FAQs

An Executive MBA is designed for mid- to senior-level professionals seeking formal business training and stronger 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.

No. The Executive MBA does not offer specialization paths.

The typical composition of the class is as follows:

• Work experience: average 16 years
• Managerial experience: average nine years
• Seniority: 39% are managers/senior managers, 30% professionals/specialists, 13% VP/SVP, 9% C-Suite and 9% Directors.
• 22% female and 78% male
• Industry: 22% work in energy, 22% in real estate/development and 13% each in consulting and financial services, with the remainder representing a range of industries.
• Job function: 17% work in consulting, 13% each in engineering and operations/logistics and 9% each in general management, HR, IT and marketing/sales, with the remainder in other functions.

_{*Based on 2025 Executive MBA cohort}

Yes. We recognize that many of our students need to travel occasionally for work and therefore record select weekend class sessions. You will be expected to be in full attendance during the scheduled block weeks.

No. The Executive MBA program is designed for mid- to senior-career professionals and requires a minimum of seven years’ progressive professional experience for admission.

No. Given the emphasis on cohort-based learning we do not offer any course exemptions or advanced credit in this program.

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. The Haskayne Executive MBA 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 weekend classes.

There is a significant emphasis on the cohort experience within the Haskayne Executive MBA. You will be with the same cohort for all of your classes.

Over the 16 months, 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. You will have executive access through high-quality interactions with senior leaders in the business community, while the industry-led live cases developed collaboratively between senior executives and course instructor(s) are designed to engage students in authentic organizational challenges. The networking opportunities also extend beyond the duration of the program as there is a very active EMBA alumni community.

No. An undergraduate degree is not required to apply. We welcome applicants from a wide range of educational backgrounds, including those without an undergraduate degree.

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 our team to confirm.

We accept GMAT scores within five years of the test date.

Yes. Please contact our 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 an appropriate 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:

Winter entry:

• Deadline to apply (International): TBD
• Deadline to apply (Domestic): Nov. 1

For international applicants:
Admission to Haskayne is selective. Due to the complexity of the evaluation process, international applicants are encouraged to apply early in order to have sufficient time for the transcripts and the supporting documents to arrive in our office. Also, if admitted, international students will require enough time to complete their study permits and travel arrangements.

Applications will not be evaluated until such time as all unofficial transcripts and other necessary supporting documents are received. Official transcripts are only required if applicants are offered admission.

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 team to confirm this requirement.

We accept TOEFL/IELTS scores within two years of the test date.

The Haskayne Executive MBA includes additional benefits not included in the Full-time/Flexible MBA. Your tuition includes the following:

• Instruction and course materials (e.g., textbooks, cases, course-related software)
• Meals and parking on main campus during scheduled classes in semester
• Executive coach services
• Leadership development workshops (optional)
• Dedicated technical support, librarian and careers advisors

If you plan to be on campus on days when you do not have classes, please note that you will be responsible for your own parking and meal expenses.

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 34% increase in salary*.

*Based on 2025 EMBA Cohort Post Graduation Survey 

No, the Executive MBA is not eligible for University of Calgary tuition support.

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. Please refer to the University of Calgary’s International Student Services for more information.

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.