GAINING EMPLOYER SUPPORT FOR YOUR EXECUTIVE MBA
Table of Contents
Employer Support: A Key to Your Success
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First Step: Do Your Research
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Preparing Your Case
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Benefits to Your Employer
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Benefits to Your Professional Development
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Executive MBA Program Highlights
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Executive MBA Program Logistics, Tuition, and Curriculum
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Outline the Support You Need
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Communicate Your Commitment to Your Employer
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Continue to Involve Your Employer in Your MBA
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Next Steps
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Employer Support: A Key to Your Success All University of Utah Executive MBA students must receive support from their employers for time away from the office to participate in the program. In addition, some Executive MBA students also receive financial support. Working with your employer to obtain their support and sponsorship is a crucial part of your preparation process. Beginning the process early is critical. A thorough understanding between you and your company of the expected benefits and time commitments involved will ensure a smooth MBA experience from start to finish. Although financial support for Executive MBA’s has declined in recent years, there is still reason to believe that you can successfully secure some financial sponsorship from your company. Constructing an organized, savvy business case outlining the benefits of an Executive MBA program will help you to secure both time and financial support. In this guide, you will find ways to illustrate the benefits of an MBA, how your participation can positively affect your organization, why you have chosen the University of Utah, and how an MBA connects to your personal career goals. We have also included some experiences and advice from University of Utah Executive MBA students and alumni.
“The University of Utah Executive MBA delivers tangible value to my employer by teaching and reinforcing tested principles from the world’s largest and best companies in a challenging, rigorous format.” Shaun Hoggan University of Utah Executive MBA Graduate 1
First: Do Your Research First, do all of the necessary research into how the University of Utah’s Executive MBA program works. Make sure you have a solid understanding of program length, schedule, tuition costs, tuition payment schedules, and expected program commitments. Our admissions advisors are available to meet with you at a time and place convenient for you to get any of your questions answered. Next, find out if your employer has a formal sponsorship policy in place for senior-level employees. Interview others who have completed similar programs, either in your organization or from others in the same sector. Ask them what they gained from experience and how they gained funding and/or other support. You may contact the University of Utah’s Executive MBA office to find somebody from your company or sector who has completed the program and may be able to advise you. It is essential to have this information at your fingertips to adapt your negotiation position and set the right objectives. Establish who will be making the decision to provide support for your program participation. It may be a human resources executive, your direct supervisor, or even the chief executive; therefore, you’ll need to tailor your specific talking points appropriately.
“The advantages of learning in a tight-knit cohort, being instructed by the foremost experts, and interacting with other executive level professionals are incredible. I cannot stress how much knowledge you can absorb when the entire classroom is operating at such a high level.”
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Adam D’Sousa University of Utah Executive MBA Graduate
Finally, determine what level of support you need, whether it’s time to attend class, realignment of duties and responsibilities, financial backing, or more. Depending on your particular situation and your organization, you will need to customize your employer sponsorship goals. As a baseline, all University of Utah Executive MBA participants must obtain a letter of support that allows attendance in class and on trips.
Preparing Your Case We recommend that you prepare a written business proposal for your employer. Introduce your business case for the MBA by clearly stating your rationale for pursuing the Executive MBA at the University of Utah, and include the following details: •
Benefits to Your Employer
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Benefits to Your Professional Development
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Executive MBA Program Highlights
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Executive MBA Program Logistics
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Outline the Support You Need
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Communicate Your Commitment to Your Employer
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Benefits to Your Employer It’s important that this section focuses on your employer. You can bring some specificity to this space by outlining the demands of your current position and your goals for the future. Then, illustrate how studying for an MBA will help you accomplish those goals and reach benchmarks for your company. This could also be an opportunity to mention the specific contributions other employees who have earned their MBA while working for your organization have made. Here are some of the ways earning an MBA can create value for your employer: Solve business issues in the classroom Throughout the Executive MBA program, students bring their organization’s problems, business issues, and opportunities for growth into the classroom for discussion and to gain input from faculty and students. Students become more valuable to their organizations from day one because they bring immediately applicable business concepts and best practices back into the office. Make an impact on the work of your team Executive MBA students cultivate a distinct and deeply personal leadership style. They learn how to get the most out of those who work with them. Students gain access to individual coaching, 360-degree feedback, experimental teamwork training, and more, all designed to improve their leadership and teamwork capabilities. Become a better employee through your learning Many enter the Executive MBA program from senior positions in their company, yet still have gaps in their skills and knowledge levels.
