Business Administration–Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree
Overview for Business Administration–Executive MBA
The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, and Poets&Quants rank RIT's executive MBA among the best nationally.
A 15-month, four-semester program that begins in August and finishes in November of the following year.
The executive MBA is a cohort-based program, where all students enter the program at the same time and move through the courses with their initial cohort.
Students enrolled in traditional electives are required to attend the international seminar, which is a seven-to-10 day educational trip near the end of the program. Students enrolled in life sciences electives have the opportunity to travel to NYC for two-to-three days to explore New York state’s life sciences ecosystem.
RIT's executive MBA is a challenging program designed to accelerate the careers of experienced, high-performing professionals with six or more years of business experience. It is ideal for creative, innovative individuals with established careers who are looking for proven and effective methods and strategies to propel them further up the career ladder or transition into a new field.
RIT's Executive MBA: An Applied Academic and Strategic-Focused Experience
We know you want more than a simple transfer of business and management theory and concepts. You want a high level of engagement with faculty and especially with your peers. The opportunity to discuss, argue, compete, and collaborate with other seasoned managers on strategic and topical issues and projects is an essential feature of a strong executive MBA program, and of one that has direct and immediate applicability to your professional development. RIT's executive MBA program is designed to deliver these highly sought-after experiences.
In the executive MBA program, you will master executive skills such as strategic and cross-functional thinking, utilizing data to drive decision making, client consulting, and leadership. You will learn from knowledgeable and professional instructors and from the motivated and diverse peer group enrolled in the program. The executive MBA program encourages analytical thinking and problem solving and places a strong emphasis on collaboration and group interaction.
Executive MBA Courses
The curriculum in RIT's executive MBA program focuses on core business concepts that provide fundamental skills, knowledge, and perspectives in accounting, statistics, leadership, finance, negotiations, and economics. The program develops skills in cross-functional analysis with an emphasis on strategy, marketing, technology, and international business. Interdisciplinary examples, case analyses, and an applied orientation are key components of the program. The program’s courses are scheduled across four consecutive semesters (fall, spring, summer, fall), with one course per semester merged with the online executive MBA program. Students are enrolled in two courses at a time, which are delivered in a hybrid format over a 6 week period. On campus courses take place weeks 1 and 5 on Friday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. One live virtual session takes place week 3 on Saturday 8am-12:30pm EST.
In addition, all students attend a three-day orientation at the start of the program and a seven-to-10-day international seminar in their last semester. The program takes advantage of local and regional relationships with area businesses, and students have the opportunity to tour various businesses and interact with company leaders during the program, especially during the culminating Capstone Consulting project.
Careers and Salary Info
Typical Job Titles
| Analyst | CFO | Corporate Financial Analyst |
| Data Scientist | Project Manager | Strategic Accounts |
| Senior Account Manager |
Featured Work and Profiles
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How RIT Alum, Christina Gullo is Redefining Leadership
Christina Gullo ’06 Christina Gullo, owner of True North Executive Solutions, LLC, is a dynamic leader with a legacy of transformation. As President/CEO of Villa of Hope (2010-2023), she spearheaded a fiscal turnaround,...
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Championing Veterans: J'nez Thomas drives impactful change
J'nez Thomas ’20 United States Army | Ohio, J’nez Thomas‘20 (Executive MBA), program mentor, builds community by championing veteran success. As a 2025 Ford Oval of Honor recipient and 2023 first runner-up for the Ms...
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RIT Executive MBA: The Secret to Engineering a Leadership Leap
Kailee Polimeni ’24 Advanced Automation Technologies | Clyde, NY, "Work gets the most of me, but it doesn’t get the best of me." Starting as an engineer and co-op supervisor at Advanced Automation Technologies, Kailee...
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From Recreation Leader to Community Catalyst
Michael Cocquyt '18, Senior Program Manager at LaBella Associates, stepped into a whole new career thanks to the program connecting him with diverse classmates and applicable learning.
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Get your cell phone wet? Redux has a solution.
Reuben Zielinski ’85 (electrical engineering), ’96 (EMBA) developed patented vacuum drying technology that removes moisture from electronic devices including cell phones, tablets, and hearing devices....
Read More about Get your cell phone wet? Redux has a solution.
Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Business Administration–Executive MBA
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Admissions and Financial Aid
This program is available on-campus only.
| Offered | Admit Term(s) | Application Deadline | STEM Designated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full‑time | Fall | June 30 | No |
Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.
Application Details
To be considered for admission to the Business Administration–Executive MBA program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete the Executive MBA graduate application.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae demonstrating a minimum of six years of professional experience and advanced technical, managerial, or executive responsibilities.
- Submit a personal statement consisting of 1) a description of a significant workplace challenge and how you resolved it and 2) your rationale for choosing RIT’s Online EMBA program to enhance and fulfill your career objectives.
- Submit three letters of recommendation.
- Entrance exam requirements: None
- Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, etc.), if required. Details are below.
English Language Test Scores
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.
Duolingo (DET): case by case
IELTS: case by case
LanguageCert Academic: case by case
PTE Academic: case by case
TOEFL: case by case
International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers with significant hearing loss do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.
How to Apply Start Your Application
Cost and Financial Aid
Tuition for the Executive MBA includes course materials, travel costs for trips, and access to RIT services.
Every Executive MBA student is eligible for exclusive program scholarships based on need and qualifications that can be combined with select company-sponsored plans, and qualifying discounts.
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A stuffed tiger named Cash is becoming their unlikely symbol of connection, traveling from home to home as a tangible link between classmates across the country.
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Saunders Makes Princeton Review’s List of Top On-Campus MBA Programs
Saunders College of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology made The Princeton Review’s combined list of top on-campus MBA programs in the country as part of its Best Business Schools 2025 rankings.
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