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Ranked #1 in Silicon Valley and top 15 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the Leavey Executive MBA Program at Santa Clara University offers working, experienced executives the tools and skills necessary to succeed at the top levels of business.
Harnessing the expertise and innovation of Silicon Valley the Executive MBA Program delivers an exceptional education based on real-world application, giving you unparalleled access to a rich network of professors, peers and fellow professionals. Offered in a hybrid format, the 18-month program is now more convenient than ever. With more than a third of the curriculum offered online, you’ll attend in-person classes only approximately one weekend a month.
Why Get Your Executive MBA in the Bay Area
Choosing the Executive MBA at Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business means studying at the center of innovation while advancing your career at the same time. Designed with senior professionals in mind, the program offers several advantages that fit the pace and demands of executive life.
Flexible format for professionals
The Executive MBA offers a hybrid schedule that blends online learning with in-person sessions. Classes meet once a month on campus and once a month virtually, scheduled on Friday afternoons and Saturdays every other weekend. This structure enables the balance of study with the responsibilities of a demanding career, while applying new frameworks and strategies directly in the workplace to accelerate growth.
Distinguished faculty and industry connections
Classes at Santa Clara are led by faculty who are respected scholars in their fields and bring years of professional experience into the classroom. This balance of academic insight and real-world perspective helps students gain exposure to valuable industry networks as they study.
Powerful alumni and career network
Executive MBA graduates join a strong community of more than 25,000 Leavey alumni and 100,000 Santa Clara University alumni worldwide. These connections help open doors to senior leadership roles and entrepreneurial ventures.
Structured career services, including executive coaching, workshops, and employer partnerships, further support graduates as they advance into influential positions.
Location in the SF Bay Area
With a beautiful 105-acre campus, Santa Clara University is located at the center of the most innovative region in the world, with over 7,000 companies and startups in Silicon Valley.
Faculty
Leavey faculty are teaching scholars–often published in top-ranked journals and presenting at conferences all over the world. Learn more about our Executive MBA faculty.
Academic Excellence
Our curriculum blends team-based collaboration with cutting-edge business practices, preparing students with skills to power dynamic 21st-century careers.
Values
Combining our core values rooted in the Jesuit tradition with the dynamic ethos of Silicon Valley, we educate ethical business leaders who will work to make our businesses, our community, and our world a better place.
Alumni Network
Tap into incredibly strong Leavey and Santa Clara University connections–25,000 and 100,000 alumni respectively. Explore Leavey's alumni network.
Flexibility
Classes are offered in a hybrid format, on evenings and weekends, to fit your life and goals. Plus, a variety of electives and concentrations allow you to customize any Leavey degree to your interests and timeline.
Executive MBA By the Numbers
Executive MBA Curriculum
Our practical, hands-on curriculum is taught by stellar faculty and distinguished Bay Area practitioners. Classes meet in person once a month and virtually once a month, Friday afternoons and Saturdays, every other weekend. Organized around the pillars of strategic leadership, analytical aptitude, cross-functional executive, and entrepreneurial & innovative mindset, the Executive MBA curriculum is designed to provide an integrated and comprehensive learning experience for C-suite leaders.
Other bootcamps, simulations, and workshops
- Mindfulness in Leadership
- Leading with Improvisation
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Strategic Digital Transformation
- Statistics Bootcamp
- Online Statistics Prep
- Marketing: Brand Simulation
- Marketing: Experiential Corporate Project
- Operations: Root Beer Simulation
- Operations: Little Field Simulation
- Crossing the Chasm
- Product Management
- Emerging Technologies
- Managing Board Meetings
- Legal Fundamentals for Entrepreneurs
*Total academic units subject to change based on annual curriculum review and updates.
Executive MBA Immersion Trips
Students will participate in a short visit to California’s wine country to learn about sustainability and how business activities can lead to the exhaustion of natural resources. They will learn how leaders’ decisions can meet today’s business needs without endangering the environment of tomorrow.