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Students receive intensive training in strategic thinking, critical analysis, and ‘big picture’ understanding in the program. These skills increase productivity, enhance decision-making abilities and improve your company’s bottom line. Access an invaluable network Executive MBA students gain access to a network of seasoned, high-level professionals from various industries and functions. Executive MBA students and alumni can become business contacts, sources for advice, and future clients. Partner with School of Business faculty David Eccles School of Business faculty are some of the most acclaimed business thinkers in the world. During the program, you will learn about cutting-edge business research, giving your company the chance to prepare for future challenges – ahead of the competition. Gain insights into the global business environment The University of Utah will give you new problem-solving perspectives with international insights and the multicultural outlook you need to excel in today’s globalized business environment. Your business knowledge transfers to your company As you come back to the office after each week of class, you will inevitably pass the knowledge and skills you are gaining from the program onto others in your organization. As you interact with others and explain new perspectives and newly acquired business models, they too will be learning.
“The EMBA program has significantly impacted how I tackle issues in the workplace. I am now more balanced in my approach to leadership; I have a broader understanding of business that has helped me drive even better results for my company.” Jill McAcree University of Utah Executive MBA Graduate
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Benefits to Your Professional Development Outline your own development goals through the pursuit of an MBA. Begin by offering a clear statement on your objectives and how they correspond to your career plans. Below is an example of how this could read: My main objective in studying for an MBA is to further develop my leadership skills and prepare to be a senior executive who drives change and innovation in this company. I have followed an accelerated trajectory since joining this company in 2006. This has resulted from consistent high-performance evaluations and shows that I am recognized as a leader with potential both internally and externally. Currently, I’m at a point in my career where I can see my next steps and the tools I need to get there. Earning an MBA aligns with my development plan and overall career goals. I believe that I have the potential to succeed in a senior leadership position in the company; and the skills I will learn and practice during an MBA will be critical to developing that potential. In addition, the pursuit of an MBA echoes our company’s commitment towards career growth and employee development.
“Since beginning the Executive MBA program, I have been far more productive and better with time management. I can infuse many of the teachings from the program directly into my everyday work.“
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Gavin Van Wagoner University of Utah Executive MBA Graduate
This statement is the opportunity for you to make your case more personal by adding details about your passions or strengths you want to explore through the pursuit of an MBA. You can also show your aptitude for this type of work by including examples of continuing education or Executive Education courses you’ve taken to establish a record of interest and academic performance. Or you could point out that studying business fundamentals in a highly competitive environment would push you further and give you more of what is needed versus hiring a career coach. Finally, this is also a time to be humble. Show your self-awareness by addressing gaps you know exist and show an MBA will enable you to improve on them. For example, you could mention a weakness in presentation skills and point out that this shortcoming could be addressed through collaborative classwork, a culture of debate, and training. Earning your MBA will not just benefit your career; it will also benefit your organization’s growth and culture. Demonstrate to your employer how investing in your growth will help you meet your team and organization’s goals. Identify to your employer what skills you hope to gain or problems you want to solve through obtaining an MBA.
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Executive MBA Program Highlights This section should demonstrate why you chose the University of Utah Executive MBA program. First, outline your considerations — what components did you feel were essential for your MBA experience? From there, identify which schools you looked at and how you evaluated them. Utilize program websites, media articles, and relevant industry data. If you contacted business school alumni in your network, provide synopses of those conversations, particularly those conducted with employees at your company. If you attended information sessions or met with admissions directors, you may also wish to include your impressions. Next, clearly define the program differentiators and explain why they are meaningful to you and your company. Here are some of the key differentiators you may choose to highlight to your employer: •
The University of Utah David Eccles School of Business Executive MBA is ranked #1 in Utah, top 3 in the West, and top 20 in the U.S. by the Financial Times, which ranks 300+ Executive MBA programs worldwide.
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The program is 21 months long, meeting Fridays and Saturdays all day every other week. This schedule allows students to continue
“I know that if I ever have a question about virtually any industry or functional area, it will be easy to find a colleague in my Utah Executive MBA alumni network who will be happy to help.” Andrew Pace University of Utah Executive MBA Graduate 8
working and apply learning to current business issues and challenges in the workplace. •
One off-site intensive week and two global immersions provide students with an in-depth learning experience and international perspective.
