How does the Villanova University Executive MBA Program differ from part-time MBA programs?
There are two key ways that the Villanova School of Business Executive MBA Program differs:

• Our curriculum. Our Executive MBA Curriculum was developed specifically for executive leaders. We did not simply take a two-year MBA program and reformat it. This program has been built from the ground up to meet the unique development and delivery format needs of today’s executive leaders. The curriculum is organized into five streams that focus on the competencies that executive leaders need to succeed. Since most students already have an area of specialization (which may or may not be in a business field), our program does not include a specialization component but instead provides a broad, systemic knowledge base.
   
• Our students. Villanova School of Business Executive MBA Program students are carefully selected to include a diverse mix of executives. We ensure that our students can handle the academic rigor of the program, have the depth of experience to contribute substantively in a highly interactive learning environment, and have the desire to be an active member of our learning community. Another key difference is that our students are more experienced. In the most recent starting class, the average student age is 35, and the average years of work experience is 13. In contrast, a part-time MBA program typically has a significantly higher number of students with less experience. In addition, Villanova School of Business Executive MBA classmates remain the same from class to class, allowing them to build strong peer networks.

How will my organization benefit from sponsoring a Villanova School of Business Executive MBA Program student?
Your organization will benefit by:

• Accelerating the development of the company’s future executive leaders. Our Executive MBA Program is a concentrated program of relevant content that spans 21 months. During this period, the students are immersed every other weekend in an intense learning environment with a diverse group of people. The result? A transformation that takes place in a relatively short period of time.
   
• Recognizing and rewarding strong performers. Sponsoring an employee in the Villanova School of Business  Executive MBA Program sends a strong message of appreciation for past contributions and a commitment to the individual’s future growth.
   
• Retaining valuable employees. Many employees reach a point in their careers when they need new challenges. Sponsoring an employee in our program, then focusing on how to best match the employee’s desires and newly acquired skills with the needs of your organization are significant elements of an effective retention strategy.

Isn’t there a risk that the employee will leave the organization after completing the Executive MBA program?
A fundamental part of the Villanova School of Business  Executive MBA Program is the ongoing partnership between the sponsoring organization, the student, and our staff. To that end, we ask each sponsoring organization to identify an employee who will work with the student over the 21-months spanned by the program to help the student and the organization identify how to best utilize the student’s newly acquired skills within the organization.

What does “company sponsorship” mean?
Company sponsorship has two key elements:

• Financial commitment, i.e. the payment of the program costs. In most cases, this financial sponsorship is outside of existing tuition reimbursement programs that the organization may have in place.
   
• Time commitment. Sponsors provide students with the time away from work they will need to attend class. Typically, this time is not considered as a part of the employee’s vacation time. Rather, it is treated as other compensated time away from work.

My employee lives close to Villanova. Why does he/she have to stay overnight on the Friday night of a class weekend?
A key element of our program is its learning community. By being in residency, the student can focus for two days every other week on learning, free of distractions in an environment that supports both formal and informal interaction among the students and the faculty. Friday evenings are spent in activities such as meetings with senior executives from around the country, meeting in the student's study group to work on group projects, and informal social gatherings to strengthen the network with the student's peers. This opportunity to network in a protected environment is a critical part of the shared learning experience.

May I visit a class to see what the classroom environment is like?
We strongly encourage company representatives who are considering sponsoring an executive for the first time in our program, to meet with us informally to learn more about the program. If, after that meeting, the program appears to be a match, we encourage a visit to a class. It provides a great opportunity for you to experience the program. If you would like to arrange a meeting, please contact the Villanova School of Business Executive MBA Program.

Is the program accredited?
Yes, it is accredited as a part of the Villanova School of Business. VSB is accredited by AACSB, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

When do the classes meet?
Classes meet every other week on Friday and Saturday for 21 months. The classes start Friday at 9:00 a.m. and are done at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The program begins each August with one week in residency.

How much does the program cost?
Tuition for 2009-2010 is $90,000. This includes tuition, housing, and meals on scheduled class dates, books, administrative and program fees, and expenses related to the international experience.

What are the selection criteria?
We work very hard to create a diverse class of executive students who can learn from each other as well as the faculty. In order to create this unique learning environment, we make admissions decisions based on evidence of the prospective student's: ability to handle the academic rigor of the program; ability to contribute substantively in a highly interactive learning environment; and desire to be an active member of our learning community.