Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the Krannert School of Management at Purdue and both EMBA programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

The Purdue EMBA Program is 19 months long and requires 48 credit hours to complete.

EMBA students are awarded an MBA from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University. This program is also an accredited program by AACSB International.

The program begins with an online, four-day orientation. This is a chance to interact with your peers in the program, start on coursework, engage in team-building, and receive your eBooks. Then the first of six modules begins as you return home. The faculty for each course provide a syllabus detailing all homework assignments for the module. Students complete these individual and team homework assignments per their own schedules—typically evenings and weekends—and submit electronically. This is expected to take about 20 hours per week, but students choose the time and still manage to complete work assignments for their company, and have time for their families. Most of the assignments are team-based and completed by diverse student teams using various online technologies. For some classes, there are also team-based and class-based online discussions. After the online portion, students meet on-campus for the residency. During the residency, students engage in interactive classes, company visits, and social events including cultural immersion (during international residencies). After each residency, the students have a week to prepare for online final examinations. After exams, there is typically a one week break and a new module begins with new study teams.

Steven Jones shares his experience with the IMM Global Executive MBA residency program:

Vish Thottingal describes his experience in the Executive MBA program, coming to Purdue for residencies:

The Krannert program builds upon Purdue’s world-class excellence. The key feature of the program is the residency approach. This means that for each module, students work on homework assignments, group projects, and online discussions for about 10 weeks and then come to campus for a one or two-week residency. During the residency, the faculty applies the assignments the students have done during self-study and help apply it to their companies. This is in contrast to most executive MBA programs where students come to campus every weekend or every few weeks. Our approach allows people to come from anywhere in the world (which they do) and not have to drop from the program if they switch jobs or are relocated to a new city. The concentrated residencies allow the students to focus on the classroom, so the learning is heightened and the lessons can be applied immediately in their companies after the residencies. There is a keen emphasis on team and the sharing of expertise, so students learn not only from the faculty, but also from their peers. The residencies facilitate the formation of networking and friendship bonds among students that last a lifetime. The Executive MBA program electives also break from the traditional approach found at most schools in which students take the same courses with their cohort, with the same offerings repeated annually. In contrast, our students can choose functional electives specific to their cohort as well as immersion electives tailored to their particular interests.

The Purdue Executive MBA program concentrates class time into quarterly residencies scheduled over a 19-month period — 6 residencies of 1-2 weeks. This unique format offers fewer distractions and less travel, thereby minimizing interference with our students' ongoing job-related travel demands and better knowledge retention than alternating weekend or evening programs. It also allows participants to come from around the world, resulting in a more diverse cohort and richer learning experience.

Our curriculum is organized into modules that provide a unique blend of in-class and online learning. Modules consist of a preparation period with team and cohort interaction, a 1-2 week on-campus or international residency, and an online exam period.

Yes. The EMBA program requires one international residency at the end of the program.

The curriculum covers the principles of business and management for current and future high-level managers. Core classes include focused topics like accounting, finance, operations, marketing, economics, and analytics. They also include more integrative topics like strategy, leadership, risk management, and law & ethics. Further, as a cohort, you will choose three functional electives, from a list, that are of greatest interest to the cohort. Recent selections include mergers & acquisitions (M&A) and negotiations. You will also select three immersion electives. These are electives that you take with a sub-set of the cohort. This workshop-style elective lets you go deeper into topics of personal interest such as crisis management, finance, game theory, managing teams, presentation skills, and more. Finally, you will complete a consulting assignment where you scope a project and then create solutions based on your own knowledge and insights gained from the program.

The first five residencies are at the Krannert School of Management Executive Education building at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. The last residency is at an international location, or locations, chosen by the cohort in consultation with executive education staff. Students have individual hotel rooms during residencies. At Purdue, students stay at a well-appointed hotel in close proximity to the Krannert School of Management.

