executive mba

Learn critical business skills and take on the complex, evolving issues leaders face in today’s business environment, all in a cohort of your peers and a program designed for executive learners.

Experiential learning through a two-week immersive international trip and our Team Sailing Challenge

Learning in a diverse, tightknit cohort of established leaders

Curriculum that’s tuned to meet the needs of leaders in 2023 and beyond

Exceptional faculty that blends academic expertise and real-world practice

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Executive MBA Class Visit Days

Friday, June 16 | Saturday, July 22 | Friday, August 5

Experience a day in the life of the Executive MBA program! Sit in on one or two EMBA classes of your choice to learn from our world-class faculty. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet EMBA students, faculty and staff over a chef-prepared meal.

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Executive MBA Program Snapshot

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Academic Term

10-week quarters, divided into 5-week blocks

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Class schedule

One full day per week, on alternating Fridays and Saturdays

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Entry Points

Fall quarter (September)
Spring quarter (March)

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Program Length

18 months

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Curriculum

A broad core curriculum with the ability to customize through topical short electives

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Admissions

GMAT/GRE not required
At least 10 years of work and management experience required

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Rankings

No. 6 EMBA program in North America (CEO Magazine)
Best Executive MBA Program (ColoradoBiz Best of Colorado Business Choice Awards)

Contact Us

Nicole Lovato

Program Director, Executive MBA

Nicole is your main point of contact for any questions you may have on the Executive MBA. Feel free to reach out to her anytime.
303.871.5183
nicole.lovato@du.edu

Surabhi Palkimas

Executive MBA

I toured multiple MBA programs, and Daniels’ in-person learning environment and alumni connections really impressed me. I also liked the variety of courses offered along with the sailing trip experience.

Remy McTighe Fromm

EMBA, 2024

I chose Daniels because of the rich tradition that focuses on ethical leadership, in class instruction and the tight cohort relationship that increases skill sets from a variety of backgrounds. I felt it important to be in-person and can connect with the University of Denver campus as a part of a graduate program weekly vs. only being on campus 4-6 times a year. The one thing that I took away from the staff at Daniels was the personal connection I made with professors and administrators that sets this program apart from others.

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Tuition & Financial Aid

Admissions

Why Earn Your Executive MBA?

The Executive MBA is specifically tailored to the strengths and needs of professionals with 10–20+ years of experience. It provides an integrated perspective that will challenge your thinking and empower you to take the next step in your career, whether that’s starting your own venture, pivoting to a new industry or moving to a position of greater responsibility.

In the EMBA program you’ll focus on the complex issues that are most critical to senior leaders—corporate strategy, global management, mobilizing large organizations and teams, leading large-scale change, confronting difficult ethical decisions and balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders. You’ll apply world-class theory to real-world challenges.

And all of this is wrapped into a deep examination of who you are as a leader, how you bring your authentic self to the role, and how you plan to grow your skills on top of this strong foundation.

“I pursued my MBA because I wanted to continue to learn and grow, not only professionally but as a person, and I felt a formal program would expose me in depth to topics outside of my current professional realm… And I wanted to be surrounded by other professionals at or above my caliber and experience.”

⁠— Amanda Rebol, EMBA 2021

Why the Daniels College of Business?

Ethics and social impact: The Daniels mission centers on business creating good in the world. In the EMBA program, you’ll focus on ethical decision making, your values as a leader and the impact that your business enterprise makes on the broader world.
The curriculum: Our curriculum is newly revised to be current and pointed forward. You’ll examine the issues that are confronting leaders today. The EMBA curriculum is dynamic (changing as necessary to meet the topic of the day) and customizable with a variety of short electives.
Experiential learning: You’ll learn by taking on real-world challenges, with in-class projects built on the issues you’re facing in the workplace now. You’ll take part in our Sail Challenge in San Diego, which highlights how quickly a team can move from rank beginners to solidly competent in a new complex task under pressure and stress. And you’ll travel abroad through our Global Challenge—focused on emerging markets and developing economies—which will stretch the limits of your comfort zone.
The cohort: Your experience is centered around your cohort, with the majority of your time spent with them. You’ll learn as much from them as you do from your professors. Everyone in the room is a seasoned executive, and the EMBA is structured to take advantage of that collective expertise. After graduation, this group will be the core of your powerful network of 4,000 EMBA alumni.
Our faculty: Our faculty are immersed in the industries they teach, and they specialize in teaching executive students. They know how to tailor the learning experience to the needs of established professionals.
Our focus on you and your growth: We focus on your skills as much as your knowledge. Beginning before you arrive with a series of personal and leadership assessments, augmented with coaching that begins with you, you’ll emerge from the program a different leader than when you entered.
A structure that fits your schedule: Our part-time schedule—one day per week, alternating Fridays and Saturdays—means you can balance your learning with full-time work and family priorities.

