Graduate programs

Executive MBA

Where experienced leaders sharpen strategy and scale impact

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Program format

In person, alternating weekends

Commitment

Part time

Duration

21 months, 50 credit hours

Overview

The Executive MBA (EMBA) at SMU Cox is designed for accomplished professionals who want to expand their strategic perspective, strengthen their leadership capabilities and increase their impact within their organizations and industries. Delivered in a flexible 21-month format, the program combines a rigorous, analytics-driven curriculum with opportunities to engage directly with senior executives, board members, investors and other influential business leaders. Students gain the insights and frameworks needed to navigate complex challenges, lead organizational change and drive long-term business success.

The learning experience is intentionally practical and immediately applicable. Through project-based coursework, executive coaching, leadership development programs and an immersive international experience, students deepen their understanding of global markets while applying new ideas to real business challenges. A wide range of electives and concentration options allows participants to tailor their educational experience to their professional goals and evolving leadership responsibilities.

Just as valuable as the curriculum is the network students build along the way. Each cohort brings together experienced leaders from diverse industries and backgrounds, creating a collaborative environment that broadens perspectives and fosters meaningful professional relationships. Combined with access to the SMU Cox 42,000-plus-member alumni network and lifelong learning opportunities, the Executive MBA delivers enduring value that extends well beyond graduation.

Be a part of something great

Build leadership skills, gain hands-on experience and expand your network in a dynamic business hub. The SMU Cox Executive MBA prepares you to turn ambition into impact and opportunity into advancement.

Student success

Career development in the Executive MBA extends beyond traditional career services to focus on leadership growth, executive presence and long-term professional impact. Through individualized coaching, leadership assessments, strategic networking opportunities and access to senior business leaders, students gain the perspective and support needed to pursue promotions, navigate career pivots and broaden their influence within their organizations and industries. The result is a transformative experience with lifelong value.

This program prepares you to excel in the following areas and professions:

  • Strategy
  • Management
  • Finance
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Energy
  • Marketing
  • Operations
  • Leadership

#32

Executive MBA program in the U.S.

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

93%

were promoted within as few as 12 months of graduation

2025 Executive MBA Employment Report

51%

average base salary increase upon graduation

2025 Executive MBA Employment Report

Student stories

headshot of Steven GAtes

Stephen Gates, ’23

“My experience with the SMU Cox EMBA was profoundly rewarding. It endowed me with the essential knowledge, skills and extensive network to flourish in my career.”

headshot of Aaron deJong

Aaron deJong, ’24

“I was impressed with the diversity of topics covered through the program—from leadership to marketing to operations—so much of which I could immediately incorporate into my daily work and professional discussions.”

Admissions

Deadlines and details

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

Application questions

Meet 1:1 with a Cox Graduate Admissions team member about the application process.

Additional links

Requirements

  1. Required Essay (Word Limit 500): What are your professional reasons and goals for wanting an MBA?
  2. Optional Essay (Word Limit 250): If you have areas you would like to address or issues to discuss, or a unique experience to share that is not reflected elsewhere in your application, you can use the optional essay.
  3. Unofficial Transcripts: Upload with your application; or send electronically to coxgradtranscripts@smu.edu. (Note: Official transcripts are ultimately required from all colleges and universities where you completed 12 or more credit hours)
  4. No test scores required.
  5. Professional Recommendation: One professional recommendation is required, but you do not need to submit a letter of recommendation. You will need to enter the name, email address, company/organization, and title of at least one person that can recommend you.

View all requirements

Ready to apply?

Get started here. No application fee required.

Tuition and financial aid

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for graduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

BA 6231

Strategic Management for Executives

Covers problems of strategic management through the analysis of cases of success and failure in developing and executing strategies for both single- and multi-business firms. The problems include market positioning, industry analysis, vertical integration and outsourcing and business diversification. Uses current theoretical concepts, methods and frameworks to explain and predict management decisions and outcomes.

BA 6215

Transformational Executive Leadership

A study of leadership that promotes an academic and practical understanding of the subject. Discusses the similarities and differences between effective management and leadership. Students explore and work on improving basic interpersonal skills related to leadership effectiveness. Investigates thoroughly leadership effectiveness from at least three angles: personal leadership, interpersonal leadership and organizational leadership. Provides detailed feedback into how others view the student’s leadership skills. Promotes the insight required to effectively write a meaningful personal leadership development plan and help develop a personal leadership point of view.

BA 6436

Unbridled Leadership: Cox IMPACT Practicum

Discusses the skills required to prepare and present a professional business plan for an entrepreneurial venture and the analytical skills needed to identify and properly evaluate a new business opportunity. Includes exploration of financing options for the entrepreneurial company and development of a financing plan, overview of the venture capital process, interviews with and lectures from practicing entrepreneurs who have sought venture capital, and preparation and presentation of a professional business plan.

View course catalog

Outside the classroom

Research

SMU Cox faculty conduct research that advances business knowledge and informs practice across global industries. Their work appears in leading academic and industry journals and spans areas including finance, marketing, strategy, operations and emerging technologies. This research directly informs teaching and brings current, evidence-based insights into the classroom.

