UTA College of Business Executive MBA program empowers leaders
Earning a Master of Business Administration is an advantageous path for students to develop the skills they need to reach the next level of their careers. With a variety of ways to earn an MBA through many variations of curriculum, an Executive MBA (EMBA) allows students to forge close networks with established professionals to gain new perspectives and improve leadership skills.
The University of Texas at Arlington College of Business EMBA program is designed for seasoned professionals looking to take the next step in further developing their leadership abilities and exploring new business environments. This 17-month program focuses on team-based curriculum where smaller classes, or cohorts, spend the entirety of the program working with each other to solve real-world issues.
“The EMBA program is for working professionals who are looking to challenge themselves and advance within their careers,” said Hakim Sims, UTA College of Business Executive MBA Program Director. “The cohort style of learning brings a very unique aspect to the classroom where professors and students come together from different industries with prior experience to challenge and learn from one another.”
The University of Texas at Arlington Fort Worth Center sign surrounds the Fort Worth Skyline. (Courtesy photo)
This diversity in experience exposes students to new ways of thinking from current industry professionals and builds their networks to create lasting working relationships.
While the students create a shared forum for the exchange of ideas, members of the faculty go above and beyond to ensure students are receiving the best information possible to mold them for the next level of leadership.
“We get a lot of individuals who have either already been in a leadership role or aspire to be in a leadership role. We interview our candidates prior to accepting them to see if they’re a good fit and to learn about what they’re looking for in the program,” said Sims. “To make sure they’re ready for the next step in their professional journey, we give them executive coaching, LinkedIn and professional branding information, business etiquette classes, executive resume assistance from HR professionals and plenty of other resources.”
Along with professional coaching, the EMBA curriculum also involves networking events, team-based projects, and travel abroad opportunities. Through working with each other, special speakers, and trips overseas, students gain a deeper understanding of the business world through new environments and perspectives.
The program selects candidates with experience within their fields, many of whom come from C-suite and executive offices, leading to a wealth of new ideas. The program is designed to fit the schedules for working individuals and classes are conducted at the UTA Fort Worth campus predominantly on Saturdays from 8 A.M. until 5 P.M. with lunch provided. All classes, food, and books are paid for in tuition.
“The average price for an EMBA program is sitting at about $126,000 nationally. Our program is set at $50,000. We’re one of the most affordable AACSB accredited programs in the area,” said Sims. “We have always been big on trying to make our programs as affordable as possible. Our students are trying to make the best investment for themselves, and our goal is to help them do it with as little debt as possible.”
This attention to students’ lifestyles and focus on affordability makes the program a great investment for those looking to develop the skills and ideas necessary to advance to the next stage of their careers.
“When I enrolled in the program, I was already in a high-level role for the organization I worked at. I needed a program to teach me at a high-level where I could take the next step in my career,” said Willie Rankin Jr., UTA EMBA Alumni and Director of the Institute to Advance Child Care. “The program helped me understand what decisions had to be made at a CFO level.”
While many students see promotions or an increase in salary after completion of an EMBA, their participation in the program also develops soft skills and builds confidence within future leaders.
“I think the biggest benefit I received was confidence. It gave me confidence that I was educated with new skill sets and showed me that I was able to compete with some of the best in the DFW area,” said Rankin.
With a focus on a cohort style of curriculum, EMBA alumni build lasting bonds and remain in contact after the course work is finished, creating relationships that propel them forward to find even greater success.
“A lot of alumni have come back and said they’ve seen a return on their investment, whether that was a pay raise, career advancement of both, it’s definitely an investment in yourself,” said Sims. “Once you have been a part of the EMBA program, you are forever part of the EMBA program. The knowledge, experience, and relationships you make here will stay with you forever.”
For more information about the UTA College of Business EMBA program, please contact hakim.sims@uta.edu.
A University of Texas at Arlington Executive Master of Business Administration cohort poses with the “Mav Up” hand sign prior to graduation at the UTA Fort Worth Center. (Photo by Sharon Ellman)