Program FAQs
An Executive MBA is designed for mid to senior-level professionals who are looking for formal business training or looking to enhance their leadership skills. The teaching style is designed to leverage the collective experience of the cohort. In addition, support is provided to enable you to be an effective learner even if you have not been a student for many years.
The Haskayne Executive MBA has a strong reputation locally and internationally. Our alumni are ambassadors for the program and at least 40% of our student intake is from alumni or current student referrals.
By taking a managerial perspective the program provides a variety of lenses through which to consider business issues and decisions. As a result many students find they are able to both be more successful in their current role and broaden the scope of their responsibility in their next role.
Yes. The program offers a finance specialization path if you select all of the finance electives.
The typical composition of the class is as follows:
- 3.1 average GPA
- 575 average GMAT
- 14 years’ average work experience
- 30% female and 70% male
- 40% of the class has an international background or work experience
- 85% of the class have undergraduate degrees, with engineering and business majors being most common
- 50% of the class work in the energy sector and 20% in not-for-profit
- 35% of the class work in an operational function, 30% in general management, 15% in sales / marketing and 15% in accounting / finance / planning
In this program there is significant emphasis on the cohort experience. You will be with the same group of people for all of your classes except electives.
Over the two years, you will have the opportunity to get to know every individual in your cohort through class sessions and activities and by working in different study teams. The executive speaker series provides the opportunity for high quality interactions with senior leaders in the business community. The networking opportunities extend beyond the duration of the program as there is a very active EMBA alumni community.
Yes. The program is designed to allow you to continue working. At a minimum, you will need the support of your employer to be able to attend the block weeks and attend classes on alternate Friday / Saturday.
In addition to class sessions we recommend that you plan to study for at least 20 hours each week; some of this will be individual study and some will be with your study team.
Yes. We recognize that many of our students need to travel occasionally for work and therefore record all of Friday / Saturday class sessions. You will be expected to be in full attendance during the scheduled block weeks.
Admissions FAQs
No. There are a broad mix of educational disciplines represented in the program.
No. The program accepts applications from individuals who have no post-secondary qualifications.
If you achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher in a four-year accredited undergraduate degree, graduate degree or professional degree in the final two years of study you may be eligible for a GMAT waiver. Please send a copy of your transcripts to the admissions team to confirm.
We accept GMAT scores within 5 years of the test date.
Yes. Please contact the admissions team to confirm the required score on the GRE.
Ideally, we would prefer at least one of the references to come from an individual to whom you have directly reported. Both references should be well-placed to comment on your strengths, areas for development and leadership potential.
There is no need to submit more than two references; we will accept a third reference if you deem it necessary.
If you fulfill the minimum criteria for admission it is very likely that you will be successful in proceeding to the interview stage. At the interview stage, if you demonstrate that you have a clear and realistic rationale for completing the program and we feel that you would uniquely contribute to the cohort’s experience in some way you are likely to be accepted into the program.
The Executive MBA admits students on a rolling basis. Therefore please apply as early as possible to maximize your chances of being successful.
The application deadlines are as follows:
Fall Entry
- Deadline to apply (Domestic): June 1
- Deadline to apply (International): February 1
If the only outstanding items are supporting documents (e.g., missing original transcripts but have copies) the admissions committee may choose to review your application file. However, if you are successful, your admission to the program will be conditional upon receiving all of the required documentation.
Contact our admissions team for more information on English proficiency requirements.
Please note that TOEFL/IELTS scores are valid for two years from date of completion.
Financing FAQs
Your tuition includes the following:
- Instruction and course materials (e.g., text books, cases, course-related software)
- Hotel accommodation during the first block week
- Meals and parking on main campus during scheduled classes in semester
- International study tour
- Executive coach services
- Leadership development workshops (optional)
- Dedicated technical support, MBA librarian and MBA careers advisors
If you do not have a laptop computer you will need to purchase one. You will also need to budget for incidental expenses on the international study tour.
The government views this program as full-time for student loan and tax purposes. The program can provide a letter in support of your loan application if required. You will receive a tuition tax receipt (T222A) each year from the University.
On average students achieve a 36% increase in salary.
The Executive MBA includes additional benefits not included in the daytime / evening MBA. Your tuition includes the following:
- Instruction and course materials (e.g., text books, cases, course-related software)
- Hotel accommodation during the first block week in Banff
- Meals and parking on main campus during scheduled classes in semester
- International study tour
- Executive coach services
- Leadership development workshops (optional)
- Dedicated technical support, EMBA librarian and EMBA careers advisors
No, the Executive MBA is not eligible for University of Calgary tuition support.
International applicants FAQs
Yes. Please refer to the University of Calgary’s International Student Services for more information.
If English is not your first language you may be asked to write the TOEFL/IELTS. If you have previously studied at a post-secondary level in English or have worked for significant periods in an English speaking country, please contact our admissions team to confirm this requirement.
We accept TOEFL / IELTS scores within 2 years of the test date.
No. This program has the same tuition for domestic and international students.
Please refer to the University of Calgary’s International Student Services for more information.
Other FAQs
No. The Executive MBA program is designed for mid to senior-career professionals and requires a minimum of 7 years’ progressive professional experience for admission.
No. Given the emphasis on cohort-based learning we do not offer any course waivers or releases in this program.
In rare instances we may accept transfers in from students from our Evening MBA programs. These are considered on an individual basis and are dependent on capacity.