Program Director: David Chandler
Email: david.chandler@ucdenver.edu
​
​Associate Director of Operations and Alumni Engagement: Bethany Cape
Email: bethany.cape@ucdenver.edu

Introduction

Please click here to see more about the Executive MBA program.

The CU Denver Executive MBA is a different degree. It is mission-driven, student-focused, and designed to deliver excellence.

We actively seek diversity because your education is richer when everyone brings a different perspective. We recruit faculty nationwide, from academia and industry, to deliver expertise across the curriculum. We have designed a hybrid, flexible course structure, incorporating both in-person and online class sessions, which requires no career interruption. We support each cohort with a student experience that is second to none.

We are looking for executives and other aspiring leaders who demand something different. Your classmates will be professionals from diverse backgrounds, functional areas, and career stages, exposing you to critical conversations and varied experiences. The knowledge, confidence, and network opportunities you gain will provide the platform for the rest of your career, as well as deliver an immediate impact on your current position and organization. It matters where you get your Executive MBA; allow us to tell you why CU Denver is unique.

Application process 

A new cohort begins each August. Students are admitted to the cohort as applications are received. Our goal is to make the application process as streamlined as possible for you:

• There is no application fee.

• Due to the program’s competitive nature and rolling admissions policy, we strongly recommend submitting your application as soon as possible.

• After submitting your completed application, decisions are delivered via email within 7-10 days.

• Merit-based scholarships are awarded at the time an offer is made.

• Bunker scholarships may also be awarded. These scholarships are named in memory of Susan K. Bunker, a former director of the Executive MBA program, who believed in expanding access to executive education for students from under-represented populations.

Admission requirements  

The CU Denver Executive MBA prepares mid- to senior-level managers for executive leadership. As such, we seek candidates who are currently in management positions with a demonstrated record of achievement and the potential for further promotion. In addition, the ideal candidate is: ambitious, collaborative, and inquisitive. As we curate the cohort and Learning Community, we seek candidates who enrich the educational experience for all cohort members.

All candidates will meet with multiple members of the Executive MBA team throughout the application process. These ongoing conversations help us assess your motivation for pursuing an EMBA, your academic and professional experience, and your future plans.

Application checklist

•  Online application

•  Resume

•  Personal statement

•  Official university transcripts

•  Organization sponsorship statement

•  Two letters of recommendation

All interested applicants are encouraged to contact our head of recruiting, Mary Ann Skadow, to discuss your future with the program.

Scholarships 

The CU Denver Executive MBA program provides a 10% tuition discount for students who work for the CU system or in the nonprofit sector.

Additional merit-based scholarships are available for exceptionally qualified students. 

Employer support 

The valuable skills you will gain in the program will immediately benefit your company, colleagues, and yourself as you apply your knowledge to business challenges. As such, many employers invest in their employees' business education and offer full or partial reimbursement. Contact your company’s human resources department to inquire about tuition support.  

Curriculum and faculty

The program consists of 15 core courses for a total of 45 credit hours. It is designed with working professionals in mind; you will complete your degree in 18 months while you work. Courses balance an essential core (e.g. accounting, finance, leadership, marketing, strategy) with other innovative and topical courses to accelerate the transition to executive leadership. 

International course and trip

This 3-credit course offers students the opportunity to learn about and participate in global business through intensive classroom sessions and first-hand experiences abroad. The course overlays multiple experiential-learning models to offer students unique exposure to global teams, international business, and executive-level insights. Students will implement leadership and management tools to enhance their effectiveness in the international environment. Specifically, and dependent on university risk and safety assessments, students will travel for approximately two weeks during this course. Both before and during the trip, the students will work in teams on a consulting project with a client firm in the country to be visited.

Hybrid method of instruction

The program's hybrid structure allows business leaders to get their MBA without sidelining their careers. This flexible delivery method allows the student to balance the program with the rest of their life, while still engaging with faculty, classmates, and guest speakers. 

On Campus: Classes meet on campus two weekends each term. Classes are held from 8:30 am-4:30 pm Friday and Saturday, and consist of traditional lectures, discussions, and group activities. They provide ample opportunities to work with peers and faculty.  

Online: Virtual conferencing brings the classroom into your home, through Canvas and Zoom. You’ll have access to course assignments, presentations, and discussions with professors and your classmates.  

Hispanic-Serving Institution designation

The University of Colorado Denver regained the federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution in May 2024. At that time, more than 26% of CU Denver’s undergraduates were Hispanic, reflecting the emerging demographics of both Denver and Colorado. More information is available at this link.

Program faculty

The Executive MBA faculty are hand-selected to deliver a transformative learning experience. A third of our faculty are from CU Denver, while the rest of the faculty are from other universities around the country or are leaders in industry. All of our faculty are excellent at bringing their applicable skills and expertise to the classroom. This innovative approach to executive education offers our students access to some of the best instructors in the nation. We are proud of what we are offering and do not think many programs can compete with this level of diversity and excellence.

Course list

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
XBUS 6100	Executive MBA Leadership	3
XBUS 6140	Executive MBA Accounting	3
XBUS 6220	Executive MBA Communication	3
XBUS 6240	Executive MBA Analytical Decision Making	3
XBUS 6300	Executive MBA Economics	3
XBUS 6340	Executive MBA Operations	3
XBUS 6400	Executive MBA Negotiation	3
XBUS 6440	Executive MBA Information Systems	3
XBUS 6520	Executive MBA Finance	3
XBUS 6550	Executive MBA Marketing	3
XBUS 6610	Executive MBA International Business	3
XBUS 6700	Executive MBA Strategy	3
XBUS 6730	Executive MBA Technology Strategy	3
XBUS 6800	Executive MBA Sustainable Value Creation	3
XBUS 6830	Executive MBA Business Model Innovation	3
Total Hours		45

Program mission and learning goals

The CU Denver Executive MBA program produces leaders with the capabilities to manage their organization more effectively. Specifically, the program equips students with the technical knowledge and analytical skills to create value and build a sustainable competitive advantage for their firm, in a diverse and rigorous educational environment.

Goal 1: Act strategically

Formulate and implement strategies that are designed to build a sustainable competitive advantage for the firm.

Goal 2: Think critically

Analyze quantitative and qualitative information to develop counterintuitive, insightful solutions to a given business problem.

Goal 3: Embrace diversity

Appreciate the complexity of organizational life, and the significance of leading an inclusive and representative culture.

Goal 4: Demonstrate technology leadership

Apply relevant technology tools to support business processes and strategic decision making.

Goal 5: Create sustainable value

Redefine the purpose of the for-profit firm in terms of value creation for a broad set of stakeholders over the medium to long term.

These objectives are assessed in relevant courses across the curriculum using exam questions, group projects, in-class presentations, and experiential simulations.