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Students have an average 13-16 years of professional work experience. This means program participants interact and study with other seasoned business professionals who are seniorlevel individuals in a variety of fields, such as finance, healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing.
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Executive MBA staff streamline all administrative concerns. Course registration, textbooks and class materials, parking permits, and meals on class days are all included in program tuition so that the entirety of the student’s focus is on the learning done in the program.
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Admission to the program is competitive and based on several factors. A GMAT/GRE substitution is available.
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Executive MBA graduates earn exactly the same degree as our fulltime MBA students.
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Executive MBA Program Logistics and Tuition The University of Utah Executive MBA program schedule is predictable, and all class days and other sessions are planned out before the program begins. This allows students to plan work, travel, and personal commitments far in advance. University of Utah Executive MBA students commit to the following: •
Program begins August, and includes five semesters of coursework spanning 21 months total.
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Classes are held on Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on-campus every two weeks.
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There is a one-week intensive session before the beginning of the program’s first year.
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There are two global immersion courses which include a 3-5 day international trip somewhere in North America before the beginning of the program’s second year and a 7-10 worldwide international trip at the end of the program.
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Students average 15 to 20 hours a week outside of class on some combination of team and individual projects. Our staff is committed to streamlining all outside administrative concerns.
University of Utah Executive MBA tuition is estimated between $93,000 to $96,000 for the Class of 2026 (beginning August 2024). Contact the program office for details. Payments are made in five equal installments due at the beginning of each semester. A $2,500 non-refundable deposit is required upon acceptance to the program and is applied toward the first-semester tuition payment. “My favorite class was Strategy. Not only did I learn state-of-the-art tools for analyzing and assessing markets, but I also learned the importance of aligning the human and cultural elements of an organization to execute strategic initiatives successfully.”
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Siri Osthed University of Utah Executive MBA Graduate
Curriculum* Accounting
Leadership/Management
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Financial Accounting
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Team Effectiveness
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Managerial Accounting
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Leadership & Management in High Performance
Economics/Statistics •
Organization Economics
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Statistics
Organizations •
Effectiveness •
Ethics •
Ethics & Foundations of
Communication & Interpersonal Negotiations & Conflict Management
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Business Thought
Advanced Leadership: Problem Solving in Business Organizations
Finance •
Corporate Finance
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Advanced Finance
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Competitive Advantage Through Human Resources
Marketing Global Topics •
International Field Study
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International Finance
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Managing in the Global Economy
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Marketing Management
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Advanced Marketing Strategies
Operations •
Operations Management
Strategy *Subject to change
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Business Strategy
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Corporate Strategy
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Outline the Support You Need Time and commitment Your direct supervisor must submit a letter of recommendation and nomination form for your University of Utah Executive MBA application. They must acknowledge the program’s time/schedule requirements and indicate their willingness to support the applicant in meeting these expectations. Offer your employer a full and realistic picture of the time investment, as detailed in the last section. The timetable for the program is intense, and you will have very little time for calls and emails while you are in class or at an intensive week session. Time to participate in the program may come in a variety of forms: •
Reduced hours
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Time made up on off weekends and evenings
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Paid leave
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Unpaid leave
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Vacation/holiday time “borrowed” in advance
Realignment of duties and responsibilities Some assignments and work duties may not align with your program participation and schedule constraints—detail how you will manage and delegate responsibilities while attending classes. Make sure to address any concerns your employer has about this by describing the team you have in place and how you will utilize them.
