Ottawa University's
Executive MBA Program

What to Expect

In OU’s EMBA program, you will be part of a two-year, on-ground, cohort learning model that allows you to develop professional relationships and networking opportunities with your peers from around the world. Class sizes are approximately 30-35 students, so you will receive the personal attention you deserve for getting the most out of your EMBA program.

In the classroom, you will gain more than head knowledge by developing skills that will benefit you throughout your career. Learning to collaborate with other students while completing group projects; delivering presentations and honing your public speaking skills; working with diverse, multi-cultural peers; practicing your English language skills; and learning the finer points of American business are all extras that you will take away from your EMBA degree experience.

It’s also worth mentioning that over the course of the two-year program, you will build relationships with our faculty and staff, become a part of the Ottawa University community, and witness the “Ottawa Spirit” firsthand. We’ll expose you to some of the local culture, and after graduation (which we’d love for you to attend in person!), you’ll join a network of beloved OU alumni from all across the globe.

EMBA Format

In the cohort model, you will move through your degree program with the same group of students in your core business courses throughout your two years. You get a blend of a ‘homeroom/cohort’ in the first term of every semester and then additional networking opportunities to meet different students during the second term in a semester. You will complete your on-ground core and concentration courses on campus while also taking part in your on-the-job executive practicum throughout those same two years. This allows you to gain invaluable, hands-on experience that can’t be taught in a classroom.

To complete your course requirements, you will participate in you will participate in a contact weekend for each of the courses you are enrolled in during the EMBA program. These weekends are immersion style classes conducted over 3 days – Friday, Saturday and Sunday – every 8 weeks. In addition to instruction, students work together on a variety of projects and presentations and have the opportunity for mentoring and networking with professors and peers.

EMBA Degree Details

Ottawa University’s Executive Master in Business Administration consists of 42 total credits - 36 coursework credits and 6 executive practicum credits.

Coursework credits are earned through core courses, concentration courses, as well as a capstone course. The core and capstone courses each require a practicum (work experience) of a minimum of 5 hours per week each semester (16 weeks) in order to earn the executive practicum credits. This means the practicum requirements are completed throughout the duration of the two-year program.

Core Courses (Executive Practicum required for each)

• BUS 7000 Organizational Behavior and ;Theory
• BUS 7200 Value Systems & Professional Ethics
• BUS 7500 Managerial Economics
• BUS 7600 Managerial Finance
• BUS 7800 Management Accounting

Concentration Courses

Each student enrolled in the EMBA program chooses and completes one of the following concentrations that is comprised of six courses.

• Business Data Analytics
• Health Care Management
• Information Technology
• Operational Effectiveness

Capstone Course (Executive Practicum required)

The capstone course is BUS 8500 Graduate Seminar: Business Policy and Strategy. In this program capstone course, participants develop a major case study of business administration issues, programs and policies in a current organization, drawing from and utilizing concepts, theories, and skills developed in previous courses. Completion of all core courses and advisor approval are required before taking the capstone course.

Executive Practicum

Considered a course all its own (BUS/IT 8701/8702 Executive Practicum), this requirement is completed in conjunction with required courses throughout the degree program. Led by a faculty member, it is a seminar which requires students to work in a training position related directly to their concentration. Students must complete a minimum of 5 contact hours per week with the employer during the course of each semester’s practicum (16 weeks).

Program Requirements

Curricular Practical Training

F-1 students enrolled in Ottawa University’s EMBA program must have Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is temporary authorization for practical training directly related to a student’s major field of study. CPT allows students to complete the executive practicum requirement of the EMBA (described above).

OU international students are required to maintain eligible CPT employment for the duration of their study with Ottawa University. CPT is requested and approved by the Executive Practicum instructor and authorized by the Ottawa University International Programs office in accordance with F-1 regulations. CPT may be part-time (20 hours or less per week) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week). Students are required under the terms of their degree to work no less than 5 hours per week. To remain eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), another type of work authorization for F-1 students, international students must have either part-time CPT or fewer than 12 months of full-time CPT.

NOTE: The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) defines employment as any type of service for which a benefit, including academic credit, is received. Therefore, even if a student will not be getting paid, s/he should obtain CPT authorization before commencing an internship, Co-Op, practicum or field placement.

Preparatory Course Requirements

A prospective EMBA student who has not satisfied the preparatory course requirements should take at least one undergraduate accounting course and one economics course with a minimum letter grade of “C” for each or complete the MBA Math course. The prerequisite course(s) must be completed prior to enrolling in BUS 7500 Managerial Economics and BUS 7800 Management Accounting. Note that BUS 7500 and BUS 7800 are also prerequisite courses for the BUS 7600 Managerial Finance course. Your Student Services Advisor will help you navigate your degree requirements.

Contact Information

For more information about OU’s EMBA program, you can email Karla Engel, who is our international enrollment partner at Howell Management Services.