# What Is an Executive MBA

**Source**: https://business.rice.edu/admissions-blog/what-is-executive-mba
**Parent**: https://business.rice.edu/admissions-blog/5-reasons-executives-chose-rice-mba

If you’re a mid-career pro, you could be eyeing the C-suite, a career pivot, or the start of your own venture. You might also be wondering whether an [Executive MBA](https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/executive-mba) could help you get there.

If that sounds like you, you’re in good company. For many professionals, an Executive MBA isn't just a smart option — it’s a strategic career move with long-term payoffs.

### What Sets an EMBA Apart From Other MBA Programs?

Executive MBA programs (EMBA) differ from a traditional [full-time MBA](https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/full-time-mba) and other working professional MBAs in a few key ways:

- Classes — structured to work around your career, scheduled on weekends or in short intensive blocks.
- Curriculum — zeroes in on senior-level leadership and strategy, rather than entry-level fundamentals.
- Student peers — managers and executives who bring years of real-world experience to the program.

This last point about the EMBA class profile is probably the most notable. At Rice Business, the typical Executive MBA student brings:

The cohort-based EMBA brings students to campus two weekends per month.

- 15-plus years of professional experience
- 5-plus years in management or executive roles
- A drive to sharpen their leadership skills and executive presence

At its core, EMBA programs are built for professionals who are already leading at work — and are ready for what’s next. It’s not a pause in your career; it’s a way to deepen your expertise, expand your network, and position yourself for bigger opportunities without stepping away from your current role.

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### The Rice EMBA, at a Glance

Rice’s [STEM-certified](https://business.rice.edu/admissions-blog/STEM-certified-MBA) EMBA program takes 22 months to complete — giving students time to build a strong foundation in core business fundamentals; explore electives tailored to their interests; and strengthen their leadership skills through hands-on experience. 

Executive MBA students can tailor their degree with more than 100 elective options.

The Rice Business EMBA includes:

- [Core courses](https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/executive-mba/curriculum) in corporate finance, strategic marketing and business analytics
- [100-plus electives](https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/executive-mba/curriculum/emba-course-descriptions) to choose from (depending on your schedule), such as “Entrepreneurship in Biotech” and “Corporate Rivalry”
- Personalized executive coaching and intensive leadership development
- A [Global Field Experience](https://business.rice.edu/rice-business-global/global-field-experience) that builds problem-solving skills in an international setting

Our cohort-based model meets two weekends per month, fostering close connections among classmates and a professional network that lasts long after graduation.

### The ROI of the Rice EMBA

Rice EMBA students don’t just learn from top faculty — they learn from each other. The program pairs personalized leadership coaching with a diverse, experienced peer group that brings real-world insight into every discussion. 

And the return on investment goes beyond the classroom, with lasting benefits like:

- **Career growth.**Step into C-suite roles like CEO and COO, or make a confident pivot into a new industry.
- **Lifelong learning.**Continue to grow by auditing courses as an alum.
- **Entrepreneurial mindset.** Launch your own venture with tools from the nation’s [No. 1 Graduate Entrepreneurship Program](https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/why-rice-business/entrepreneurial-mindset).
- **Network expansion.** Build lasting connections with peers and industry leaders across sectors.

Hear about Executive MBA alum Dan Tinker's decision to pursue a Rice MBA and how he took a business from bankruptcy to an $18 billion acquisition:

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### Houston: The Ideal EMBA Destination

Houston isn’t just the energy capital of the world — it’s also one of the fastest-growing and most diverse business hubs in the country. With two major airports and a central U.S. location, Houston offers easy access to global markets.

Rice University is in the heart of Houston, just minutes from the Texas Medical Center.

As a Rice EMBA student, you’ll tap into premier events and insights across industries like energy, tech and healthcare. Our home base, McNair Hall, sits minutes from the [world’s largest medical complex](https://www.tmc.edu/) and is within reach of the [second-highest concentration](https://www.50pros.com/fortune500) of Fortune 500 headquarters in the nation.  

Whether you're aiming to rise within your company or launch a new venture, Houston’s business ecosystem connects you directly to industry leaders, global perspectives and high-growth opportunities.

And when class is over? There’s always something happening in [Space City](https://business.rice.edu/admissions-blog/why-houston-best-city-for-MBA). 

### Where Can the Rice Executive MBA Take You?

The Rice EMBA is built to help you apply what you learn right away — so you can make an impact in your current role while preparing for what’s next. Along the way, you’ll gain a close-knit network of peers and mentors you can rely on for years to come. 

If you’re an experienced professional ready to lead at a higher level, the Rice EMBA could be the next step. 

[Explore Our Executive MBA](https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/executive-mba)

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### [5 Reasons These Executives Chose the Rice MBA](https://business.rice.edu/admissions-blog/5-reasons-executives-chose-rice-mba)

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### [5 Reasons These Full-Time MBAs Chose Rice](https://business.rice.edu/admissions-blog/why-full-time-mbas-chose-rice)

From our career outcomes and alumni network to Houston hub and curriculum, here are five reasons our Full-Time MBA students chose Rice Business.

## Keep Exploring

[Rice Business MBA Blog](https://business.rice.edu/mba-admissions/admit-it-rice-business-mba-blog)