About the Program

Aspiring leaders and senior executives need a comprehensive understanding of an organization, and a strategic perspective to deal with the issues they will face. While early stage career growth is within a single functional area, senior managers need to understand the inter-relationships of all functions within the organization and how decisions made to solve one problem may impact other areas in very different ways.

The Executive MBA builds this 360-degree understanding of theoretical and operational business models, with specific emphasis on leadership, strategic analysis and change management, all from a global perspective, critical in the international marketplace today.

In the first three terms, the program focuses on enhancing students’ managerial skills, building on their existing work experience. Students are equipped to develop effective analyses based on business process and implementation in the various functional areas. In the final two terms, students develop a strategic mindset as they apply strategy models to changing environments, both globally and locally. Finally, they prepare a significant company-based strategic analysis as their capstone project to demonstrate the depth and breadth of their enhanced capacities.

Classes

Each term / semester consists of seven weekends. Classes are held all day Friday and Saturday, every other weekend. This includes overnight accommodation at a nearby hotel on Friday when classes are in session (not during Applied Project). This schedule is designed to accommodate perfect work / life balance. Students who choose the America's MBA option will have a different schedule in their second year -- with four, 8 1/2 day residencies in August and October 2012; and February and April 2013.  

Team-Based Learning

At the executive level, the ability to build partnerships, forge alliances and co-operative relationships is crucial. The Executive MBA builds collaboration by assembling students into small groups where they learn first hand about team building and shared responsibility as they work together on assignments and group presentations. The learning objective is to understand how to take advantage of others’ experience and knowledge for mutual benefit – a skill directly transferrable to the workplace.

Good business thrives on relationships and the ability to work together effectively. The admissions committee selects those applicants they believe will work well in a collegial, supportive environment that emphasizes teamwork, diversity and dynamic learning.

• The class is comprised of 30 to 40 students, who complete the program together.
• Students form small, self-managed teams of four to five people who work together on projects, also for the duration of the program. The rich business, cultural and life experience of each student adds immeasurably to the class and team experience.
• Working within a team, students discover untapped strengths - and gain insight and support from each other. It’s an opportunity to hone effectiveness both as a team member and team leader.

Beyond the Classroom

Whether you want to accelerate your career within your own firm, or wish to transfer your knowledge and skills into another organization or sector, the Executive MBA is the passport. The insight you receive into other industries and companies from your classmates’ experiences builds a valuable knowledge base. In addition, your classmates and fellow alumni become part of a professional network that typically keeps each other informed of new career opportunities.

• The program begins with a three-day orientation at a local conference location. In addition to meeting the faculty and other students, this session is focused on team building and understanding the elements of business case analysis.
• We invite business executives to the classroom to provide a broader perspective on their industries and professions, the challenges they face within their organizations and their strategies to manage these realities.
• The Career Management Centre (CMC) provides workshops and professional resources for students to help maximize their unique skill set and academic background.

International America's MBA for Executives (Optional)

An optional second year stream offers the final term courses in four, intensive 8 1/2 day sessions at SFU Segal, Vanderbilt University (Nashville, USA), ITAM (Mexico City) and FIA (Sao Paolo, Brazil). Students will join a new cohort of international Executive MBA students for the courses and their final project. (More details are on the AMBA tab)

International Business Trip (optional)

In April, faculty members lead an international business trip for Executive MBA students. This optional study tour examines the significant cultural, political, legal and economic differences between BC firms and their international counterparts. The agenda includes lectures by SFU professors and professors at the host university, complemented by site tours of participating business organizations.