UCLA Anderson EMBA Program: A Comprehensive Overview

The UCLA Anderson School of Management offers a distinguished Executive MBA (EMBA) program designed for seasoned professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and strategic thinking. This article delves into the various facets of the program, including its curriculum, specializations, global opportunities, career development resources, and unique features that set it apart.

Cost and Financial Aid

The cost of the UCLA Anderson EMBA program is significant. The annual tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students is $96,360. In addition to tuition, students should budget approximately $34,719 for books and miscellaneous expenses. While the program represents a substantial investment, the school emphasizes the long-term return on investment (ROI) through compensation growth and personal development. Alumni surveys indicate a worthwhile ROI in terms of compensation. The school also emphasizes that the ROI extends beyond monetary gains to include personal development and growth.

Several options are available to finance the program, including student loan refinance lenders such as College Ave, SoFi®, and Earnest, which offer fixed and variable APR options with autopay and other discounts.

Student Demographics and Diversity

The UCLA Anderson EMBA program prides itself on its diverse student body. The gender distribution is approximately 29.2% female and 70.8% male. The program also attracts a diverse range of students from various industries and backgrounds. The program's diversity extends to ethnicity, social backgrounds, and political perspectives. Southern California's diverse industries, including entertainment, tech, and military, are well-represented in the student population. About 10 to 12% of each class consists of military personnel, many of whom are transitioning out of their officer roles.

Curriculum and Structure

The EMBA program at UCLA Anderson is an intensive 22-month course of study leading to an MBA degree. A total of 68 units of course work must be completed in residence. The curriculum is designed to provide a firm foundation of knowledge across primary subject areas, enabling students to explore specialized topics through advanced courses and elective offerings.

Core Curriculum

The EMBA core curriculum comprises courses such as MGMTEX 402, 403, 405, 408, 409, 410, 411, 416, 420, 421, 414A, 414B, 414C, 414D, and 414E. Recognizing that some students may have already mastered most of the information taught in a particular core course because of their academic backgrounds and professional experience, it is possible to waive certain core courses such as MGMTEX 402, 403, 405, 408, and 411. Students who believe that they have a strong background in a specific subject area have the option of taking a comprehensive waiver exam. Upon successfully passing this exam, they can waive the course. In addition, students who are licensed CPAs have the option of waiving MGMTEX 403. Proof of a CPA license is required and must be submitted prior to entering the EMBA program.

Electives and Specializations

In addition to the core curriculum, 16 units of graduate-level management electives are required. The program offers the option of specializing in one of 15 available business areas. EMBA specializations are available in Corporate Governance, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Leadership Development, Global Management, and Technology Management. The wide array of electives allows students to tailor their learning experience to align with their career goals and interests.

Capstone Project

As part of their degree requirement, students must complete a capstone project, which focuses on real-world business challenges. The capstone plan requirement is fulfilled by successful completion of either of the two Management Field Study programs - the Strategic Management Research Capstone (MGMTEX 423 A, B), Business Creation Capstone (MGMTEX 428A, B), or an equivalent capstone course in any UCLA Anderson MBA program, with a passing grade. Students are individually evaluated by three UCLA faculty members who supervise the project to ensure that the students’ work and contribution adhere to the rigorous academic requirements of the program.

Program Schedule and Modality

Core classes are held at the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management on Fridays and Saturdays. Three sections on different schedules are available depending on student demand. Section one meets on campus every other week. Section two blends online asynchronous content and in-person instruction, and meets on campus monthly. Section three blends online synchronous content with in-person instruction and meets on campus monthly. However, Section three may be on the same schedule as Sections one or two based on incoming student preference. All sections complete the same courses in the same sequence and earn the same M.B.A. degree. All sections begin with a five-day residential session. Up to 12% of the program curriculum can be taken in an online-synchronous (i.e., remote) modality and applied towards the student’s program requirements.

Academic Standards

The Executive M.B.A. must be completed within two years of matriculation. The minimum time required to complete the M.B.A. program is seven quarters (includes summer term). A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons, including failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00).

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Global Opportunities

The Anderson EMBA program places a strong emphasis on global management. Built into the program is a required international business residency. In addition to that, Anderson offers seven global immersions every year which are open to all the MBA students. Students have a one-week block in the summer for electives, and the school sends students to exchange partners such as London Business School, Bocconi in Italy, Waseda in Japan, ESAN in Peru, as well as schools in Cape Town, Israel, Melbourne, and Brazil. These experiences provide students with invaluable insights into international business practices and diverse cultural perspectives.

Leadership Development

Leadership development is a key focus of the Anderson EMBA program. The first quarter is focused on inclusive leadership. The next two quarters are focused on ethical leadership, and the second year is focused on transformational leadership, which is defined as a mix of industry acumen, tech skills, and analytical skills alongside innovation, inclusivity and collaboration, and purpose driven. The program has a dedicated CLD team - standing for Career and Leadership Development - and all of its career and executive coaches are certified. EMBAs can participate in a lot of one-to-one coaching with the internal career coaches.

Career Resources

UCLA Anderson is the leading business school in Los Angeles, and it has excellent placement in the LA offices of McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, as well as top investment banks. The LA location also has an advantage if you’re considering a career in tech post-MBA. The Parker Career Center has received stunningly positive reviews. The Parker Career Management Center is consistently top-ranked for student satisfaction.

Unique Program Features

Several unique features distinguish the UCLA Anderson EMBA program from its competitors:

Flexibility: The program offers flexible options with hybrid modalities, including online asynchronous and synchronous learning.
Global Focus: The program has a strong global focus with required international business residency and various global immersion opportunities.
Leadership Development: The program has a strong leadership component with dedicated courses and coaching.
Entrepreneurship Focus: The program offers a Business Creation Program where students can launch their own businesses as their capstone project. About half of these businesses are actually launching.
Community: The program fosters a strong sense of community across the programs.

Fit for Prospective Students

You would be a good fit at Anderson if the business school’s personal values of “share success”, “think fearlessly”, and “drive change” resonate with you. Anderson believes in a value-based approach to leadership and a collective approach to success.

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors

As a software engineer, Gus knew he was coming into the MBA process as a non-traditional applicant. He also knew that with his goal to transition into product management, he needed an MBA. At Anderson, the mission is to prepare transformative leaders by developing students to think innovatively, problem-solve, and adapt to others - all with a driven and purposeful mindset.

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