Program participants will travel to Washington DC to explore current issues in governance, the legal and regulatory environment, and business-government relations. Meeting with regulators, government agencies, and more, participants will learn about how national policy and regulation impacts business and innovation.
To complete their EMBA experience, students will go abroad to understand global markets and business issues. Sessions will address how to navigate international politics and challenges, while preparing students for diverse business opportunities in product development, innovation, and entrepreneurship growth.
Alumni Success in Santa Clara and Beyond
Leavey graduates leverage their degrees to expand their influence and advance in competitive industries. Graduates describe the Executive MBA as a turning point that gave them confidence, community, and the tools to lead at the next level:
"The strength of the Santa Clara alumni network drew me in, and it has only grown more valuable since I joined. Balancing work, family, and study was tough, but this program was one of the best decisions I've made."
Laura Krueger, Executive MBA, Principal Director at Krueger Properties
"Coming here and learning proven strategies with case studies gave me confidence. The network and the support system are incredible–it's truly a Bronco family. My network has expanded far beyond what I had at NVIDIA."
Rajal Maharaj, Executive MBA, Technical Marketing Manager at NVIDIA
"One thing I didn’t expect to get out of the program was a deep level of confidence that I feel at my core from really hard work … now what was really difficult then feels not difficult at all."
Leandra Schuler, Executive MBA, COO and Employee Owner at Zachary's Chicago Pizza
"I wanted the right tools to lead in tech, and Leavey offered the best value. The program is designed for working professionals and taught by people who have been in the industry. It's been an excellent foundation for stepping into executive leadership."
Vikram Kumar, Executive MBA, AR/VR Product Quality at Meta
Career Coaching and Employer Connections
From career acceleration to industry pivots to entrepreneurial launches, Leavey ensures students receive the personalized support they need to achieve their goals. Graduate Business Career Services offers one-on-one career counseling, executive coaching, resume reviews, and employer engagement events.
Located in Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University’s EMBA program leverages its proximity to leading technology, entrepreneurship, and finance companies to offer students opportunities for professional networking through employer panels, alumni sessions, and industry-informed curriculum.
The Executive MBA at Santa Clara University is designed for accomplished professionals who are ready to move into senior leadership roles. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in any field.
Professional experience is also a crucial element for admission. While 10+ years of work experience is typical, the admissions team values depth of responsibility, leadership trajectory, and contributions to organizations as much as the number of years. Applicants who bring diverse backgrounds and cross-functional expertise are encouraged to apply.
Prospective students can learn more by attending one of our admissions events:
- Information sessions that provide an overview of the program
- Networking events where you meet faculty, staff, and alumni
- Webinars that allow you to ask questions from anywhere in the world
- Class visits that give you a firsthand look at the Executive MBA in action
Attending an event is one of the best ways to determine if the program is the right fit. You'll gain insight into the curriculum, connect with potential peers, and have the chance to ask your most important questions. Events are offered both on campus in Santa Clara and virtually for convenience.
One of the most effective steps before applying is to schedule a one-on-one conversation with an admissions advisor. These sessions are tailored to your background and career goals, and may cover:
- How your professional experience aligns with the Executive MBA program
- Strategies for preparing a strong application
- Ways to balance studies with work and personal commitments
Appointments can be scheduled virtually or on campus in Santa Clara, giving applicants the flexibility they need. Many students find that an advisor meeting helps clarify next steps and builds confidence in the admissions process.
For your application, you'll need:
- Non-refundable application fee
- Resume/CV
- Personal statement
- GMAT/GRE scores or test waiver
- Official transcripts
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Interview (as requested)
Cost & Financing
Executive MBA Program Costs
The estimated total cost for the Executive MBA program is $128,808 for those students starting in fall of 2025. This includes tuition, books, meals and parking during academic terms, and international in-country travel and accommodations for a mandatory international trip.
Program fees are subject to adjustment annually, and the number of required units may change. Visit the University Financial Aid Office website for more information about the cost of attendance.
