Executive MBA Curriculum
Develop advanced business knowledge while strengthening the leadership, strategic thinking and decision-making skills required to lead organizations. Designed for experienced professionals, the Executive MBA allows you to continue working while progressing through a structured, cohort-based program.
Program Overview
The Executive MBA (EMBA) at the University of Washington Foster School of Business is designed for experienced professionals who continue working while advancing into senior leadership roles.
The program delivers a comprehensive foundation in business disciplines combined with leadership development, strategic thinking and executive-level decision-making. Students learn alongside a cohort of accomplished professionals, bringing diverse industry perspectives into the classroom.
Program at a Glance
- Degree: Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Credits: 68
- Format: in-person, cohort-based
- Duration: 2 years
- Schedule: Full-day sessions 1–2 times per week (Friday and/or Saturday)
- Location: UW campus in Seattle
How the Executive MBA Curriculum Is Structured
The Executive MBA curriculum is designed for immediate application. Students bring real organizational challenges into the classroom and apply insights between sessions. Coursework is delivered in an integrated format that emphasizes immediate application, cross-functional thinking and leadership development.
Foundations and core business disciplines
Students build a comprehensive foundation across accounting, finance, marketing and operations, developing a shared understanding of how organizations function.
Integrated business and strategic thinking
As the program progresses, students develop the ability to integrate concepts across business functions and make strategic decisions that align with organizational goals.
Leadership and organizational impact
Leadership development is embedded throughout the curriculum, strengthening communication, influence and the ability to lead teams in complex environments.
Applied learning
Students apply concepts directly to their current roles and organizational challenges, reinforcing learning through real-world context, collaboration and executive-level discussion.
Core Curriculum
The Executive MBA core curriculum develops expertise across key business functions while emphasizing integration and executive-level decision-making.
- Strategy and leadership
- Finance and accounting
- Marketing and customer insights
- Economics and global business
- Operations and supply chain
- Data and decision-making
- Organizational leadership and change
See full list of core course descriptions
Course sequence
Students progress through a structured, cohort-based sequence across two years.
Autumn
Students build a foundation in core business disciplines including financial reporting, microeconomics and strategy, while developing teamwork and managerial effectiveness. Coursework emphasizes understanding competitive advantage, organizational performance and the role of legal and economic environments in business decision-making.
Winter
The focus shifts to organizational leadership, managerial accounting and negotiation. Students develop skills in leading teams, managing organizational dynamics and using financial information to support decision-making, while strengthening their ability to influence and negotiate effectively.
Spring
Students deepen analytical and market-facing capabilities through statistics, marketing management and international business. Coursework emphasizes data-driven decision-making, customer value creation and understanding global business environments.
Autumn
Students begin the second year with a required International Immersion, gaining first-hand exposure to global business environments. Coursework also includes corporate finance, leadership development and global economic analysis, strengthening financial decision-making and strategic perspective.
Winter
Students build operational and strategic capabilities through operations management, marketing strategy and decision modeling. The curriculum emphasizes cross-functional integration and the application of analytical tools to complex business challenges.
Spring
The program concludes with advanced topics in international finance, ethics, entrepreneurship and strategy. Students integrate learning across disciplines, apply concepts to business planning and explore the impact of innovation and technology on organizations.
International Immersion
The Executive MBA includes a required International Immersion that provides direct, in-country experience with global business environments.
Students examine how legal, political, economic and cultural factors shape business practices across countries while gaining first-hand exposure to organizations operating in global markets.
- Occurs early September of the second year
- 8–10 days in duration
- Two academic credits awarded (EMBA 590)
- Most on-the-ground expenses included, excluding travel to and from the immersion location
- One or two immersion experiences offered, with travel alongside faculty and staff
How the Executive MBA Format Shapes Your Experience
Because students remain embedded in their organizations, coursework is continuously tested against real business decisions, accelerating leadership development and cross-functional impact. Students immediately apply classroom learning to their organizations, creating a direct connection between coursework and business impact.
The cohort-based structure fosters collaboration among experienced professionals across industries, enabling peer learning, perspective-sharing and long-term professional relationships.
Coursework emphasizes how decisions across functions—finance, operations, marketing and strategy—interconnect, preparing students to lead across the enterprise.
Leadership and Applied Learning
Leadership development is integrated throughout the Executive MBA experience and reinforced across coursework, team collaboration and applied learning.
Students strengthen their ability to lead organizations by developing communication, influence and decision-making skills in complex business environments.
Applied learning takes place through:
- Team-based projects that address real organizational challenges
- Case-based learning and executive-level discussion
- Peer learning from experienced professionals across industries
- Capstone business plan competition where students develop and present new venture concepts to investors and industry leaders
These experiences ensure that students not only understand business concepts, but also apply them directly within their organizations.
Career Preparation and Outcomes
Through the curriculum, students strengthen their ability to:
- Lead teams and organizations in complex environments
- Make strategic, cross-functional decisions
- Apply business insights directly to their current roles
- Drive organizational impact and career advancement
See how the Executive MBA supports career outcomes and advancement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Executive MBA designed for?
The program is designed for experienced mid-career managers and executives seeking strategic, actionable business education to accelerate their transition into senior leadership and C-suite roles. It is built for professionals who want to advance their impact while continuing to manage professional and personal commitments.
What do you study in the Executive MBA program?
Students study core business disciplines including accounting, finance, marketing, strategy, economics, management and operations. The curriculum follows an integrated, cohort-based format that combines core coursework, leadership development and applied learning experiences.
How is the Executive MBA different from other MBA formats?
The Executive MBA is designed for experienced professionals who continue working while completing the program. Full day in-person classes are scheduled on Fridays and/or Saturdays.
Is the Executive MBA part-time or full-time?
While EMBA students continue in their very busy professional careers, based on UW Graduate School enrollment policy, the EMBA Program is considered a full-time enrollment program (at least 10 credits per quarter).
Explore the Full Executive MBA Curriculum
For detailed course descriptions and program structure, explore the full curriculum.