Denver's Executive MBA:

Flexible. Transformational. Downtown.

Executive MBA

AT A GLANCE

45 credit hours; cohort structure

18 months; no career interruption

Hybrid delivery (in-person + online)

August start

International trip + consulting project

The CU Denver Executive MBA is a different degree. It is mission-driven, student-focused, and designed to deliver excellence.

We actively seek diversity because your education is richer when everyone brings a different perspective. We recruit faculty nationwide, from academia and industry, to deliver expertise across the curriculum. We have designed a hybrid, flexible course structure, incorporating both in-person and online class sessions, which requires no career interruption. We support each cohort with a student experience that is second to none.

We are looking for executives and other aspiring leaders who demand something different. Your classmates will be professionals from diverse backgrounds, functional areas, and career stages, exposing you to critical conversations and varied experiences. The knowledge, confidence, and network opportunities you gain will provide the platform for the rest of your career, as well as deliver an immediate impact on your current position and organization. It matters where you get your Executive MBA; allow us to tell you why CU Denver is unique.

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Outstanding faculty
Drawn from universities and industry, nationwide

Innovative curriculum
Core courses and topical seminars

Hybrid structure
In-person, on-line, and asynchronous delivery

Curated cohort
Diversity is essential

Exemplary support
Outstanding student experience

Testimonials and Learning Outcomes

"Earning my Executive MBA was critical to gaining the skills and confidence to transition from a corporate role to a solopreneur. It's set the stage for the next phase of my career. Staying engaged through networking events and volunteer opportunities has kept me connected to the vast CU Denver community and beyond.”

Danette Muñoz Shaifer, Founder, Florishion Consulting

2022 EMBA Graduate

"The CU Denver EMBA proved to be an excellent choice for me. While completing the program, I was offered a new role at my company. The program allowed me to advance my career, hone my leadership skills, and strengthen my business acumen.”

Dalip Sethi, Director of Scientific Affairs, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies

2024 EMBA Graduate

“The CU Denver Executive MBA program gave me the business skills, knowledge, and confidence to design, launch, and then expand a new department at my company.”

Vanessa Samuel, Electrical Engineer and Marketing Manager, Samuel Engineering

2022 EMBA Graduate

Program mission and learning goals

The CU Denver Executive MBA program produces leaders with the capabilities to manage their organization more effectively. Specifically, the program equips students with the technical knowledge and analytical skills to create value and build a sustainable competitive advantage for their firm, in a diverse and rigorous educational environment.

Goal 1: Act strategically

Formulate and implement strategies that are designed to build a sustainable competitive advantage for the firm.

Goal 2: Think critically

Analyze quantitative and qualitative information to develop counterintuitive, insightful solutions to a given business problem.

Goal 3: Embrace diversity

Appreciate the complexity of organizational life, and the significance of leading an inclusive and representative culture.

Goal 4: Demonstrate technology leadership

Apply relevant technology tools to support business processes and strategic decision making.

Goal 5: Create sustainable value

Redefine the purpose of the for-profit firm in terms of value creation for a broad set of stakeholders over the medium to long term.

The program consists of 15 core courses for a total of 45 credit hours. It is designed with working professionals in mind; you will complete your degree in 18 months while you work. Courses balance an essential core (e.g. accounting, finance, leadership, marketing, strategy) with other innovative and topical courses to accelerate the transition to executive leadership.

International trip

This 3-credit course offers students the opportunity to learn about and participate in global business through intensive classroom sessions and first-hand experiences abroad. The course overlays multiple experiential-learning models to offer students unique exposure to global teams, international business, and executive-level insights. Students will implement leadership and management tools to enhance their effectiveness in the international environment. Specifically, and dependent on university risk and safety assessments, students will travel for approximately two weeks during this course. Both before and during the trip, the students will work in teams on a consulting project with a client firm in the country to be visited.

Hybrid method of instruction

The program's hybrid structure allows business leaders to get their MBA without sidelining their careers. This flexible delivery method allows the student to balance the program with the rest of their life, while still engaging with faculty, classmates, and guest speakers.

On Campus: Classes meet on campus two weekends each term. Classes are held from 8:30 am-4:30 pm Friday and Saturday, and consist of traditional lectures, discussions, and group activities. They provide ample opportunities to work with peers and faculty.

Online: Virtual conferencing brings the classroom into your home, through Canvas and Zoom. You’ll have access to course assignments, presentations, and discussions with professors and your classmates.

Program faculty

The Executive MBA faculty are hand-selected to deliver a transformative learning experience. A third of our faculty are from CU Denver, while the rest of the faculty are from other universities around the country or are leaders in industry. All of our faculty are excellent at bringing their applicable skills and expertise to the classroom. This innovative approach to executive education offers our students access to some of the best instructors in the nation. We are proud of what we are offering and do not think many programs can compete with this level of diversity and excellence.

The Faculty and Staff Directory with Course Descriptions are available here.