Ways to Finance Your Executive MBA
Scholarships
Merit scholarships are automatically considered at the time of application. The majority of merit awards are given to students with a GRE or GMAT score officially submitted, and to students who apply by priority deadlines. Explore all available graduate business scholarships.
Loans
The University Financial Aid Office can help in locating and applying for federal or private loans. You may visit the staff in Patricia A. and Stephen C. Schott Admission and Enrollment Services Building; call (408) 551-1000, or email onestop@scu.edu.
Employer Support
Some students receive financial assistance from their employers that can help offset the cost of attendance. Check out this article from Indeed for tips on gaining employer support for your journey to an MBA.
Frequently Asked Questions
A traditional Master’s in Business Administration (like Leavey's Evening MBA) provides a general overview of several areas of business—usually finance, marketing, operations, human resources, and analytics. Students have the option to complete their MBA part-time, online or full-time. This degree is best for working professionals with three or more years of experience who want to gain the knowledge and skills to earn a promotion or make a career pivot.
An Executive MBA, on the other hand, is keenly focused on the challenges and opportunities that exist in executive-level positions. From stakeholder negotiations and high-level business planning, to management skills and delegation, this advanced degree will cement your status in your organization. Better yet, you’ll have the chance to reinvigorate your everyday business strategies and pass on your learnings to others.
Regardless of the format and learning pace of an MBA degree earned at Santa Clara University, diplomas will state ‘Master of Business Administration’.
If you currently hold a senior position, an Executive MBA will give you the final push you need to reach the top tier. For those who already occupy the C-suite, an EMBA will help you learn and implement modern business technologies, lead from a position of empathy and integrity, and approach your work with a fresh energy and perspective.
Yes, Leavey also offers an Online MBA and Evening MBA program.
The application opens in mid September.
There are no prerequisites for the Executive MBA.
The Executive MBA requires at least 10 years of professional experience. The average is 17 years.
Yes, applicants receive waivers based on their professional work experience and academic background.
Yes. All students who submit their completed application by the designated deadline are reviewed for scholarships when we evaluate their application. No additional paperwork is required for most scholarships. Students who submit after that date may be considered if scholarship funds are still available. Scholarships are merit-based. Learn more about EMBA scholarships.
The university provides access to both federal and private loan options. Domestic students (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) are eligible for both federal and private loans. International students, however, are eligible solely for private loans, which may require a creditworthy U.S. cosigner depending on the lender's requirements.
Fall Deadline (approximate start date August)
- April 1st for scholarship priority
- June 1st final deadline
During the application process, you may submit unofficial copies of your transcripts or a foreign transcript evaluation. If admitted and planning to enroll, you will be required to provide official transcripts from each college or university attended, or an official foreign transcript evaluation, sent directly to our office by the issuing institution.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree from outside of the United States are required to have their official transcripts evaluated, regardless if the transcript is printed in English. (Applicants with a US master’s degree are waived this requirement.) We require a course-by-course, cumulative GPA, and U.S. degree equivalency evaluation.
We require a course-by-course evaluation that includes a cumulative GPA and U.S. degree equivalency assessment.
We have several service providers:
Maybe. All international bachelor’s degrees MUST be evaluated (see above) and determined to be equivalent to a US bachelor's degree. Read about the policy for admitting students with a three-year degree.
No, the Executive MBA is not STEM approved.
No, the EMBA program is not open to international students who need an F-1 visa to study in the US.
After an application is submitted, applicants will receive an email with login credentials to access their Application Status page. This page will show the application checklist, any missing materials, and provide the option to upload any additional documents.
Once the application is complete, qualified applicants will receive an invitation to schedule an on-campus or video admission interview. Following the interview, most applicants will receive an admission decision within two weeks after the final admissions interview.
If admitted, students must place a $1500 nonrefundable deposit to hold a seat in the Executive MBA program. This amount will be credited to the first quarter’s tuition.