MBA vs. EMBA: What's the Difference?

Both a Master of Business Administration program and Executive Master of Business Administration program will provide the knowledge and skills you need to become a leader in your company or organization. But which program you choose depends on what you have already done in your career, and where you’d like to go from there.

How are an MBA and EMBA different?

There are a few ways that the professional MBA and the EMBA degree programs differ.

Years of Experience Needed
MBA: To be admitted to the MBA program, it’s preferred that you have a few years of working experience, but it’s not required. An MBA is designed to help you climb the professional ladder at any stage of your professional career.
EMBA: To earn your EMBA degree, you’ll need seven or more years of professional experience, including five or more years of significant managerial or executive experience. The program is designed for seasoned professionals, so you’ll be with classmates who have the same executive experience that you do.

Cohorts vs. Individual Study
MBA: How you progress through the curriculum is up to you, with the exception of completing prerequisites, if required. You can take one class per semester or you can take three—whatever is right for you. It gives you flexibility in scheduling.
EMBA: The EMBA program at UL Lafayette requires enrolling with a cohort, so all students begin and finish the curriculum at the same time. The foundational prerequisite material is incorporated into each course.

Time it Takes to Complete the Degree
MBA: It takes a typical student 2-3 years to complete an MBA program. That time frame depends on whether or not you’re working full time and how many courses you take each semester. At UL Lafayette, most of our students work full time while earning their MBA.
EMBA: It takes between 16 and 18 months to complete your EMBA. Everything is taught at an accelerated pace and at an advanced level, and you don’t follow the standard semester schedule. It’s designed that way so you can immediately apply what you’ve learned in class to your company or organization—without being bogged down by introductory classes or prerequisites.

GMAT Requirement
MBA: You must take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and earn a satisfactory score to be admitted to an MBA program.
EMBA: The GMAT is required. However, if you can demonstrate that you have significant and extensive experience in managing and supervising at the executive level, you may be able to have the GMAT requirement waived.

Concentration Area of Study
MBA: At UL Lafayette, we offer a health care administration concentration for the MBA degree.
EMBA: There are no concentrations available for the EMBA, because the program is fast-paced and uses a cohort system. There is so much information packed into the 16 to 18 months that there isn’t enough time for each student to pursue an additional or customizable area of study.

How are an MBA and EMBA similar?

Designed for Professionals
The MBA and EMBA programs are designed so they won’t interfere with your working hours. All MBA classes are offered in the evening, so you can continue to work full time while you’re also gaining more experience on the job. EMBA cohort classes are taught every other Friday evening and the following Saturday, so students can spend the week focusing on their organization and the weekend focusing on their studies.

Courses and Curriculum
The MBA and EMBA programs include the same courses, so you’re receiving the same information whether you’re earning your MBA degree or EMBA degree. However, in the MBA program, If you don’t have an undergraduate degree in business, you may be required to take courses that introduce you to the foundational theories and principles of business. In the EMBA program, the foundational theories and principles are incorporated into the intensive courses so that, combined with your professional experience, you can dive right into the higher level material.

Learn more about the:
MBA Program >
EMBA Program >