Curriculum
A degree created to meet the demands of your next career step
The Wisconsin Executive MBA curriculum—redesigned in 2023—will grow you as a leader, empower you to develop strategies to move your organization forward, and give you the tools to innovate as business evolves.
Program at a glance
- Part-time–Earn your degree while working full time
- Hybrid–Attend weekly online classes + one weekend per month on campus
- Accelerated–Finish in just 18 months
Program Schedule
- Online classes meet from 6 to 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday evenings.
- In-person classes meet one weekend per month: Saturday from 8 to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 8 to 4:30 p.m. CT.
- The class schedule may change. See the Executive MBA Class Calendar for details: Fall 2025 Cohort Calendar (PDF)
Module 1: Develop as a Leader takes place throughout the program, as do executive mentoring and presentation coaching.
Key Program Dates
August
In-Person Residency (5 days)
Immersion Week
September
Module 1: Develop as a Leader begins
Module 2: Run the Business begins
October
November
December
Two-week break
January
February
March
In-Person Residency (4 days)
April
Module 3: Grow the Business begins
May
One month break
June
July
August
One month break
September
Module 4: Transform the Business begins
October
November
December
Two-week break
January
February
Program ends
Sample On-Campus Weekend
One weekend a month, you’ll come to UW–Madison to collaborate with your cohort and learn in person. Your on-campus weekend will involve a mix of lectures and hands-on activities, including team-building exercises, icebreakers, and more.
| Time | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| 8–10 a.m. | Lecture/Activity | Lecture |
| 10–10:30 a.m. | Break | Break |
| 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. | Activity | Discussion |
| 12–1 p.m. | Lunch | Lunch |
| 1–2:30 p.m. | Activity | Lecture/Activity |
| 2:30–3 p.m. | Break | Break |
| 3–4 p.m. | Lecture | Lecture & Discussion |
| 4–5 p.m. | Q&A/Work Time | Closing Activity (finishes at 4:30 p.m.) |
In-Person Residencies
Spend two weeks with your classmates at the beautiful UW–Madison campus.
Our innovative residencies include programming on transformational leadership and executive-level communication, as well as programming designed to expand your network and enhance your team skills.
You’ll also dive deep into current business topics like sustainability, ethics, DEI, and technology while establishing new professional and personal connections.
Residency 1
Kick off your executive MBA with Immersion Week. During this fast-paced, five-day residency, you’ll examine your strengths as a leader and learn, discuss, and practice skills like conveying your vision, effective storytelling, implementing organizational change, and more.
Residency 2
Spend four days continuing to enhance your executive presence and communication skills with a focus on crisis communication and communicating to executive boards. You’ll also start your capstone project during this residency.
Experiential Learning
Put what you learn into practice.
- Nonprofit assessment
- Plan for growth
- Consulting
Take Your Degree a Step Further
Build further expertise in a specific business area important to your career goals when you need it. Program graduates have the option to take two non-credit badges* free of cost** within five years of graduating. Current badge options include:
Business Analytics
Learn to make data-based decisions and bridge the gap between managers and data scientists. Coursework includes data visualization, machine learning, and databases.
Customer Insight
Enhance marketing and data analysis skills through courses in strategic pricing, consumer behavior, and digital marketing.
Financial Insight
Boost your financial savviness with courses in corporate financial theory, managerial accounting, and risk management.
Global Business
Dive into global issues and travel to businesses in another country during our Global Immersion Experience.
Watch the Intro to Global Business Badge video–link opens in a new tab
Business Sustainability
Learn about sustainability, responsibility, and ethics. Developing practices that impact diverse stakeholders.
Strategic Growth
Build skills for expanding your organization and overcoming business challenges. Coursework includes general growth strategy, as well as marketing and digital strategies.
Strategic Innovation
Develop your entrepreneurialism and creative thinking through coursework in management, product, and design innovation.
Real Estate
Gain real estate fundamentals with courses covering the development process, property analysis and commercial investment.
Consulting
Gain applied problem-solving skills to help your organization implement strategies and overcome challenges. Coursework focuses on internal consulting through experiential learning.
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