The EMBA program provides established and rising business leaders with the comprehensive strategic vision to successfully lead organizations into the future. With a curriculum centered on applications for artificial intelligence and machine learning, EMBA graduates build the future-ready skills executives need to successfully lead a digital-native workforce. Participants learn in a highly collaborative and collegial environment, forming lasting connections with other highly driven, successful professionals.
Yes. All Merage MBA students receive identical MBA degrees, and the same internationally renowned faculty teach in all our MBA programs.
The EMBA is for professionals, managers, entrepreneurs and executives with at least 8 years of business experience and 5 years managing people, projects, data, teams or budgets. Students in this program have an average of 10+years of progressive work experience. Students are encouraged to bring their professional experiences and challenges to enhance the classroom learning experience across disciplines and industries. The EMBA program is also distinguished by its specific emphasis on leadership in the digital age.
No, you are not required to have an undergraduate degree in business. The Merage School recruits and admits individuals from a broad range of academic and professional backgrounds.
Scholarships are only offered during the admissions process when merit can be measured by the admissions staff. Fees include registration, textbooks, course materials and software, parking, lodging during all residentials, meals during class weekends and membership to the UC Irvine Athletic Center. Fees are paid on a quarterly basis, prior to the start of each quarter.
Yes. Financial aid is not based on need. A number of financial aid opportunities are available, including government and private loans. See Financial Aid for more information. Additionally, the Merage School offers a number of partial merit-based scholarships for qualified candidates.
Yes. We encourage you to contact us for a one-on-one meeting, class visit, and/or an MBA Preview Day to learn more about the EMBA program. Please email emba@uci.edu or schedule a consultation.
It may be possible to waive certain core courses, which is at the discretion of the faculty and will not expedite your graduation. All students must complete the same number of units.
UC Irvine policy prohibits the awarding of duplicate degrees. We are unable to consider your application if you have an MBA degree from another university.
The Program
Classes meet four weekends per academic quarter on Friday afternoon from 3:30 pm – 8:30 pm (includes dinner) and Saturday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (includes breakfast and lunch). Each academic quarter is 10 weeks in duration.
The EMBA program is 21 months and starts in September every year. Graduation is in June of the second year of the program.
Merage School EMBA students spend 15 - 20 hours per week outside the classroom on individual assignments and group projects.
In addition to having a 4-year Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, it is important to demonstrate competence in analytical skills in your application. This may be identified through undergraduate math courses or your Executive Assessment score.
Admissions
Students must have a Bachelor’s Degree (a GPA of 3.0 or better is preferred) and a minimum of eight years of work experience with 5 years of management experience. Executive Assessment results may be requested based on your academic record. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) results may be required if the language of instruction at your undergraduate university was not in English.
The Admissions Committee takes into consideration the candidate's professional background, including career progression, academic preparedness, accomplishments and interpersonal skills.
No, the GMAT/GRE is not required for admission, but we will accept it as a supplemental aspect of your application. The Executive Assessment may be requested depending on your academic record. If you have already taken the GMAT or GRE, we will accept your score in place of the Executive Assessment.
When an application is complete with all supporting documents, it is reviewed by the Admissions Committee. An interview is required for the EMBA program; an invitation to an on-campus interview may be sent to you once your application has been reviewed.
Admissions decisions are usually made within 2-3 weeks.
Applications are submitted online and are evaluated in the order they are received once all supporting documentation has been turned in. We encourage applicants to submit their applications as early as possible. Applicants will receive status updates from the admissions coordinator throughout the review process.
Yes. Applicants are notified of admissions decisions and fellowship award packages continuously throughout the admissions cycle. We typically notify candidates of their admissions decision within 2–3 weeks after each deadline, or possibly earlier, depending on when you apply to the EMBA program.
The application fee is $150. We waive the application fee for veterans, current members of the U.S. military and UC IrvineAlumni. Please contact emba@uci.edu for the application fee waiver prior to submitting your application.
Paper documents should be mailed to:
UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business Executive MBA Program Office 4293 Pereira Drive, Suite 4200 Irvine, CA 92697-3125
Two professional letters of recommendation are required for every applicant. Current or former supervisors are the most suited to provide clear evidence of your managerial experience or potential for advancement. Recommendations may be obtained from professionals, such as colleagues, clients or business partners.
Submission of letters of recommendations is required using the form in our online system.
Students may submit a maximum of three letters of recommendation. However, due to the large number of applications and recommendations received by our office, we ask applicants to submit no more than two letters of recommendation.
We prefer that you submit your recommendations through our online application. However, if your recommenders prefer to complete the recommendation form on paper, please mail the sealed letters along with your other supporting documents to:
UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business Executive MBA Recruitment and Admissions 4293 Pereira Drive, Suite 4200 Irvine, CA 92697-3125
If you submitted an application to the EMBA program within the last two years, you are considered a re-applicant. The first step towards reapplying is to contact the Recruitment and Admissions Office to let them know of your interest. In addition, please send the following items to the Recruitment and Admissions Office:
An updated copy of your resume
An essay describing your professional activities and accomplishments since you last applied. Include your reason for re-applying to The Paul Merage School of Business.
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