Are you looking to get into the UCLA Executive MBA program?

If so, then you might be wondering if your academic background will be a hindrance. The good news is that there is no GPA requirement for admission to this program. However, the Executive MBA is a competitive program and applicants must demonstrate their ability to succeed in an intensive two year program while working full-time. Therefore, test results become an important way of demonstrating your academic skills. You also might address this point in the optional essay.

You may need to have more work experience to be considered for an executive MBA program, but it’s actually easier to get into an EMBA program than an MBA program (for the most part).

UCLA Anderson Class of 2021

Class profile
Internationals (%)	33
Women (%)	34
Ethnic Minorities (%)	29
Average GMAT	719
GPA range	3.2 – 3.

The UCLA Executive MBA program at Anderson School of Management is a 22-month program with classes held every other weekend (Friday, Saturday, and the first Sunday of every quarter) on campus. There are three residentials during the program: an opening residential in September, a one-week elective blocks in August, and a field study residential in January of the second year. An international elective is also required.

Curriculum

The UCLA Executive MBA program is built around a strong foundation in leadership development and emotional intelligence.

The UCLA Executive MBA consists of 12 units of electives which can be taken in a hybrid structure (half online and half on campus) or as an Elective Block during the summer. The leadership development portfolio of activities in the UCLA Executive MBA program is designed to develop emotionally intelligent leaders and focuses on key emotional intelligence competencies. Leadership Foundations is a required course that examines leadership development from individual, team and organizational perspectives. In the first year, Leadership Foundations starts with the Opening Residential and continues into the fall quarter and concludes at the end of the first year. Second year Leadership Foundations continues in the winter quarter and ends just prior to the International Residential.

The following are some of our favorite electives that have been offered over time:

The Elective Block is a unique component of the EMBA program. It consists of five to six elective courses offered in five consecutive days August. Each course offered in the elective block is two units. Students have the option of taking one to two courses during the elective block.

The SMR Program matches companies and organizations around the world with five to six Executive MBA students in their final year of study. The EMBA team represents a cross-section of business functions and specialties, such as marketing, finance, technology, and operations.

Executive MBA Rankings

• U.S. News & World Report: 8
• Financial Times: 48
• The Economist: 21

UCLA Executive MBA Acceptance Rate

UCLA Anderson’s enrolled 360 students for the MBA class of 2021 from around 2,800 applications. It has a 12.7% acceptance rate and an average class GMAT score of 719.

About 34 percent of the most recent UCLA Anderson Executive MBA class is made up of female students, with 66 percent male students. These students come from more than 30 countries around the world.

Students in the program have an average of 14 years of professional work experience and nine years of management experience. About 30 percent hold advanced degrees and 12 percent come from military backgrounds.

UCLA Executive MBA Cost

The tuition fee is US$125,000 (approximate) as the total tuition fees are paid to both UCLA and NUS accordingly.

The above fee includes the cost of recommended text books and readings as well as most meals for each residential segment. The cost of travel, accommodation and miscellaneous expenses are not included and are to be borne by the participant.

Fee Breakdown	Payable to NUS (SGD)	Payable to UCLA (USD)
Acceptance Fee	S$14,750	–
Remaining Balance across segments	S$72,750	US$62,500
Total Fees Payable*	S$87,500	US$62,500

Thinking about applying to a top executive MBA program? Below you’ll find EMBA pros and cons to help you decide if, when, and why an EMBA program is for you.

Pros:

1. It’s easier to get in. You may need to have more work experience to be considered for an executive MBA program, but it’s actually easier to get into an EMBA program than an MBA program (for the most part). For example, in 2014, UCLA Anderson’s full time MBA program had an acceptance rate of 17.8%; its EMBA program accepted 56.4% of applicants.

2. There’s less focus on the GMAT. Many top EMBA programs don’t require applicants to take the GMAT. And those that do, frequently will still consider candidates even if their GMAT scores are not on par with those at top MBA programs.

3. You can keep working. Almost all executive MBA programs are part-time, which means you can keep your job and still squeeze in those weekend or evening classes.

4. You won’t need to relocate. Obviously this depends on the program, but many EMBA programs have classes only on the weekends, which means (if you can afford it), you can live at home during the week and commute to class for the weekends and not uproot and relocate your family.  

5. Your peers are more experienced. EMBA students are older and wiser, with more work experience under their belts. If you are in your thirties (or older) and have 10+ years of work experience, then you would probably benefit more from being surrounded by peers with similar timelines than by being in a class of 25-year-olds who are newer to the workforce.

Cons:

1. Commuting isn’t fun. Being able to stay put, keep your job, and not uproot your family are certainly perks of pursuing an EMBA, but commuting for two years, whether during the evenings or on the weekends, can be exhausting, as well as expensive.

2. You will be BUSY. Working full-time and studying part-time won’t leave much time for anything else. Throw a commute in the mix and you’ll really be swamped. And that’s before we even get to family obligations. Say goodbye to the next season of Game of Thrones.

3. There aren’t as many executive programs. MBA programs are a dime a dozen. EMBA programs are not as abundant. And you need to find one that will support your goals, location, and schedule.

4. Recruiters aren’t always fans. It may not sound fair because you DO have more work experience, but often recruiters view the EMBA degree as an “MBA-lite.” They prefer younger job prospects who have completed the more-rigorous, more-full-time, and more-all-consuming business degree.