Future of Executive Education Online: What's Coming Next?

Executive education is changing to meet the demands of a changing global economy. In some cases, these changes include adding online programs to existing on-campus executive education offerings, creating hybrid programs and reaching for higher student engagement.

Online Executive Education in the Future

Executive education programs provide working senior and mid-level managers the opportunity to earn an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) or non-degree executive certificates in a variety of leadership and management development topics. These programs have historically been offered on a part-time basis, with classes on nights and weekends, allowing students to maintain full-time work. However, with a changing economy and growing information technologies, some EMBA programs are adding online certificates, creating hybrid degree programs and working to create more interactive online programs.

Growth of Online Executive Certificates

Increasingly, prestigious and well-known schools are adding executive business-related certificates to their online programs. These schools include Boston University, University of California at Berkeley, University of San Francisco and Tulane, according to the Wall Street Journal (www.online.wsj.com). Programs are often offered 100% online in a self-paced format, and they can range from 16-24 semester credits to 4.5 CEUs (continuing education units) to complete. Some schools may offer both graduate certificates for those holding a degree and non-credit professional certificates for those who do not. Topics can include advanced information technology, project management, international marketing, fund raising, global finance, Web globalization management and financial management, among many others.

Growth of Hybrid Executive MBA Programs

Executive MBA programs traditionally are offered on nights and weekends, requiring students to attend on-campus classes. However, with the increase in information technologies and the long-term cost-benefit for schools, the Wall Street Journal says that more hybrid programs are emerging. Hybrid programs can offer up to 70% of their course materials online, requiring students to go to campus just once or twice per year or per semester. Hybrid programs may eliminate elective classes and offer less time spent with professors or fellow classmates. Even admissions requirements for prospective online students may be less rigorous than those for would-be campus attendees, reported the WSJ.

Expansion of Interactive Technologies and Programs

According to the Wall Street Journal, 90% of students complete part-time on-site MBA programs, while some colleges see only 60% of students finishing online programs. To address this issue, schools have made efforts to increase student engagement and promote classroom communities in the virtual campus. Students who live in close proximity to each other are encouraged to meet face to face; some schools require short residencies at the beginning of programs so that students will be familiar with each other and more invested in the program. Some schools are also requiring that students attend orientation classes before enrolling in online programs, to ensure that they understand the self-discipline required, the discussion board and project participation required and the difference between on-campus and online learning formats.