Take a virtual tour of Krannert Center:

At the beginning of each module, the faculty provides a syllabus with all homework assignments for the module. Students complete these homework assignments per their own schedules — typically evenings and weekends — and send them to the faculty electronically. This study time takes about 15-25 hours per week (depending on the module), but students choose the time and still manage to complete work for their company, as well as have time for family. For some classes, there are also team and class-based online assignments and discussions.

Yes, students choose 6 electives out of 12 to 15 options.

Purdue's EMBA Program provides a general management MBA. As such, while we don't offer majors, we do offer a number of electives for a more personalized EMBA experience. Students will take both functional electives, two-credit courses that vary depending on the interests and needs of the cohort, and immersion electives which are one-credit courses taught in smaller groups, workshop-style. A list of electives currently offered can be found here:

• Functional Electives
• Immersion Electives

Courses are taught by world-renowned Purdue faculty. We also work with faculty at other universities as needed for special topics.

Yes, students do interact with the faculty during and after modules are completed. Our EMBA programs do not use teaching assistants.

When not in residency, the work typically requires 20 hours per week to complete. This will likely be higher at the start of the program.

You will be assigned to work in a team of 5-6 classmates. The teams will be changed each module to ensure that you have an opportunity to meet and work with a wide range of your colleagues. The groups are arranged by the program and are balanced by geographic region, industry background, and functional skills to allow for the development of innovative solutions to challenging problems. Some of the assignments are done individually and some are done in groups. The professor’s syllabus will always provide details on these points.

Recent incoming classes have had between 25 and 30 students. The work experience ranges from five years (the minimum required for admission) to nearly 30 years, with an average of 15 years. They are all hardworking individuals, like you, who believe an EMBA will provide them with more opportunities. Many have families and are also balancing work-home-school demands.

Generally yes, a laptop is required given the amount of work done on-campus. Ebooks are included in the program cost and the majority of interactions and assignments will be completed online.

For the start of the program, course materials and ebooks are provided during launch week. For subsequent modules, the course materials and books will be made available to you the week prior to courses starting.

The program is taught in English. Knowing additional languages may be useful during international residencies.

There is typically a one week break in between modules; however, there can be up to two weeks of downtime, depending on the academic calendar. Observation of national holidays are considered when the course schedule is made.

The Purdue EMBA career management support encompasses three parts provided by Right Management – the career and talent development division within ManpowerGroup. They bring their significant experience in this field to support our programs. Students receive a Career Assessment review to help define their skills and interests. The second part is a deeper dive into Self-Discovery and Career Development Planning. Activities include strengths analysis, personal brand development, social media optimization, and career progression skill development (e.g., interviewing, resume development, communicating personal value). Finally, Career Skill Building considers career milestones, action steps, and the partner organization’s career expo. During all steps, students work with a Career Management Consultant to guide them through the process, to coach them, and in total help the student leverage their work experience and Purdue EMBA for the next stages of their career.

Between the start of the program and two years after graduation, almost all of our students experience a career shift. The executive coaching helps you guide your path toward your desired FIG: Function, Industry, Geography. Through a series of one-on-one confidential sessions and self-assessments, the executive career coach will help you evaluate where you are and create a road map to your desired end goal. Having an external, objective resource will encourage you to ask the right questions and get you to the new opportunities you seek.

Yes, the Krannert Alumni Network is one of the strongest in the world with 50,000 alumni and the larger Purdue University alumni base is more than 600,000 strong.

To be admitted to the program, the applicant must have:

1. A bachelor’s degree and transcripts
2. Five years post-baccalaureate work experience
3. A completed application
4. Two recommendations.

GMAT and TOEFL are generally not required.

Transcripts should be mailed in a signed, sealed envelope from the issuing institution to:

We will also accept electronic transcripts if your university has electronic submission capabilities. These can be sent via email to GRADADM@purdue.edu.

We look for professionals who have a minimum of 5 years of work experience prior to entering the program. In determining fit, we examine the quality and length of your experience; any management and leadership experience you may have; and your record of prior achievement and professional training.

No, corporate sponsorship is not required for entry to either Purdue EMBA Program but you should make sure your company is supportive of your plans.

