Santa Clara University

Executive MBA achieves first national ranking

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – April 6, 2006. Launched just seven years ago, the Executive MBA program at Santa Clara University is so well regarded by business educators that it earned a #21 national ranking in USNews & World Report's "Best Graduate Schools 2007" guide released last Friday. This is the first year the young program has appeared on the national list, available on the publication’s website (usnews.com).

The Executive MBA (EMBA) program was designed to serve more experienced leaders whose rapid career path requires an accelerated degree program, and admitted its first students in 1999. “We’re delighted that our Executive MBA, uniquely tailored to Silicon Valley leaders, has earned a significant reputation across the country,” said Elizabeth Ford, assistant dean of graduate programs in the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University.

“Curriculum for the Executive MBA program at Santa Clara University takes an integrated approach to leading organizations with operating in fast paced, rapidly changing environments. Students from a wide range of industries, from semiconductors, to pharmaceuticals, to retailing find this integrative approach immediately applicable” said Dr. David Caldwell, Senior Associate Dean at the Business School, and faculty director of the program.

The EMBA has more than 150 alumni, primarily located in the greater Bay Area, including leaders in technology firms as varied as Yahoo! and Cisco, as well as retailers headquartered in the Bay Area, such as Cost Plus World Market, and The Gap. Program administrators are currently evaluating applicants for its Class of 2008, to begin in August 2006.

In addition, this year the Business School's part time MBA program for working professionals placed #12 nationally; the magazine has ranked traditional MBA program at Santa Clara University in the top 20 for more than 10 years. “Since its inception in 1959, our MBA program has provided working professionals with real-world, real-time business education that enables our alumni to lead with confidence, as well as compassion. We’re pleased that once again the exceptional qualities of our faculty, curriculum, and graduates have been recognized nationally,” said Barry Z. Posner, dean of the Leavey School of Business.