Business Administration, M.B.A., Executive MBA Program

The Rockhurst University Executive MBA program, begun in 1978, was the first executive program in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The program of study allows the executive to step beyond his or her current position to explore and test personal and professional capabilities for new and greater growth and responsibility. The Executive MBA Program at Rockhurst University is designed to serve local and regional professionals in developing their executive capability. The program awards a Master of Business Administration degree.

The Helzberg School of Management offers this program as a mid-career development experience for early high potential, middle-, and upper-level managers to enhance their general management abilities. A new cohort begins each fall and meets once monthly on both a Friday and Saturday throughout the 21-month program.

The Executive student gains skills and knowledge from lectures, case studies, projects, guided simulations, and interaction with peers, guests and experienced faculty. During the first year of the program the comprehensive curriculum delivers a Leadership Core followed by Leader Formation in the second year. Executive MBA courses are designated by 7000-level course numbers. Students must complete the entire degree with a minimum of 46 hours. Four of these credits are electives and can be 6000-level courses. 

All EMBA students must adhere to the Helzberg School of Management  Graduate Business Programs Standards and Policies.

Admission Requirements

Executive MBA applicants interview with two program faculty in the competitive selection process. An Executive MBA candidate should have eight or more years progressive, professional work experience and at least two to five years managerial work experience. 

In addition to the Helzberg School of Management  Graduate Business Program Admission Requirements, an Executive MBA applicant will provide:

• Two professional letters of recommendation
• Personal statement

Executive MBA applicants are generally waived from the GMAT/GRE requirement based on prior work experience. Please note: Individuals with significant professional experience who have not obtained an undergraduate degree may be considered for admission into the Executive MBA program at the sole discretion of the dean, in consultation with the provost.

Program Goals

• Develop executive leadership skills that align with Jesuit values and positively impact personal and organizational effectiveness.
• Develop personal worldviews guided by ethical theories; analyze, appreciate, and evaluate corporate social responsibility in terms of the firm’s stakeholders and community and industry standards for sustainability.
• Demonstrate business acumen through application of functional skills and knowledge in strategic management contexts.
• Demonstrate a world perspective that views organizational activity within a global context where international complexities and relationships are recognized.
• Exhibit effective executive decision-making by analyzing and evaluating business situations according to salient strategic issues, making effective and logical use of various information sources.
• Exhibit executive presence in written and oral communication for formal, informal, and interpersonal situations and that result in clear and influential communication.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate ability to analyze leadership strengths and developmental opportunities and create an actionable plan that results in measurable skill improvements by end-of-program.
• Design/ execute/ present an organizational change initiative.
• Able to formulate and defend a personal worldview that includes: a. Stakeholder analysis while discriminating between and among primary, secondary and tertiary stakeholders. b. Delineation of ethical principles.
• Analyze various business situations, including international, involving decisions from an executive viewpoint considering impact and consequences on all stakeholders.
• Apply functional skills and knowledge to strategic and/or tactical planning.
• Evaluate the ways that political, economic, legal and cultural factors affect international business and apply the evaluation to international management situations.
• Able to appraise and assess business markets and firm positions regarding: a. Competitive structure b. Firm strategies c. External market factors.
• Able to deliver informative and persuasive communications in written and oral form that: a. are organized, and well supported with facts and logical interpretation. b. Present with clarity and effect big ideas using story-based narrative. c. Publish in final form accurately, concisely, and coherently.