All You Need to Know About Joint Executive MBA Programs

The prominence of joint executive MBA programs in postgraduate education continues to rise. Offering the best of cross-country education, students are able to take advantage of the resources of numerous world-class universities with a strong focus on international agenda.

Another huge pull for students is the opportunity to travel to different locations through the program, and apply theories learned to cultural, economic and political landscapes across the globe.

Why consider a joint EMBA program?

There are a number of reasons why joint executive MBA programs benefit students:

• Financial benefits: With a joint EMBA program, you’ll earn two EMBAs instead of just one – a real bargain when you think about it.
• Resources: Students have access to faculty, research, and curriculums from two reputable institutions instead of just one, meaning participants pool resources to best pave the way for their career post-studies.
• Alumni outcomes and networks: Graduates have access to combined alumni networks, which will boost career opportunities and enhance their reach further than that found in a solo program.
• Innovation: The open nature of collaboration between business schools in a joint EMBA program paves the way for freely and easily exchanging ideals and expressing new thoughts – the perfect breeding ground for innovation.

What do joint EMBA programs involve?

Usually associated with managers who have extensive work experience – around 10 to 15 years – EMBA candidates can differentiate themselves from MBA students with their level of prior work experience.

As your executive MBA will involve part-time study, it’s important to consider the program schedule to ensure you can complete the program while still working.

An EMBA requires not only a financial commitment, but a personal one. Students need to balance gruelling work schedules alongside the EMBA workload, as well as in many cases supporting a family and holding a full-time senior role.

As many joint programs incorporate business schools from across the globe, modules take place in very different locations to demonstrate a global business view. For example, Rotman School of Management’s Omnium EMBA, takes place across five continents – meaning jet-lagged classes are a given.

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The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and HKUST Business School's joint executive MBA program lasts 18 months including 18 weekends (Friday afternoon to Sunday) and two residential modules in Hong Kong, a 10-day residential module in Chicago, and global elective weeks in six partner school campuses around the world.

Columbia Business School, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and London Business School are ranked for their joint Global Asia program. The 20-month program is made up of 14 core modules and eight electives. Core courses are taught in four- or five-day residential class weeks.

Although the majority of teaching is received in Hong Kong, participants also have class weeks in London and New York. There are also international electives, where participants can choose one or two modules in locations all over the world.

A spokesperson for HKU business school explained to us why the program proves so popular with employers: “The EMBA – Global Asia recruits at truly global and diversified student body, with students coming from over 20 nationalities and work locations.

“The quality and diversity of the students we recruit, together with the truly global experience we provide to our students appeals to employers.”

Our third best joint EMBA program is the TRIUM Global Executive MBA offered by the NYU Stern School of Business, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The program is divided into six modules over an 18-month period – around 10 weeks out of the office. There are two modules in Paris, and the other four modules are in London, California, New York and Shanghai.

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