Executive MBA

The EMBA program at LAU, which was initiated in February 2000, was the first to be offered in Lebanon and the Middle East. Since then, dozens of executives have graduated from the program and currently hold top management positions in many well-known institutions.

The EMBA allows you to earn quality executive training and education while attending to the senior responsibilities in your respective organizations, and is developed to enhance your managerial as well as leadership skills. The courses and seminars in all areas of business are offered at flexible times to suit the professionals’ busy lifestyle. All courses are offered during the weekend.

The program is enriched by the diversity of its student body, which brings value to the offered courses and to the overall learning outcome, especially with the possibility of sharing experiences. EMBA students of different backgrounds join the program –  engineering, pharmacy, law and business, among others. 

Joining the EMBA at LAU will give you the privilege of enrolling in a rewarding endeavor. You will be taught and trained by a team of highly experienced faculty as well as professionals with significant experience. You will be exposed to the latest theoretical and practical management techniques to be applied in managerial situations.

Program Philosophy

Learning is a continuous process throughout individuals’ careers. Thus, the purpose of the EMBA is to allow experienced professionals in Lebanon and the Middle East to combine a full-time career with a high-quality executive education. A wide range of course offerings allows students to develop expertise in several areas of business, namely accounting, banking and finance, economics, statistics, management and marketing.
Such diversity aims at providing candidates from various academic backgrounds with the ability to comprehend the latest theories and applications in all aspects of business, and to apply the acquired course material to real-life managerial situations.

Program Goals and Outcomes

In line with the philosophy, the program intends to help candidates:

• Appropriate techniques to effectively solve business problems.
• Possess leadership capabilities.
• Possess an understanding of the ethical and social dimensions of the decision-making process.
• Possess professional communication skills.

The graduate will be able to:

• Select and analyze relevant data and propose an effective solution to a business problem.
• Demonstrate effective leadership skills.
• Evaluate the social and ethical issues involved in a business case.
• Demonstrate effective written communication skills.
• Demonstrate effective oral communication skills.

Career Prospects

The EMBA program is designed to advance the candidates’ careers by honing their strategic management skills acquired through their professional experience, as well as enable them to become a valuable asset in their companies.

Program Requirements

As required by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), The minimum residency requirement for graduate programs is 2 academic years (i.e. 4 regular semesters with graded courses: 2 Fall semesters and 2 Spring semesters). As an exception, the MEHE will accept 3 regular semesters and 2 summers with graded courses.

EMBA students should complete a total of 24 courses. On average, 21 courses are offered annually. Each course carries 1.5 credit hours, equivalent to 21 hours of classroom sessions. 

Students can enroll in one course every two weekends, according to the following schedule:

• Courses are offered on Friday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every two weekends.
• Up to 12 credits offered by the institutes at the Adnan Kassar School of Business can be granted toward the EMBA program, subject to meeting the standards set by the program’s administration.

All candidates should complete a total of 36 credits composed of the following:

• Core Requirements (18 credits)
• Elective Requirements (18 credits)

View the Typical EMBA Study Plan (pdf).

Core Requirements (18 credits)

Elective Requirements (18 credits)

Students may choose any 12 courses of the following electives:

¹Courses that may be taken more than once for credit when topics differ.

Admission

Students can apply anytime during the academic year (rolling admission).

Applicants to the EMBA program are expected to have professional preparation and accomplishments with a sound academic background. Applicants who hold executive positions will have priority in admission.

Prospective applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree in business studies or equivalent from a recognized university. Admission is granted on a selective and competitive basis to those who have demonstrated aptitude for distinct leadership and career enhancement, and possess managerial skills, increased workplace responsibilities, high ethical standards, perseverance, intellectual curiosity, academic ability and motivation.

With regards to the admission criterion for EMBA, the applicant is expected to have:

1. B.S. degree from a recognized university.
2. The applicant should have a minimum of six years of working experience with a middle management or higher supervisory position.
3. Proficiency in English.
4. All applicants will be interviewed for assessment by the Program Committee.

Meeting these requirements, however, does not guarantee admission to the program. The Admissions Committee has the final decision.

Applicants who are short of meeting the above requirements might be considered for “probationary” admission provided they have “significant supervisory work experience.” Students admitted on probation will earn regular status upon the completion of 6 EMBA credits with at least 3.0 average and no more than one “C” grade.

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