Executive MBA Program Tuition

Fixed tuition (2023-2024): $99,588 (incl. books, meals and travel) | Scholarships available*

* Scholarships are based on academic record, testing and employment credentials, and are not guaranteed. Contact daniels@du.edu or 303-871-3416 for more information.

Alumna Profiles

Katica Roy, EMBA 2017

Founder, Pipeline

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my EMBA experience. My professors at Daniels helped me crystalize Pipeline. They introduced me to potential investors and customers, and have advocated for Pipeline post-graduation. The Daniels Executive MBA opened doors for me through increased knowledge, an expanded professional network, and an additional ecosystem of support.”

“The difference between me and my peers who don’t have an Executive MBA is that I have the tools required to anticipate challenges and strategically solve problems faster and better, giving me a big advantage in the rapidly changing world of business.”

⁠— Brooke Cheishvili, EMBA 2020

“This is an incredibly supportive community, and we continue to go to bat for one another because we know what we’re each capable of. My cohort remain some of my strongest advocates, and some of my professors remain my most trusted advisors.”

⁠— Ryan Hill, EMBA 2021

How to Apply to the Executive MBA

Qualified candidates for the Executive MBA must have at least 10 years of progressive work and management experience and can come from a wide range of industries and educational backgrounds.

See the Graduate Admissions page for deadlines and application requirements for all graduate programs. There are some additional guidelines for Executive MBA applicants:

Applications received after the last listed deadline are evaluated equally, given space availability.
Essay responses: Please disregard the essay word limit, and consider completing the third optional essay for priority consideration.
Two professional recommendations are required. Once you start the online application, you’ll be able to enter email addresses for your chosen recommenders. Daniels will contact them with further instructions.

GMAT or GRE scores are optional. If you determine that your application will be stronger with GMAT or GRE scores, please submit them when you apply.

All accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships. No additional application is needed.

For more information about the application process, see the graduate admissions site or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 303-871-3416 or daniels@du.edu.

Apply Now

Executive MBA Program FAQs

What is an Executive MBA?

The Executive MBA is a business generalist’s master’s degree designed for business professionals with 10+ years of work experience including significant managerial responsibility. It’s a part-time program offered once a week for a full day (alternating Fridays and Saturdays), accommodating professionals who are advanced in their careers and may work later hours and have children/families.

Can I still apply after the deadline?

We accept applicants on a rolling basis, so you’re welcome to apply after the posted deadlines. We’ll work with you on an individual basis to make sure you can complete the application process and be considered for admission in a timely manner before the start of the program.

Is the Professional MBA or Executive MBA a better fit for me?

The Part-time Professional MBA is designed to serve early- to mid-level-career professionals who want to advance to managerial or senior-level positions. Professional MBA candidates average 5 years of work experience.

In the Executive MBA program, students who are advanced in their careers can learn with and from other senior-level professionals in order to benefit their companies and/or advance to C-level positions as a next step in their careers. Executive MBA candidates have 10+ years of work experience on average, with 5+ years in managerial positions.

We recommend setting up an admissions consultation to determine the right fit for you. You can also schedule a visit to one of our classes so you can meet current students, experience the classroom environment and make a more informed decision before applying. Contact daniels@du.edu to schedule a consultation or visit.

Have other questions? Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at daniels@du.edu or 303-871-3416.