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 typically 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 a 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 received 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: Director, Theresa S. Falcon Executive MBA, Bradley University, 1501 W. Bradley Ave., 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 sponsorship. A recommendation form is included in the application packet. It should be signed by a senior official of your employing organization. It states that your employer endorses your participation in the program, is aware of the time demands, and will grant you the necessary time off to attend classes. 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: Director, Theresa S. Falcon Executive MBA, 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 five to seven 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 of 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 an admissions committee consisting of three FCBA graduate faculty members, with advice from the Director of the EMBA.

Program Costs

The fee for the 2013–2014 EMBA degree program is $63,500. Tuition, instructional materials, meals, and the international trip, excluding student's airfare, are included in the fee.

Payment Schedule for Program Beginning in January 2013

Deposit $500
Due immediately upon acceptance into the program

First Payment $31,500
Due on the first day of class, January 6, 2012

Second Payment $31,500
Due halfway through the program on August 1, 2012

Theresa S. Falcon Executive MBA Scholarships

Funded through the Theresa S. Falcon Executive MBA endowment, limited scholarships may be available to students admitted to the EMBA program, with an emphasis on health professionals. The available earnings shall be used to award scholarships as determined by the Director of the Theresa S. Falcon Executive MBA program in consultation with the University’s Office of Financial Services.

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 5–10 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 1 1/2 hrs.
BUS 631 Competition and Pricing 1 hr.
BUS 633 Creating and Managing Customer Satisfaction 3 hrs.
BUS 635 Communication Workshop 1 1/2 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 1 1/2 hrs.
BUS 658 EMBA Topics 2 hrs.
35 hrs. 

This is the official catalog for the 2012-2013 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.