate coursework. Official transcripts from each college and university attended must be sent directly from the registrar to: Associate Dean, Foster College of Business Administration, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois 61625.
3. Three letters of recommendation. Recommendation forms are included in the application material. Please note that a direct supervisor must be one of the recommenders, unless you are self-employed.
4. Employer letter of sponsorship. This letter should be from a senior official of your employing organization. It should state that your employer endorses your participation in the program, is aware of the time demands, will grant you the necessary time off to attend classes, and, if applicable, is willing to provide financial assistance. Applicants who are self-employed are not required to submit this statement.
5. Personal essay. Directions for the essays can be found in the application form.
6. Interview. Once your application is received, an on-campus interview will be scheduled. Be prepared to describe projects you have handled that demonstrate your management skills. Please include a statement with your application stating times and days that you are available for the interview.

 

For application materials, please contact: EMBA Director, Foster College of Business Administration, Bradley University, 1501 W. Bradley, Peoria, IL 61625. E-mail: emba@bradley.edu. Phone: (309) 677-2253. You can also download the application from bradley.edu/emba.

Admissions Criteria

The entire application package is evaluated as a portfolio. The portfolio includes a personal statement, history of managerial and/or leadership experience of at least 5 to 7 years, and letters of reference. As well as determining the academic qualifications of each individual, the composite picture aids in identifying if that person will contribute to the growth of fellow students in the cohort. A personal interview with the Director of the EMBA is an integral part the portfolio evaluation.

The GMAT is not required for admission to the EMBA program. Rarely, a candidate without a baccalaureate degree may be admitted as an exception to the baccalaureate degree requirement when the applicant has an exceptional portfolio including a significant record of managerial experience.

The final admission recommendation rests with the Director of Graduate Programs with advice from the Executive Director of the EMBA, and the recommendation of an admissions committee consisting of three FBCA graduate faculty members.

Program Costs

The fee for the 2009-2010 EMBA degree program is $49,600. Tuition, instructional materials, meals, and the international trip, excluding airfare, are included in the fee.

Payment Schedule for Program Beginning in August 2010

Deposit $500
Due immediately upon acceptance into the program

First Payment $24,550
Due on the first day of class, August 25, 2010

Second Payment $24,550
Due halfway through the program on April 4, 2011

Theresa S. Falcon Executive MBA Scholarships

Funded through the Theresa S. Falcon Executive MBA endowment, limited scholarships are available to students unconditionally admitted to the EMBA program, with an emphasis on health professionals. Scholarships cover up to $10,000 of total program costs. Eligibility is determined by the Graduate Admissions Committee of the Foster College of Business Administration in consultation with the Executive Director.

Progress Toward the Degree

Degree Requirements

The EMBA consists of 21 courses comprising 35 academic credit hours. The program lasts approximately 15 months and meets every other weekend on Friday and Saturday for the program’s duration. Two extended periods of study, lasting 7-10 days each, will be required. Students must successfully complete all 21 courses in sequence and pass a written comprehensive examination. Because of the cohort, lock-step curriculum in the EMBA program, students must pass all courses in sequence with a C or better in order to continue in the program. Failure to do so will result in immediate dismissal from the Executive MBA program. Students are subject to the probation and dismissal policies of the Graduate School.

Required courses

BUS 621 The Leadership Challenge 3 hrs.
BUS 623 Scanning the Environment 1/2 hr.
BUS 625 External Economic Environment 1 hrs.
BUS 627 Managing Technology 2 hrs.
BUS 629 Cost Management 11/2 hrs.
BUS 631 Competition and Pricing 1 hr.
BUS 633 Creating and Maintaining Customer Satisfaction 3 hrs.
BUS 635 Communication Workshop 11/2 hrs.
BUS 637 Attracting and Developing Talent 2 hrs.
BUS 639 Building Employee Commitment 2 hrs.
BUS 641 Dealing with Problem People 1 hr.
BUS 643 Team Building 1 hr.
BUS 645 Acquiring Capital and Making Investment Decisions 3 hrs.
BUS 647 Global Environment and Issues 3 hrs.
BUS 649 Developing Strategy 2 hrs.
BUS 651 Performance Measurement and Control Systems 2 hrs.
BUS 653 Strategic Positioning and Maximizing Performance 2 hrs.
BUS 655 Leading Successful Change 11/2 hrs.
BUS 658 EMBA Topics 2 hrs.
35 hrs.