7 EMBA Programs With Excellent Professional Networking Opportunities

When you finish an EMBA program, you walk away with more than an education and a degree. The best programs also offer students opportunities to explore professional partnerships, new career paths, and lifelong connections that foster individual growth and success. Whether you’re attending seminars or joining a club, the right educational program will give you the hands-on experience that’s needed to build a solid professional network for a vibrant, fulfilling career.

The following guide outlines seven of the most prestigious EMBA programs in the country with access to exciting networking opportunities.

7 EMBA Programs That Will Help You Build a Rewarding Professional Network

1. Weill Cornell Executive MBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership

If you’re looking for an immersive experience in the health and medical field, Cornell Healthcare is the perfect EMBA program for you. To start, it offers access to one of the country’s leading hospitals, Weill-Cornell. Through this exclusive access, you can network with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and more who have already made a name for themselves in your chosen sector.

You’ll also participate in stimulating group discussions and projects within each course, thanks to a diverse range of cohorts from all areas of the health and medical industry. With experience in everything from insurance to private physician offices, you’ll be privy to a range of backgrounds, professional insights, and perspectives.

2. Notre Dame Executive MBA in South Bend

The Norte Dame EMBA program takes a comprehensive and thorough approach when it comes to helping cohorts develop a close professional network. Upon entrance, students are assigned to small study groups that meet regularly outside the classroom—each is comprised of cohorts from a broad range of backgrounds. From there, students can take advantage of the school’s Irish Compass Alumni Network, an online community that helps students find mentorship opportunities and develop relationships with other graduates.

3. Loyola Marymount University Executive MBA

The Loyola Marymount University EMBA program sets students up for life-long success from the moment they’re accepted for enrollment. With modest class sizes (roughly 23 participants per courses), Loyola invites students to develop intimate, mutually beneficial relationships with their peers. Graduates are also privy to multiple networking opportunities after they complete the program, including an alumni board with over 3,000 contacts and unlimited career management services.

4. The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business EMBA

The Executive MBA program at The University of Alabama Culverhouse is all about developing relationships through hands-on activities and learning experiences. To ensure students have the social foundation they need to thrive post-graduation, the school hosts a plethora of events year-round in collaboration with the alumni network. The great thing about these events? You don’t need to be a graduate to make the most of them. If you’re considering entering the program, Culverhouse invites potential candidates to see firsthand the advantages of joining their community.

5. The University of Connecticut Executive MBA

Upon entering the EMBA program at UConn, students are guided by a founding principle: teamwork. The philosophy at this school is that, in order to succeed, students need to value and rely on their peers. This sense of camaraderie and collaboration makes it easy to connect with cohorts throughout the program and post-graduation. The UConn Executive MBA supports this vision through group assignments, small class sizes, and interpersonal development, and these efforts translate into a more rewarding student experience. Julia Winer, a graduate of the program, writes, “I measure the program’s value in not only my career growth, academic learning, and skills development, but also in the opportunities that UConn’s EMBA program gave me to build meaningful, lifelong relationships with a group of like-minded professionals.”

6. Chapman University’s Argyros School of Business and Economics EMBA Program

At the Chapman University EMBA program, cohorts have access to a variety of opportunities to help them succeed outside of school. For students seeking a more immersive, hands-on approach, they can utilize the university’s MBA Mentor program, which pairs MBA students with local business leaders. For those who prefer to network and learn alongside their peers, the school also offers a variety of clubs and professional networking societies. A few examples include the Latino Business Student Association, the Chapman Women in Business group, the Consulting Club, and the Business Analytics Club.

7. Northern Illinois University Executive MBA

At the Northern Illinois University’s EMBA program, the class sizes are small and intimate (roughly 35 people per course), which allows students to delve deeper into discussions and build relationships that will flourish well past the program’s end. The school also offers a Consulting Alliance Experience, which puts students in touch with local business leaders and organizations. Finally, as an alumnus, you’ll have access to multiple events focused on connecting students with prime professional opportunities.

Part of your success in an EMBA program means having access to a professional network that will help you advance your career. If you need help finding an EMBA program that will support your ambitions, Ivy Exec is here to help. Our 2019 EMBA ranking page offers all the information you need to find the perfect program that suits your interests.

Next read Ivy Exec’s tips on building a professional network.