My EMBA Journey

Suffolk EMBA - Program Overview

The Suffolk University Executive MBA Program is a Saturday-only, 18-month program offered in Boston, Massachusetts. The program offers a cluster-based, fully integrated approach to executive learning with an emphasis on global leadership. Offsite seminars that emphasize leadership, global business, diversity and ethics, policy and management are central to the program. Case studies, lectures, experiential learning, and management simulations are emphasized in a team-centric environment.

* 18 courses (51 credits)
* Saturday-only schedule (with exception of Residential Seminars)
* Students move through the curriculum in cohort groups
* A Field research project tailored to your individual career goals
* Structure: 4 Integrated Clusters

Unlike traditional MBA programs where students take courses in a sequential order, the Suffolk Executive MBA features a cutting edge cluster structure which mirrors how business works across functional areas. In our unique approach the relationships between subject matter is leveraged. Course content and subject areas are represented in the chart below, individual course titles and descriptions can be found here Course Descriptions.


Suffolk’s Executive MBA features four required residential seminars that promote an educational experience focused on integrated thinking and global leadership. Each seminar builds upon previous classroom work and sets the stage for the next cluster of courses. Each seminar is held at an off-site location. The four seminars are as follows:

Management Seminar
The introduction to the Executive MBA experience, the Management Seminar focuses on ethics and social responsibility, and utilizes both business simulations and case study methods. This 4 day seminar takes place in Chatham, MA and provides you with an excellent opportunity to learn about and experience first-hand the many complexities in the roles of top leaders and managers. The highlight of this seminar is a simulation which creates a realistic leadership experience. The simulation emphasizes the interpersonal dynamics that occur between people as they address issues that often involve departmental interdependencies, power relationships, and judgment. Students receive peer feedback relating to their simulation participation and role effectiveness. Our students find that this seminar to be highly motivational, resulting in tremendous personal growth.

International Seminar
In this week-long seminar, you will participate in a comprehensive examination of the economic, political and cultural perspectives of doing business in the global economy. You will be exposed to strategic issues through an experiential learning process. The Executive MBA prepares students to become comfortable working in teams which function across borders. During the seminar, you meet with industry leaders, local, national and multinational businesses; and complete a group project. Company and cultural visits combined with both pre- and post-trip class sessions create a dynamic and rewarding educational experience. Executive MBA students visit Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Leadership Seminar
This 5 day seminar was created to develop and refine organizational leadership skills at multiple levels. Classroom activities and a physical challenge result in an intensive educational experience based upon the synergy of concept and application.

The challenge of leadership is to know your strengths and to develop them in ways, which have a direct, positive impact on the organization. While leadership is traditionally defined as a "top-down" flow of power, vision and influence, recent trends in empowerment and downsizing have led to a redefinition of the concept. Leadership is now viewed, in part, as "interpenuership": it is not the title, but rather the person, who defines the role of "leader." You will learn how well you really function in a group dynamic. Do you rise to face challenges? Do you accept and handle risk? Do you adapt to change? How well do you really know your leadership style?

Washington Seminar
As an Executive MBA student you are given direct access to movers and shakers in Washington, D.C. This 5 day seminar provides first-hand exposure to linkage between public and economic policy and its impact on business strategy development and execution. You will meet with key members of Congress, the Administration, influential lobbyists, the media, and other organizations that influence policy development. You will examine first-hand how the branches of government operate and learn to assess government action and its impact on both national and international business.