Faculty

At SMU Cox, faculty combine academic expertise with extensive real-world experience as consultants, executives and thought leaders in their fields. They bring that perspective into the classroom, challenging students to think critically, test assumptions and apply business concepts in practical, decision-oriented ways. Through this approach, students learn directly from professionals who are actively shaping how organizations operate and compete in today’s global economy.

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Gauri Bhat

Gauri Bhat

Associate Professor
Tony Bridwell

Tony Bridwell

Adjunct Professor
Bill Dillon

Bill Dillon

Professor
The Herman W. Lay Professor of Marketing
Former Senior Associate Dean (1996-2026)
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Rogge Dunn
Samira Fazel

Samira Fazel

Clinical Professor
Robert Lawson

Robert Lawson

Clinical Professor
Jerome M. Fullinwider Centennial Chair in Economic Freedom
Director,…
Susan Riffe

Susan Riffe

Clinical Professor
James Linck

James Linck

Professor
Distinguished Chair in Finance
Senior Associate Dean, Programs

Robin Pinkley

Professor
Janet and Craig Duchossois Endowed Professorship in Management and Organizations
R. Canan Savaskan-Ebert

R. Canan Savaskan-Ebert

Associate Professor
Headshot of Venky Shankar

Venky Shankar

Professor
Harold M. Brierley Endowed Professor
Academic Director, Brierley Institute for…
Profile Logo

John Terry

Adjunct Professor
Gordon Walker

Gordon Walker

Professor
Bobby B. Lyle Endowed Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies

Facilities

Students in the Executive MBA program at Cox can collaborate with the Career Management Center.

Career Management Center

The pioneering Cox Career Management Center is your go-to for everything from personalized career strategy and coaching to personal branding, job search and innovative mentoring programs. From the moment you enroll, the CMC is ready to help you accelerate or transition your career.

The Business Leadership Center at SMU Cox helps Executive MBA students learn to lead.

Business Leadership Center

The Edwin L. Cox Business Leadership Center enhances classroom experiences by developing MBA students’ leadership skills through seminars, executive speaker series, experiential learning programs and coaching.

Frequently asked questions

The SMU Cox Executive MBA (EMBA) is designed for experienced professionals—typically with 8+ years of full-time work experience and management experience—seeking to deepen their strategic and leadership skills while continuing to work. As such, courses are specifically designed for leaders who are further along in their careers. And, while most of the coursework takes place on campus, EMBA students can occasionally take online electives. In contrast, other SMU Cox MBA programs (Full-Time, Professional, Online and MBA Direct) serve students at earlier career stages and offer more flexible formats for building foundational business knowledge or making career pivots. Learn more on the Executive MBA Admission process and the MBA Programs overview pages.

Yes. The SMU Cox Executive MBA delivers strong return on investment for mid- to senior-level professionals seeking accelerated career growth while continuing to work full time. Among the Classes of 2020–2024, 93% of graduates were promoted within 12 months of graduation, reflecting significant upward mobility.

Program outcomes for the Classes of 2020-2024 also show broad career impact: 80% of graduates changed functions, 66% changed companies, 61% assumed greater budget responsibility, 55% expanded team leadership, 32% moved into new industries and 16% accepted roles in new geographic locations within as little as 12 months from graduation. These results reflect the program’s combination of rigorous, relevant curriculum and executive-level peer networking designed to support continued career advancement.

The SMU Cox Executive MBA helps accelerate your career by strengthening your leadership abilities, expanding your executive-level network and providing access to dedicated career resources designed for experienced professionals. The Executive MBA is also an excellent way to engineer a career pivot. Graduates benefit from services such as personalized career coaching, industry connections and an alumni network that supports long-term advancement. Learn more on the Executive MBA Career Development and the Executive MBA Program pages.

The SMU Cox Executive MBA is designed for seasoned professionals and typically requires a minimum of 8 years of full-time work experience, with many students bringing mid- to senior-level management backgrounds. This ensures a high-caliber peer learning environment and executive-level classroom discussions. Learn more on the Executive MBA Admissions page.

For the Fall 2026 entry, the SMU Cox Executive MBA tuition and fees total approximately $144,190*, which includes tuition, program materials and the international trip. Cost details and financing options are outlined on the Executive MBA Tuition and Financial Aid page.

*Please note, fees may change slightly each academic year.

The SMU Cox Executive MBA does not require the GMAT for admission; instead, the committee evaluates your professional experience, leadership background and academic history. Applicants typically have extensive work experience that provides a strong foundation for the program. Learn more on the Executive MBA Admission Criteria page.

In the SMU Cox Executive MBA, you learn advanced leadership, strategy, finance and global business skills through a curriculum designed for experienced professionals. The program emphasizes analytical rigor, executive decision-making and real-world application supported by an international business experience. Explore the curriculum on the Executive MBA Courses page.

The SMU Cox Executive MBA is a 21-month program designed for working professionals balancing career and coursework. Students move through the program in a cohort format that supports collaborative, executive-level learning. Learn more on the Executive MBA Program page.

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