Announcing a new format for Notre Dame EMBA-Chicago
I’m excited to let you know about an upcoming change to the Notre Dame EMBA-Chicago program that will enhance the experience we offer our students.
Starting in January 2022, our EMBA-Chicago program will follow a two-year format with monthly residencies from Thursday through Saturday at our downtown Chicago campus. Previously, the EMBA-Chicago was offered as a 17-month program with bimonthly residencies.
Our aim in making this change to the format is to ensure that we are providing our students the very best EMBA experience and program outcomes possible.
The perception of the program in the marketplace is extremely positive and our alumni speak very favorably about their experience. The feedback we’ve received from students and surveys over the last few years has shown that satisfaction with the program has improved significantly. With this change, Mendoza will be best equipped to meet the needs and expectations of students at the highest level possible. Our EMBA-South Bend program has been the two-year, monthly residency for some time.
Beginning earlier this spring, associate dean Walt Clements and I spoke with various audiences including department chairs, the EMBA curriculum committee and EMBA faculty, staff and students to discuss various data points and options to improve the program. We looked at data across the South Bend and Chicago programs related to faculty and teaching methods, curriculum, career development services, operations and administration, and the overall student satisfaction with the program. We also compared our results to other EMBA programs in the region/industry.
As we compared our Chicago program to the South Bend program, and both of those program offerings to other programs in the region, several recommendations for curriculum adjustments were advanced. In addition, the 17-month format in Chicago was identified as a limiting factor in further elevating the student experience.
The advantages of the new format for our students include:
- Additional opportunities to build relationships with business professionals in their cohort, faculty members and the broader Notre Dame community.
- Extended time to work together between residencies on group projects, which are a central part of the EMBA curriculum.
- More flexibility as they balance professional, personal and program demands each month.
- Reduced cost and stress of travel for those who fly into Chicago from all over the U.S.
- A closer alignment with the EMBA-South Bend program, allowing for increased opportunities for collaborative learning experiences.
The new format is part of our ongoing commitment to provide EMBA students with an optimal educational experience supported by alumni, faculty, staff and the larger Notre Dame community. The schedule provides Chicago based students increased opportunities to participate in speaker and networking events, international engagements and more electives.
The planning and effort undertaken to review and analyze the program were significant. We appreciate the time and efforts of everyone involved in the process, particularly the efforts to revise operational plans and calendars, revise the content on the website, and communicate the changes to our various audiences. THANK YOU!
In Notre Dame,
Mike
Michael Brach '88
Director, Executive MBA Program
Director, Executive MBA Program