UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Smeal Executive MBA in Philadelphia recently enhanced its program format for Fall 2022, providing students with unmatched flexibility and customizable options to tailor a curriculum that aligns with their unique career ambitions.

“This redesign offers students more curricular concentrations and flexibility than any other EMBA program on the market today,” said Brian Cameron, Smeal associate dean of professional graduate programs and executive education.

Previously a 17-month, in-person format, the updated EMBA program allows students to take in-person alternating weekend classes in Philadelphia for the first 13 months before completing the program online. In this model, students can choose among 13 available concentrations, or handpick graduate courses from Smeal to create a custom concentration, allowing them to customize a personal learning plan in pursuit of their professional goals.

EMBA Managing Director Teresa Avery said these changes, such as the combination of in-person and remote learning experiences, invite students to make the most out of their EMBA experience.

“The program offers the best of both worlds: a collaborative, challenging cohort experience in a face-to-face environment and the ability to customize their program through a choice of concentrations and online classes so that it really works for their individual career direction,” Avery said.

The curriculum consists of 34 credits of coursework focused on mastering business fundamentals and strategy, covering topics such as communications, accounting, finance, global business strategy, supply chain, risk and statistics, and more. The in-person classes in the program allow students to complete a concentration in strategic leadership.

Students who wish to dive deeper into other specialty fields can now do so at a fraction of the cost. The new structure offers EMBA students the ability to earn a second online graduate certificate from Smeal for $5,000 or earn one of Smeal’s five available online master’s degrees — corporate innovation and entrepreneurship; strategic management and executive leadership; marketing analytics and insight; supply chain management; and taxation — via the concurrent degree option for $15,000.

While the curriculum has always generated opportunities for upward career mobility, these offerings now empower students to leverage Smeal’s integrated portfolio as they evolve as leaders and business professionals.

Students can further customize their EMBA experience by choosing to participate in the optional global immersion elective, a weeklong trip abroad to apply course concepts and global business skills students have learned throughout their curriculum. Previous destinations include Brazil, the Czech Republic, Peru, South Africa, China and Turkey.

The Executive MBA is targeted toward individuals with a desire to gain a competitive edge in their organization or industry, an interest in evolving their knowledge and skill sets, and an appreciation for flexibility.

The program will continue to kick off with a one-week residency at Penn State’s University Park campus in August before transitioning to the alternating weekend classes held at Union League Liberty Hill in Philadelphia. Like previously, students can attend up to 50% of each course remotely with the remaining half in person.

With an emphasis on lifelong learning and student success, the enhanced EMBA degree is a representation of Smeal’s beliefs that are reflected in the classroom and in the strength of collaboration evident in the EMBA’s cohort model, according to Avery.

These program changes are effective immediately, and the Class of 2024 will be the first to reap the benefits. The application deadline for the Class of 2024 is May 1, 2022, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis to fill the limited number of seats.

To learn more about the Penn State Smeal Executive MBA, visit the program's website.