Executive MBA at Northern Illinois University

Cross career boundaries to great leadership opportunities.

Our Executive MBA (EMBA) is a rigorous, weekend program that builds on the base of your managerial experience to help you advance to the highest levels of leadership. Conveniently located at our Naperville campus, and with classes on late Friday afternoons and Saturdays every other weekend, your work and travel schedules won't be interrupted.

You can complete the degree requirements in just 16 months. View the EMBA calendar.

Program Highlights

  • A reputation for quality: The NIU College of Business is accredited by AACSB International.
  • Best value in the Chicagoland area: The total cost of $60,000 is lower than most private colleges and includes course materials, team-building residency, career coaching, international immersion trip, laptop, and breakfast and lunch buffets on class days. Scholarships are available.
  • Small class sizes (15 to 25 students) to promote meaningful participation.
  • A curriculum that encourages you to think cross-functionally and strategically.
  • Faculty experts who use a combination of case studies, class discussions, engagement with business leaders and real-world projects.

You'll receive high-quality instruction from faculty members and C-suite executives selected for their ability to prepare seasoned professionals for executive leadership opportunities. Taught in four innovative mindsets (entrepreneurial, agile, global and transformational) our program will help you gain the leadership skills top companies look for in executives.

  • Entrepreneurial: envision possibilities in a radically changing environment.
  • Agile: connect the dots between strategy, functions and disciplines.
  • Global: create alignment between diverse persons, markets, cultures in order to lead global initiatives.
  • Transformational: bring innovation to life through strategic intention and experimentation.

You'll participate in a two-week professional career coaching seminar including one-on-one sessions and alumni mentoring. Your earnings potential will increase in just 16 months (the amount of time it takes to earn your degree).

The NIU EMBA broadens your horizons. You'll gain a rich understanding of global business by being in the center of where it happens. Our global component provides an immersive, nine-day international immersion trip. You'll engage with international organizations, use what you learn and interact with global corporate leaders.

Previous experiences have included trips to:

  • Europe
  • Asia
  • Central America
  • South America
  • Australia

Company visits have included:

  • McDonald's
  • Motorola
  • Seimens
  • Samsung
  • Mercedes
  • BMW
  • Hyundai
  • Lindt
  • Moser Watches
  • V-Zug
  • Schindler
  • Tesla
  • Adobe
  • Alcatel-Lucent
  • Incubators
  • American Chamber of Commerce

Praise for NIU's EMBA

“The best part of the NIU EMBA is that it truly blends education with real-world experiences. It was a challenging program that definitely helped me grow in my career and also as a person. It’s one of those life-changing decisions that I’m happy I made.”

Prashanth Sankaran, EMBA class of 2016.

Schedule an Appointment

Apply

Ralph de la Vega

Cross Boundaries to the C-Suite

Ralph de la Vega did. From Cuba to the NIU EMBA to CEO of AT&T Mobility.

Contact Us

MBA Program
Barsema Hall
740 Garden Road
DeKalb, IL 60115
866-NIU-MBA1
mba@niu.edu

NIU College of Business AACSB Accredited

Higher Education in Diversity Award - 2021 Top Colleges for Diversity

P&Q Best Undergraduate Business Schools logo

Back to top