While current employment is not a requirement for admission to Purdue's EMBA Program, all applicants are expected to have a minimum of 5 years of work experience with preference given to those possessing strong leadership qualities. Employment during the program will increase your learning as you can be applying ideas immediately at your workplace.

We accept applications throughout the year and students are admitted on a rolling basis. Please find application deadlines on the admissions page.

Yes, there is an application fee which can be paid by credit card. The fee is $60 for U.S. applicants or $75 for international applicants. The application fee may be waived for Purdue alumni, nonprofit employees, veterans and active duty personnel, EMBA experience attendees, and those who meet the early application deadline for an application fee waiver. This deadline can be found on our admissions page. Contact us at krannertexec@purdue.edu with questions about the application fee.

We use a rolling admissions decision process. After you submit your application, our Associate Director of Admissions will review the documents to assure all pieces have been received. Then the applicant is contacted for an in-person or virtual interview. The interview takes about 90 minutes and two members from the admissions committee participate. After the interview, the admissions committee meets to review the materials and make a decision. If it is a positive decision, the materials are provided to the Purdue graduate school for final review. It generally takes two weeks from application submission until a decision is made.

We suggest that recommendation letters be written by employers who are able to render an opinion on the basis of close, current, and sustained observation. At least one should be from your direct supervisor. We strongly discourage recommendations from friends, family, acquaintances, or others who are unable to evaluate professional or academic qualifications.

The Purdue Executive MBA Program does not require GMAT or Executive Assessment scores for most applicants. However, you must demonstrate sufficient academic/quantitative preparedness in your application, either through prior coursework, professional experience, and/or certifications as reflected in your transcripts and/or resume. For all admitted students, we offer an Excel and math skills course to either brush up on previous skills or to fill in skills gaps in these areas.

A TOEFL test is not required for the Purdue EMBA program.

There are no prerequisites for the EMBA Programs. However, you are expected to have some working knowledge of data tools such as Microsoft Excel and sufficient quantitative skills.

Yes, qualified applicants will be invited for an interview after their application has been received by the EMBA admissions committee. Candidates will have an option of coming to Purdue's West Lafayette campus or joining us by Zoom. Purdue offers these choices to accommodate the busy lives of working professionals. The interview typically takes 90 minutes.

We offer multiple opportunities for you to learn more about our programs. This includes monthly informational webinars, chances to attend a class in-person or virtually, and the ability to schedule a meeting with a member of our team in a city near you. 

We always welcome visitors to the classroom, since seeing the program in action is the best way to learn about the program. Our EMBA Experience days, held throughout the academic school year, include a presentation about our programs, a class visit, lunch with current students, and a complimentary overnight hotel stay. Call Krannert Executive Education Programs at 765-494-1554 for information about EMBA Experience.

Admission decisions can be deferred for one year.

It is generally required to have an undergraduate degree. Under particular circumstances, that requirement can be waived. We recommend that you reach out to the Admissions Committee at krannertexec@purdue.edu so that they can assess potential fit in the program.

Yes, scholarships are available. To be considered for a scholarship, complete the scholarship essay found in the online application. Scholarship decisions are made based on a complete review of application materials as well as the interview. As the scholarships are provided on a rolling basis, it is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible. Questions regarding scholarships should be directed to the executive director, Aldas Kriauciunas, at akriauci@purdue.edu or 765-496-1860.

Many previous students have used their VA benefits to cover the cost of the program. For additional information, contact the Division of Financial Aid.

Tuition is split up into five equal payments with each installment being due at the beginning of billing cycle. These cycles generally correspond to the modules in the program.

Yes, if your employer is paying the tuition, a direct billing process can be arranged.

At Krannert, we understand that requesting sponsorship can be a challenging conversation to have. To assist you in this process we offer a Gaining Company Support Tool Kit, which will help you navigate the negotiation waters with your employer.

You should reach out to an HR representative as well as your supervisor about sponsoring you for an EMBA Program.