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Financial sponsorship Financing your University of Utah Executive MBA will take careful thought and consideration. It is important to consider all your financing options, whether through savings, loans, scholarships, military funding, sponsorship from your employer, or – most likely – a combination of sources. It is entirely at your employer’s discretion whether or not to provide financial support for your MBA. At the University of Utah, we estimate that around 60% of our Executive MBA participants receive some financial support from their employer, while the remaining 40% are entirely self-funded. Keep in mind that any financial sponsorship your company offers will be directly linked to the benefits your company believes it will gain from your participation in the Executive MBA program. You might be asked to sign a retention agreement, which will oblige you to stay for a pre-determined amount of time at the company in return for sponsorship. Outside of traditional tuition sponsorship, employers may be amenable to a form of “retrospective” sponsorship, whereby the company pays a percentage of the total tuition when you deliver on certain pre-arranged conditions. For example, if your workload and deadlines are not compromised after your attendance during the program’s first semester, your employer may reimburse you a pre-agreed amount. Alternatively, some employers may opt to pay tuition and fees in lieu of salary or structure the sponsorship as salary bonuses. Others may also consider sponsoring travel expenses and accommodations that allow you to participate in the program. Be creative in your approach, and you may find more success in the discussion process. “After I began my EMBA, I moved into a new position that oversaw the largest service area for our organization. With that came a sizeable raise and new levels of responsibility and oversight. I have now positioned myself for continued growth within my organization.” Angela Wright University of Utah Executive MBA Graduate
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Communicate Your Commitment to Your Employer End by describing what your employer’s support means to you. You will want to demonstrate your commitment to the company and the future trajectory you see for yourself there. In discussions with your supervisors, leadership team, and human resources department, you should carefully consider and communicate the long-term benefits you can offer the company in return for their investment in you. It’s important to reiterate how seriously you take the opportunity to earn an MBA at the University of Utah. The University of Utah’s Executive MBA is known for its rigorous curriculum and high academic standards, and your desire to attend speaks volumes about your dedication to learning and improvement. Your passion for being challenged and your commitment to hard work will be evident as you succeed in your MBA program.
“I now head a business line that is a sizable contributor to my company’s overall revenue structure. I would not have been chosen to lead the unit if I had not gone through the University of Utah’s Executive MBA program.” Chaitali Patel University of Utah Executive MBA Graduate 14
Continue to Involve Your Employer in Your MBA It’s not uncommon for students to receive permission to attend the University of Utah’s Executive MBA with support for the time commitment, and continue to have negotiation discussions after the program begins. Sometimes the more valuable discussions with your employer can occur after you’re well into your program. To help your company maximize the ROI of its sponsorship, the University of Utah encourages you to have regular meetings with your supervisor to discuss takeaways from the program. Consider discussing: •
How topics studied in the classroom address current challenges and opportunities faced by your organization
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Whether your organization has immediate issues that would benefit from the perspective of faculty experts and fellow students
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How to test or apply tools or frameworks learned in the program
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What opportunities exist to educate and workshop with colleagues
We invite you to act as a resource for your organization, as well as a contact for other colleagues who may be interested in earning an MBA.
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Next Steps Contact Our Office The University of Utah’s Executive MBA office is here to help you. Please contact us at 801-581-5577 or EMBA@Utah.edu at any point during your inquiry, admissions, and matriculation process. We also invite you to provide our contact details to your organization, as they are welcome to reach out to us directly with their questions during the decision-making process. Attend Admissions Events If you haven’t already attended the University of Utah’s Executive MBA admissions events, we encourage you to do so. Our monthly Information Sessions, Career Impact and ROI Sessions, Class Day Visits, and more can prove invaluable as you make your decision to go back to school. See all upcoming events at EMBA.Eccles.Utah.edu. Alternatively, we are happy to meet you at a time and place convenient for you to provide a face-to-face, personalized advisor meeting that will address your specific questions and circumstances. Please reach out to our office at 801-581-5577 or EMBA@Utah.edu with your availability to schedule a meeting.
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Submit Your Online Application Applications for the University of Utah’s Executive MBA are accepted year round for our August program start. If you would like to receive priority consideration, we encourage you to apply as early as possible. Applications received after the class is full will be considered for the wait-list or for the following academic year. The online application can be found at ApplyUtahMBA.com. Application requirements include accredited undergraduate college transcripts, essay, resume, and recommendation letter and nomination form from your current employer. Following your application submission, our office will contact you to set up an admissions interview. Following the interview, your application will be reviewed by our admissions committee, and an admissions decisions will be given to you within two weeks. Don’t wait - Make this the year you invest in yourself and take your next step.
“Utah’s Executive MBA program has given me an improved perspective on my own work and career. It has opened my eyes to the world and given me the awareness, knowledge and skills to be successful and to be a better person both in business and in life.” Amelia Clawson University of Utah Executive MBA Graduate
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THE University of Utah David Eccles School of Business Executive MBA Program 1731 E. Campus Center Drive, Suite 4400 Robert H. and Katharine B. Garff Building Salt Lake City, UT 84112 801-581-5577 | EMBA@Utah.edu | EMBA.Eccles.Utah.edu
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