45 credit hours; cohort structure
18 months; no career interruption
Hybrid delivery (in-person + online)
August start
International trip + consulting project
The CU Denver Executive MBA is a different degree. It is mission-driven, student-focused, and designed to deliver excellence.
We actively seek diversity because your education is richer when everyone brings a different perspective. We recruit faculty nationwide, from academia and industry, to deliver expertise across the curriculum. We have designed a hybrid, flexible course structure, incorporating both in-person and online class sessions, which requires no career interruption. We support each cohort with a student experience that is second to none.
We are looking for executives and other aspiring leaders who demand something different. Your classmates will be professionals from diverse backgrounds, functional areas, and career stages, exposing you to critical conversations and varied experiences. The knowledge, confidence, and network opportunities you gain will provide the platform for the rest of your career, as well as deliver an immediate impact on your current position and organization. It matters where you get your Executive MBA; allow us to tell you why CU Denver is unique.
"Earning my Executive MBA was critical to gaining the skills and confidence to transition from a corporate role to a solopreneur. It's set the stage for the next phase of my career. Staying engaged through networking events and volunteer opportunities has kept me connected to the vast CU Denver community and beyond.”
Danette Muñoz Shaifer
Founder, Florishion Consulting
Class of 2022
"The CU Denver EMBA proved to be an excellent choice for me. While completing the program, I was offered a new role at my company. The program allowed me to advance my career, hone my leadership skills, and strengthen my business acumen.”
Dalip Sethi
Director of Scientific Affairs, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies
Class of 2024
“The CU Denver Executive MBA program gave me the business skills, knowledge, and confidence to design, launch, and then expand a new department at my company.”
Vanessa Samuel
Electrical Engineer and Marketing Manager, Samuel Engineering
Class of 2022
Program mission and learning goals
The CU Denver Executive MBA program produces leaders with the capabilities to manage their organization more effectively. Specifically, the program equips students with the technical knowledge and analytical skills to create value and build a sustainable competitive advantage for their firm, in a diverse and rigorous educational environment.
Goal 1: Act strategically
Formulate and implement strategies that are designed to build a sustainable competitive advantage for the firm.
Goal 2: Think critically
Analyze quantitative and qualitative information to develop counterintuitive, insightful solutions to a given business problem.
Goal 3: Embrace diversity
Appreciate the complexity of organizational life, and the significance of leading an inclusive and representative culture.
Goal 4: Demonstrate technology leadership
Apply relevant technology tools to support business processes and strategic decision making.
Goal 5: Create sustainable value
Redefine the purpose of the for-profit firm in terms of value creation for a broad set of stakeholders over the medium to long term.
The program consists of 15 core courses for a total of 45 credit hours. It is designed with working professionals in mind; you will complete your degree in 18 months while you work. Courses balance an essential core (e.g. accounting, finance, leadership, marketing, strategy) with other innovative and topical courses to accelerate the transition to executive leadership.
International trip
This 3-credit course offers students the opportunity to learn about and participate in global business through intensive classroom sessions and first-hand experiences abroad. The course overlays multiple experiential-learning models to offer students unique exposure to global teams, international business, and executive-level insights. Students will implement leadership and management tools to enhance their effectiveness in the international environment. Specifically, and dependent on university risk and safety assessments, students will travel for approximately two weeks during this course. Both before and during the trip, the students will work in teams on a consulting project with a client firm in the country to be visited.
Hybrid method of instruction
The program's hybrid structure allows business leaders to get their MBA without sidelining their careers. This flexible delivery method allows the student to balance the program with the rest of their life, while still engaging with faculty, classmates, and guest speakers.
On Campus: Classes meet on campus two weekends each term. Classes are held from 8:30 am-4:30 pm Friday and Saturday, and consist of traditional lectures, discussions, and group activities. They provide ample opportunities to work with peers and faculty.
Online: Virtual conferencing brings the classroom into your home, through Canvas and Zoom. You’ll have access to course assignments, presentations, and discussions with professors and your classmates.
Program faculty
The Executive MBA faculty are hand-selected to deliver a transformative learning experience. A third of our faculty are from CU Denver, while the rest of the faculty are from other universities around the country or are leaders in industry. All of our faculty are excellent at bringing their applicable skills and expertise to the classroom. This innovative approach to executive education offers our students access to some of the best instructors in the nation. We are proud of what we are offering and do not think many programs can compete with this level of diversity and excellence.
The faculty and staff directory with course descriptions are available here.
Michelle Marks
Leading Individuals and Teams
Former Chancellor, CU Denver
