Founded in 1900, the School of Business established one of the first five business programs in the nation. That entrepreneurial spirit remains strong.
As a student in the School of Business, you will find yourself inspired by peers, staff, alumni, business leaders, and world-renowned faculty who are focused, collaborative, and engaged in every aspect of the student experience. You will join a highly ranked program that equips you to meet both academic and career challenges. Employers value School of Business graduates because of the comprehensive preparation this learning environment provides. Graduates possess highly sought-after general management and specialized expertise in business.
Joining collaborative, inspiring, trustworthy, and progressive School of Business alumni, Business Badger graduates are prepared to lead their organizations to success and transform the world of business. Together Forward!
Executive MBA
The Wisconsin Master of Business Administration in Business: Executive (Executive MBA) is a professional degree for the student advancing their business career. Designed for mid- to senior-level working professionals on the path to leadership or the C-suite, it focuses on helping students expand their leadership, strategy, decision-making, and executive communication skills.
This part-time program that allows students to complete an MBA while continuing full-time employment. The accelerated, hybrid program is delivered 50% on-campus, 50% online. Students attend weekly online classes, as well as in-person classes on campus one weekend per month (Saturday and Sunday), and complete the program in just 18 months.
The curriculum reflects the evolving business landscape and equips students to succeed in executive leadership through classes organized into four modules:
- Develop as a Leader: leadership, negotiations, and management
- Run the Business: finance and operations
- Grow the Business: strategy and growth
- Transform the Business: innovation and change
The program includes two in-person residencies, focusing on transformational leadership and executive-level communications, as well as programming designed to enhance team skills and networking opportunities. Students will also dive deep into current business topics like sustainability, ethics, DEI, and technology.
Developing executive presence is a signature element of the program. Students have access to personalized leadership assessments and career visioning and coaching, as well as a variety of career services.
Admissions
| Fall Deadline | See program webpage: https://business.wisc.edu/graduate/mba/executive/admissions/ |
| Spring Deadline | This program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | This program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not required but may be considered if available. |
| English Proficiency Test | All applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Pearson Test of English (PTE), or the Intensive English as a Second Language (IELTS). A minimum iBT TOEFL score of 100 or equivalent, computer-based PTE score of 73 or equivalent, or IELTS score of 7.5 or equivalent, obtained within two years of the intended start term, is required. International applicants who have completed a degree at an institution whose primary language of instruction was English may request a waiver of this requirement on the application. |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | Not required, however GMAT or Executive Assessment may be considered. |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 1* |
- *
Submission of a second letter of recommendation is optional.
Graduate admission to the Business: Executive Program follows the guidelines set by the Graduate School for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Graduate School at the University of Wisconsin–Madison offers an open, dynamic and respectful learning and working environment for all members of our community.
We are committed to a strong, conscious effort to build diversity across our learning community, so it can reflect the richness of the world around us in race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, economic status, physical limitation, religious beliefs or cultural background.
The Admissions Team conducts a holistic review that considers many factors - including personal and professional achievements.
Admissions Requirements for the Business: Executive MBA Program
- Complete an online application
- One essay
- Current résumé
- One professional recommendation
- Official transcripts
- English Proficiency Test (for non-native English speakers)
- Copy of H1-B Visa or Permanent Resident Status (international applicants only)
Other Requirements
- A target of ten years of full-time professional work experience
- Admissions interview (by invitation of the admissions committee)
- Application fee
How to Apply
Students interested in business degrees do not apply through the Graduate School application system and should instead refer to the School of Business Admissions page.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 32 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 32 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 30 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203. |
| Other Grade Requirements | N/A |
| Assessments and Examinations | No required assessments or examinations beyond course requirements. |
| Language Requirements | No language requirements. |
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT I S 700 | Financial Accounting | 2 |
| FINANCE 700 | Introduction to Financial Management | 2 |
| GEN BUS 714 | Corporate Governance and Board Membership | 2 |
| GEN BUS 791 | EMBA Consulting Practicum I | 1 |
| GEN BUS 792 | EMBA Consulting Practicum II | 1 |
| M H R 611 | Strategic Talent Management | 2 |
| M H R 628 | Negotiations | 2 |
| M H R 700 | Leading People and Organizations | 2 |
| M H R 716 | Accelerating Innovation | 2 |
| M H R 720 | Leading Change in Organizations | 2 |
| M H R 723 | Business Strategy | 2 |
| M H R 724 | Growth Strategies: Multi Business and Global Arenas | 2 |
| MARKETNG 700 | Marketing Management | 2 |
| MARKETNG 760 | Growth Marketing Strategies | 2 |
| OTM 700 | Operations and Supply Chain Management | 2 |
| OTM 702 | Digital Strategy | 2 |
| OTM 703 | Competing Through Analytics | 2 |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
Students in this program may not take courses outside the prescribed curriculum without faculty advisor and program director approval. Students in this program cannot enroll concurrently in other undergraduate or graduate degree programs.
