How is the Executive MBA program structured?

Our Executive MBA (EMBA) program is designed to accommodate full-time working professionals. Students can complete the program in a minimum of twenty (20) months, taking four courses per semester (Fall, Winter), to a maximum of six years. Most students elect to complete the program in the minimum amount of time.

Courses are offered from September to April, with courses being delivered Friday and Saturday every other weekend.

How are courses sequenced?

Students complete fourteen (14) courses, including the two-course equivalent Business Research in Practice. Some courses have prerequisites; therefore, most courses must be taken in sequence.

The first phase of the program focuses on enhancing managerial skills and understanding functional business topics. Students have the opportunity to take four courses in each of the semesters (Fall, Winter). The second phase of the program focuses on developing strategic perspectives and application to a dynamic global environment. Students have the opportunity to take four courses in the Fall semester of their second year.

What is the Business in Research Practice course?

The Business Research in Practice course is a two-credit course that requires students to complete a project or a set of projects involving in-depth research. Students can choose between the EMBA capstone course (scheduled over the final Winter semester) or the traditional signature project (typically started in the spring/summer following the first year and finalized in the Winter semester of the second year).

The EMBA capstone course is a competition-based course where students complete three projects, spaced out evenly over the final Winter semester of the program. For each project, students are expected to write a short paper and do an oral presentation. Types of projects may include case analyses and critically appraised topics. Students are expected to apply the concepts learned in the core courses and make evidence-based recommendations.

Alternatively, the signature project is an independent research project (academic business research, consulting project, or a business plan) that provides students with the opportunity to apply and demonstrate the management concepts and skills acquired in the program. The project is to be approved and supervised by a faculty advisor. The final outcome of the signature project is a written paper and a public presentation.

What is the expected workload during a typical semester of study?

Normally, students will take four courses per semester over a total of eight (8) weekends (Friday and Saturday). In-class time will be 36 hours per course (or nine [9] hours per course per week). You can also expect to spend approximately 15–20 hours per week in addition to class time on course and team work.

What financing options are available to me?

UPEI’s School of Business has up to seven (7) EMBA Entrance Awards valued from $3,500 to $5,000, which are offered each year to incoming EMBA students based on academic and professional achievements, as well as leadership skills or potential. Visit the UPEI Scholarships and Awards website for more information about these entrance awards and to see other scholarships, bursaries, and awards that have been established for the EMBA program.

Your employer may also be willing to sponsor you for the EMBA Program. Please contact the EMBA Coordinator if you have further questions about sponsorship. Moreover, RRSPs provide a source of funding. Under the Canadian Income Tax laws, you are able to borrow up to $10,000 per year, to a maximum of $20,000, through the Lifelong Learning Program. Your student status will also have significant tax implications in your favour, as tuition fees greatly reduce the true cost of the EMBA program.

If I do not have an undergraduate degree, but have managerial experience or a professional designation, do I qualify for program entry?

Most candidates for admission to the EMBA program hold an undergraduate degree; however, this is not an absolute requirement for entrance. Professional designations such as CA, CMA, CGA, CPA, CFA, or PEng will also be considered.

At UPEI, we also encourage exceptional managers who lack a formal degree but have other outstanding qualifications to apply to the Program. We will review what you “know and can do” and assess your knowledge and skills against a standard that we would expect a university graduate to possess. If you successfully meet this standard and the other admission criteria, then you may be accepted into the program. While we limit the number of applicants admitted on this basis, we strongly urge you to apply if you believe you possess the equivalent knowledge and skills.

I have never taken a business course and my experience is not in business. Am I eligible for admission to your EMBA Program?

Yes. Many of our students come with non-business undergraduate degrees. We are seeking applicants with relevant work experience, including managerial, supervisory, leadership, new venture ownership, professional, and project development experience. Our candidates come to the Program with a wide range of experiences from the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

May I transfer credits to receive advanced standing?

Our EMBA program is highly integrated and does not easily lend itself to module-by-module credit for advanced standing. The courses designed for the Program are of high value for interpersonal skills building, team building, and leadership development. We therefore limit the transfer of relevant, graduate-level credits from recognized universities.