Life Sciences Electives

In additon to traditional Executive MBA electives, the program also offers Life Sciences electives, which are designed for mid-to-upper level professionals looking to hone their business and leadership skills with a business focus in the life sciences industry. Electives are offered in an online format.

By combining the strengths of RIT's highly regarded Executive MBA program (#9 in the Nation, U.S. News 2022) with our first-in-class technical curriculum, this program is uniquely positioned to help you put your ideas into action. Merging both traditional EMBA coursework with a focus on the Life Sciences industry allows students to integrate the core competencies found in business, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization within life sciences-related disciplines, positioning you as a leader in bringing technologies to market.

EMBA Courses

Program Structure and Format

• The EMBA program is an AACSB accredited 4-semester program with two starts each year. Choose between the 15-month on-campus format with a cohort starting each August, or the 17-month online format with cohorts starting in January or August of each year. 
• The cohort structure of the program means that all students enter the program at the same time, take the majority of the same classes, and move through the program with their initial cohort. Life Sciences students will break away from the larger cohort to enroll in life science electives within their focus. Some courses will also be taken with another cohort (i.e., dual-cohort).  Students are assigned to teams at the start of the program and will remain with their team for the duration of the program. 
• All students must attend a 3-day on-campus orientation session prior to the start of classes. Meals are included for all students during this residency, in addition to transportation and accommodations for students located outside of the Rochester area.
• The core curriculum is identical between the online and on-campus formats with many of the same faculty teaching in both formats. On-campus courses are held biweekly on Fridays and Saturday, while the online program is delivered via weekly synchronous sessions offering high-quality video and audio functionality for optimal interaction. All sessions are recorded for later viewing in the event that students are traveling or otherwise unable to attend. In addition to the primary instructor, most online courses also provide a secondary instructor, who hosts a second online session should students wish an additional touch point each week. 

Delivery

• All course materials, including textbooks, cases, articles, and simulations are provided digitally along with an electronic tablet and any applications required to access the materials.
• Networking in NYC: All EMBA students enrolled in Life Sciences electives will travel together to NYC to visit with companies within the Life Sciences sector. All arrangements are made by RIT, and airfare and lodging are provided by the program.
• International Seminar: All EMBA students within the Life Sciences electives are invited but not required to attend the International Seminar, which is a 8-to-10 day business and cultural educational trip near the end of the program. This experience is not credit bearing for these students. All arrangements are made by RIT, and airfare and lodging are provided by the program.