Jeff Brooks

Finance

Former Divisional CFO, P&G

MS, Purdue University

David Chandler

Sustainable Value Creation

Professor, CU Denver

Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin

Thomas Eppel

Analytical Decision Making

Lecturer, UC Irvine

Ph.D., University of California Irvine

Steve Lawrence

Operations

Associate Professor Emeritus, CU Boulder

Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University

Michael Leiblein

Technology Strategy

Professor, Ohio State University

Ph.D., Purdue University

Jill Lohmiller

International Business

Instructor, CU Denver

MBA, CU Denver

Mary Malina

Accounting

Professor, CU Denver

Ph.D., CU Boulder

Gideon Markman

Business Model Innovation

Professor, Colorado State University

Ph.D., University of Georgia

Brian McCarthy

Marketing

Senior Instructor, Portland State University

MBA, University of Washington

Adriana Medina-López-Portillo

Communication

Founder and CEO, Pangea Training

Ph.D., Univ of Maryland Baltimore County

Ramiro Montealegre

Information Systems

Professor, CU Boulder

Ph.D., Harvard University

Jung Park

Leadership

Founder, Sherpath Coaching

MBA, CU Denver

Jeff Reuer

Corporate Strategy

Professor, Purdue University

Ph.D., Purdue University

John Shaw

Finance

Adjunct Professor, UNC Chapel Hill

MBA, UNC Chapel Hill

Kelly See

Negotiation

Associate Professor, CU Denver

Ph.D., Duke University

Kate Watkins

Economics

State Demographer, State of Colorado

Ph.D., Cornell University

Networking

Students in each cohort of the CU Denver Executive MBA program come from a range of backgrounds and represent a broad spectrum of responsibilities, organizations, and industries. The result of this diversity is to create networking opportunities with fellow students, alumni of the program, faculty from across the country (from both universities and industry), and various classroom guest speakers -- all of whom enhance the value of your degree.

In addition to these networking opportunities, we have assembled a package of resources, that are included in your tuition, and enhance the career implications of your education.

Mentoring

Faculty mentors: As "Sherpas" for all members of the cohort, faculty mentors provide personalized guidance to meet your needs, challenges, and aspirations for your professional development. We would like to build and nurture meaningful relationships based on trust, during your journey with our EMBA program and beyond. In addition, we will connect you directly with subject matter experts, executives, and leaders from various backgrounds, industries, and cultures to ensure you receive relevant and valuable guidance to thrive in your career and life.
Additional mentorship: Working with the Dean of the Business School, as well as our EMBA alumni, carefully selected mentors are available upon request from various companies and areas of responsibility.

Additional resources

Executive coaching: We have negotiated a customized package of coaching services through Talent Solutions: Right Management (part of the Manpower Group), that can be accessed at any point during your studies.
Prep course: Prior to orientation, we offer access to the MBA Math online program to help prepare you for the quantitative courses in the curriculum.
Writing skills: To strengthen your writing skills, you are able to work with consultants from the campus writing center.

Social impact projects

We offer service opportunities to share your knowledge and skills with community organizations to provide a transformative impact. Additionally, you may partner with organizations to implement sustainable environmental and social changes within your business.

The tuition cost for the 18-month EMBA program is $85,000. Tuition is billed in eight equal installments as you go through the EMBA program. Tuition includes all course material required for each EMBA course. Tuition also includes travel, lodging and some meals during the International Business Experience trip.

Apply by January 15, 2025 and receive our special $5,000 Leading Edge Scholarship.

A $1,500 non-refundable deposit is due upon acceptance into the program. This deposit will be applied to your first term’s tuition invoice.

Scholarships

The CU Denver Executive MBA program provides a 10% tuition discount for students who work for the CU system or in the nonprofit sector.

Additional merit-based scholarships are available for exceptionally qualified students.

Employer support

The valuable skills you will gain in the program will immediately benefit your company, colleagues, and yourself as you apply your knowledge to business challenges. As such, many employers invest in their employees' business education and offer full or partial reimbursement. Contact your company’s human resources department to inquire about tuition support.

Veterans benefits

The University of Colorado Denver is committed to providing veterans and service members with a high-quality education tailored to your distinct interests. The Executive MBA program proudly supports the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This distinction allows veterans and service members to maximize their tuition benefit depending on length of service. In some cases, the VA may not cover all the costs associated with the EMBA program. Our EMBA administration is available to discuss VA benefits with applicants. Additionally, applicants may contact Veteran & Military Student Services at (303) 315-7300 or by email at VMSS@ucdenver.edu to find out more details about their VA benefits.

International students

Before beginning the application process, we encourage you to contact the CU Denver International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSS) to learn more about your specific situation.

Federal Stafford loan

EMBA students can help fund their education through student loans. All federal loans require the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens and have not defaulted on a previous student loan. For information please visit: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action.

Hispanic-Serving Institution designation

CU Denver was the first research university in Colorado to attain the status of Hispanic-Serving Institution in 2021-2022. More information is available at this link.

Application checklist

Online application
Resume
Personal statement
Official university transcripts
Organization sponsorship statement
Two letters of recommendation

Apply Now

A new cohort begins each August. Students are admitted to the cohort as applications are received. Our goal is to make the application process as streamlined as possible for you:

There is no application fee.
Due to the program’s competitive nature and rolling admissions policy, we strongly recommend submitting your application as soon as possible.
After submitting your completed application, decisions are delivered via email within 7-10 days.
Merit-based scholarships are awarded at the time an offer is made.
Bunker scholarships may also be awarded. These scholarships are named in memory of Susan K. Bunker, a former director of the Executive MBA program, who believed in expanding access to executive education for students from under-represented populations.

Admission requirements

The CU Denver Executive MBA prepares mid- to senior-level managers for executive leadership. As such, we seek candidates who are currently in management positions with a demonstrated record of achievement and the potential for further promotion. In addition, the ideal candidate is: ambitious, collaborative, and inquisitive. As we curate the cohort and Learning Community, we seek candidates who enrich the educational experience for all cohort members.

All candidates will meet with multiple members of the Executive MBA team throughout the application process. These ongoing conversations help us assess your motivation for pursuing an EMBA, your academic and professional experience, and your future plans.

All interested applicants are encouraged to contact our head of recruiting, Mary Ann Skadow, to discuss your future with the program.

We welcome applications on a rolling basis and will admit students until the cohort fills.

For questions about any aspect of the application process or the program, please contact our Executive MBA team or schedule a one-on-one meeting.

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