Program Description

The Coles Executive MBA (EMBA) is designed for working professionals with a strong desire to advance their careers. In only 18 months, approximately one weekend (Saturday/Sunday) a month, Coles EMBA provides the strategic business and leadership skills needed to achieve personal and professional success. Coles’ cutting-edge global teaming experience, program-long executive coaching, and customized integrated curriculum are just a few of the differences that lead to its internationally ranked and accredited status. Be a commanding business leader with a Coles Executive MBA. 

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to: 

1. Teaming, Coaching, and Collaboration: Evaluate team dynamics to create a high-performance team environment that leverages diverse skills and backgrounds, including coaching skills.
2. Leadership Development: Develop a personalized leadership philosophy by analyzing core strengths, values, and potential growth areas, enabling students to apply these insights in guiding teams and fostering resilience in organizational contexts.
3. Strategic Thinking & Problem-Solving - Formulate effective strategic solutions by applying structured frameworks for complex problem-solving, including situational analysis and scenario planning to predict and address organizational challenges.
4. Global Business Acumen - Assess the impact of global economic, political, and cultural factors on business operations to design strategies that enable organizations to adapt effectively to international market dynamics.
5. Financial and Data-Driven Decision Making - Interpret financial statements and key performance metrics to justify and recommend data-driven decisions that optimize organizational resources and long-term profitability.
6. Ethical Decision-Making - Critique real-world business cases to distinguish between ethical and unethical practices and construct ethical decision-making frameworks that enhance organizational integrity and social responsibility.

This program is a part of the Michael J. Coles College of Business .

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Admissions, Enrollment, and Graduation Criteria

Admissions Criteria

Admission to the Coles Executive MBA Program is based on a competitive process. The following are program-specific criteria beyond the general Graduate Graduate Admissions  requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office:

• Baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited in a manner accepted by Kennesaw State University (See ”Admission Criteria for Applicants Without an Undergraduate Degree” below). 
• A resume showing a minimum of five (5) years of relevant post-graduate professional experience. 
• One letter of recommendation speaking to leadership, teaming, and/or other professional qualifications. 
• An interview with the appropriate Coles EMBA Recruitment Director. 
• Completed Executive MBA application.

*International applicants have additional requirements; see the KSU Graduate Admissions section of this catalog. 

Admission Criteria for Unique Cases

The Coles EMBA Admissions Office at Kennesaw State University will consider a limited number of applications from individuals without an undergraduate degree based on the following (in addition to the other requirements outlined above): 

• A minimum of 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework from an accredited institution. 
• A resume indicating ten years of significant business experience. 
• A GMAT score of 550 or greater. 
• A panel interview with faculty members, which results in a favorable recommendation by all. 
• Final review and approval by the Dean of the Graduate College. 

Students admitted to the EMBA program without an undergraduate degree shall number no more than 5% of the final class headcount.

Transfer Credit

The Coles Executive MBA is a cohort based, lock-step curriculum program. Students enrolled in the Coles Executive MBA program will not be given program credit for courses taken at other institutions. 

Enrollment Criteria

This program does not have specific enrollment criteria; however, students are expected to meet the requirements of Academic Policy 4.0 ACADEMIC STANDING, DISMISSAL, & REINSTATEMENT .

Graduation Criteria

Each student is expected to meet the requirements outlined in Academic Policy 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION .

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Program Course Requirements