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Major-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions
No credits of graduate coursework from other institutions are allowed to satisfy requirements.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison
No credits from a UW–Madison undergraduate degree are allowed to count toward the degree.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Careers)
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW-Madison
No credits from the UW–Madison University Special student career are allowed to satisfy requirements.
Probation
Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.
Advisor/Committee
Every graduate student is required to have an advisor. To ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, the Graduate School expects them to meet with their advisor on a regular basis.
In many cases, an advisor is assigned to incoming students. An advisor is a staff member from the program department responsible for providing advice and guidance regarding graduate studies.
Credit per Term Allowed
15 credits
Time Limits
Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
Any student who feels that they have been mistreated by a faculty or staff member has the right to lodge a complaint. Complaints may concern course grades, classroom treatment, program admission, or other issues. To ensure a prompt and fair hearing of any complaint and to protect both the student's rights and the person at whom the complaint is addressed, the grievance procedures below are used in the School of Business.
The person against whom the complaint is directed must be an employee of the School of Business. Any student or potential student may use these procedures unless other campus rules or contracts cover the complaint:
- If the student feels comfortable/safe doing so, the student should first talk with the person against whom the grievance is directed. Most issues can be settled at this level. If the complaint is directed against a teaching assistant (TA) and the student is not satisfied after discussion of the grievance with the TA, the next step would be to talk to the TA's supervisor, who is usually the course professor. If the complaint is still not resolved satisfactorily, the student may continue to step 2.
- If the complaint involves an academic department, the student should contact the chair of the department. The chair will attempt to resolve the problem informally. If this cannot be done to the student's satisfaction, the student may submit the grievance to the chair in writing. This must be done within 60 calendar days of the alleged unfair treatment.
- If the complaint does not involve an academic department, the procedure outlined in Step 4 below should be followed.
- On receipt of a written complaint, the chair will refer the matter to a departmental committee, which will obtain a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed. This response shall be shared with the person filing the grievance. The chair will provide a written decision within 30 days to the student on the action taken by the committee.
- If either party is not satisfied with the decision, they have five working days from receipt of the decision to contact the dean's office (at the number below), indicating the intention to appeal. If the complaint does not involve an academic department in the school, the student must contact the dean's office within 60 calendar days of the alleged unfair treatment.
- In either case, there will be an attempt to resolve the issue informally by the appropriate associate dean. If this cannot be done, the complaint can be filed in writing with the Office of the Dean. This must be done within 10 working days of the time the appealing party was notified that informal resolution was unsuccessful.
- On receipt of such a written complaint, the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer will convene a subcommittee of relevant stakeholders pending the nature of the issue. This subcommittee may ask for additional information from the parties involved and may hold a hearing at which both parties will be asked to speak separately. The subcommittee will then make a written recommendation to the dean of the School of Business who will render a decision. Unless a longer time is negotiated, this written decision shall be made within 20 working days from when the grievance was filed with the Office of the Dean.
Questions about these procedures can be directed to the School of Business, Office of the Dean, 4339 Grainger, 975 University Avenue, 608-262-7867.
State law contains additional provisions regarding discrimination and harassment. Wisconsin Statutes 36.12 reads, in part: "No student may be denied admission to, participation in or the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any service, program, course or facility of the system or its institutions or center because of the student's race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status or parental status." In addition, the UW System prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression. Students have the right to file discrimination and harassment complaints with the Office of Compliance, 361 Bascom Hall, 608-265-6018, uwcomplianceoffice@wisc.edu.
The Graduate School has procedures for students wishing to appeal a grievance decision at the school/college level. These policies are described in the Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures: https://grad.wisc.edu/documents/grievances-and-appeals/
Other
Students in this program are not permitted to seek dual, joint, or double degrees. Students must plan to attend on the dates of the academic calendar for the respective year of graduation. Merit scholarships are awarded at admission for the entirety of the academic program as long as student is in good academic standing. Veterans scholarships also available. Please contact the program office (via the information noted within the contact information box) for details on merit veterans scholarships.
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to diagnose and solve problems by drawing on accumulated knowledge, understanding correlation vs. causation, integrating inductive and deductive reasoning, and being aware of perceptual and conceptual biases.
- Demonstrate the ability to lead and operate effectively with uncertainty and conflicting directions in an unpredictable situation or environment.
- Demonstrate skills in presenting ideas and reasoning effectively and persuasively in a business setting, through both written and oral means.
- Demonstrate an understanding of leadership skills that empower, influence, motivate, and stimulate creative problem solutions and innovative ideas.
- Understand the advantages of a diverse and inclusive workforce and demonstrate the cultural competencies necessary to manage such a workforce. Exhibit openness, awareness, appreciation, and ability to adjust to diversity across cultures and markets; seeking experiences to explore intercultural and socio-cultural systems.
People
For more information about the faculty and their research interests, please visit the directory.
Accreditation
AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Accreditation status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2026–2027.