Executive Continuing Education Programs: Rider Executive MBA

Mercer Business, Mar 01, 2006

Leadership Training, China Trip Highlight Rider's Executive MBA Program

Leadership skill building embedded throughout the curriculum, executives in residence teaching alongside graduate business faculty and an international study trip to China form the backbone of Rider University's Executive Master of Business Administration program.

"The curriculum focuses on leadership skills, practical applications and networking," said Larry Newman, dean of the College of Business Administration. "While leadership skills are applied in all classes, the addition of skills seminars helps to sharpen them through teamwork."

"An important feature of the program is that classes are held at the Doral Forrestal Hotel in Princeton," Newman added. "This allows us to conduct classes and leadership skill training in a setting where students can immerse themselves, interact and team build."

Six seminars cover essential management and teambuilding skills such as listening, leadership, time management, stress management and career management. In addition, two full-day sessions are dedicated to leadership training. Ongoing evaluation of the leadership training will determine how well students are acquiring and retaining skills.

Newman also noted that Rider's Executive MBA program is one of a few to have executives in residence working with graduate business faculty in advanced sections. "These executives can share their personal insights with students," he said. "Classes become workshops, and students gain valuable perspectives on business problem solving."

Another important component of the program is a seminar in international business, which will include about two weeks traveling in China. Currently, a trip is being planned to Shanghai in April 2007. Through a series of site visits to international companies and Chinese companies, students will meet with business leaders, develop relationships with overseas firms, take cultural excursions, and get an in-person look at how business in done in one of the world's most dynamic markets.

Recognizing that business managers have busy schedules, Rider's Executive MBA program can be completed in 21 months. There are 17 courses, 16 of which are eight weeks long, and the 17th being the international business seminar. Classes meet on Saturdays when Rider is in session and include weekly online assignments. This arrangement allows students to obtain their Executive MBA degree and balance family and work life.

To be eligible for the program students must be employed full time with a minimum of five years' work experience and have three years of managerial or supervisory experience. Applicants must submit a resume, a statement of objectives, have two letters of recommendation and have a personal interview. Students must also have a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. A GMAT score of 550 or above also meets admission requirements, however; there is also an option of not taking the GMAT, in which case additional requirements would need to be met.

For information about Rider's Executive MBA program, contact Paul Benchener, director of the program, at 609895-5528 or pbenchener@rider.edu .