Last week we offered a rundown of two New York City-based EMBA programs, NYU Stern and Columbia. This week, for candidates interested in pursuing a degree on the West Coast, we’d like to take the time to discuss the similarities and differences between the EMBA programs at UCLA and USC Marshall.
Like Stern and Columbia, these California-based programs tend to attract an older crowd of applicants. The average age of students in the UCLA and Marshall programs is 38 and 37, respectively, indicating that the majority of applicants have had 10-15 years of work experience. At both schools, women comprise approximately one-fifth of the student body. Additionally, like most EMBA programs, students at both UCLA and Marshall attend classes every other Friday and Saturday for a period of approximately 22 months (the Marshall EMBA degree is awarded after 21 months).
Although UCLA and Marshall share several similar traits, there are also key differences between the two programs. Of the students in the UCLA Class of 2010, 24% have backgrounds in the engineering/manufacturing industry, while 15% of students have backgrounds in finance. Individuals arriving at UCLA with a background in entertainment comprise just 1% of the class. Meanwhile, at Marshall, 21% of EMBA students studying at the main campus in Los Angeles, as well as 12% of students at the satellite San Diego campus, have backgrounds in the consulting media and entertainment industry. Students representing the manufacturing and operations industry comprise 17% of the student body at the LA campus and 12% of the San Diego-based group. Among students attending the San Diego program, the most highly represented industry is High Technology, totaling 22% of the class.
The curricula offered at UCLA and Marshall are also different. Although both stress the importance of learning in a manner which mimics the way in which a manger would be forced to address situations in a professional environment, UCLA’s academics are a bit more flexible than the Marshall curriculum. The Marshall curriculum is divided into a series of ten themes rather than courses, each representing a specific managerial situation. Students are given a grade within each theme. At UCLA, students are also required to complete several mandatory courses, but are also offered the opportunity to take electives and complete a six-month field study program known as the Strategic Management Research program. Both programs, intent on helping students develop a global perspective, require a study abroad trip.
Although the two programs offer similar degrees in approximately the same amount of time, the difference between the schools indicate that interested applicants should spend time learning about each in order to determine which program is the bit fit for his or her personal goals and interests. To learn more about the UCLA or USC Marshall EMBA, make sure to visit each program’s website. You can also contact Clear Admit and speak with one of our counselors for guidance with your applications.
