The Executive MBA-Europe is delivered in a series of one-week modules that provide truly global exposure.  Thunderbird's international professors travel to the various modules to lead the program course series. Professors from The Graduate Institute in Geneva also bring their expertise on core subjects. The program runs in parallel to the US-based EMBA, and the course design includes several global engagements between the cohorts during global field seminars.

Program Announcement: The Executive MBA has introduced iPad media to facilitate program engagement. Participants are provided with an iPad2 as a learning tool to enhance program experience. See below for further details...

Program Format

Modular Delivery

The Executive MBA is delivered in 12 face-to-face modules over 18 months, including:

Modules are held about every five to eight weeks, with the entire program calendar set in advance for accommodating business and personal schedules. Modules typically include eight days of class sessions (from Saturday to Saturday).

Each module includes between two and four subjects. Thunderbird's Executive MBA curriculum, while rigorous, is delivered in a corporate retreat environment (business casual), in relaxed, interactive and collaborative class sessions that draw upon student experience.

In each module, classes are held from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including time for lunch and breaks. Three field seminar modules (international locations beyond Geneva) include content that is regionally-based, such as guest lectures, company site visits and applied projects.

As the cohort draws from a broad range of locations, most participants stay together in local Geneva hotel accommodations. (Housing is included for the orientation module, two modules abroad and for the Arizona module on campus. See tuition & fees for more information.)

Academic Course Materials

Thunderbird's online platform, the "Thunderbird Learning Environment," provides a course site for each subject in the series. In advance of each module, participants are provided with access to course syllabi, case studies and related academic materials online, providing ubiquitous access from home, work, or when participants are traveling. Traditional textbooks are used for more technical subjects, and are provided at least one full month in advance of the module (typically distributed in the previous module). For other course materials, the program is moving toward an 'e-book' platform.

Introducing the iPad

Executive MBA | Curriculum | IpadFor expanded learning opportunities, participants will each receive an iPad 2 at the start of the program (inclusive in program fees), pre-loaded with course materials, case studies and related applications. Thunderbird professors integrate technology applications where applicable to drive the Executive MBA learning experience. The iPad brings new applications for collaboration, both in class and remotely between sessions.

This brings program enhancements and student benefits, including:

  • Ease in maintaining & organizing course materials
  • Expanded options for e-learning tools, e-books and file sharing
  • Increased options for collaboration in class
  • Direct access to Thunderbird's online learning portal
  • Remote videoconferencing for project teams between classes with iPad2 camera

Additional Benefits:

  • More than 65,000 apps, and growing
  • Requires no boot-up time and features a 10-hour battery life
  • Supports the program's greening initiative

Benefits of the Modular Study Format

The modular program allows you dedicated time away from your busy balance of work-life-family to concentrate and focus on learning. It also allows you true professional mobility in that you can continue your degree should your career advancement require you to change locations.

Lessons learned from modules can be applied directly to your own personal work situation or towards your firm's objectives when you return to work after each module. The impact of your degree doesn't happen after graduation - it begins with the very first module!

See the program calendar for actual dates and locations for each module.