How You Learn
The Executive MBA Americas uses an innovative team-based learning approach developed by Smith School of Business. Our team-based approach mirrors today’s progressive workplace. You will leave the program with a thorough understanding of the best practices for team building and teamwork – well-prepared to be a valuable member or leader of a high-performance team. Each team member is given many opportunities to lead projects and contribute to projects led by others. As companies increasingly shift to remote work, students will learn how to lead virtual teams, driving productivity and collaboration from a distance.
Understanding the Power of Teams
While other MBA programs talk about teamwork, what they are actually talking about is group work – a very different concept. In the EMBA Americas program, you are assigned to a team, and approximately half of your overall grade is derived from team work. Team members collaborate on assignments, projects and presentations, drawing on each other’s skills and experience. Each Learning Team is composed of 5 to 7 students.
Real-Time Connectivity from your Home City
The Executive MBA Americas program offers a flexible learning model, supporting students to attend classes where and how they learn best. Depending on geographic location, a student has the choice to attend weekend classes either in-person at a boardroom learning facility or to join virtually from their home or office.
Boardroom Learning Centres
Availability: Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver
Students who elect to attend classes from a boardroom learning location will have access to a dedicated learning space and gather with other students from that city.
Outside of on-site sessions, classes are held every other weekend, all day Saturday and Sunday morning. Classes are delivered via real-time, interactive videoconference – a learning technology Smith has been using and perfecting for decades. Multi-point videoconference is used to link learning teams across North and South America.
Professors lead classes from purpose-built studios on Queen’s and Cornell university campuses, and students can interact directly with their professor and other teams.
Remote Teams
For participants living outside of the Boardroom Learning Centre locations, the balance of your class time is spent in your virtual boardroom. All that is required is high-speed internet service, a good computer, and a quiet place for you to attend class.
You will be part of a virtual team that draws its members from across the Americas, with the same level of real-time connectivity and interactivity as the participants attending class in the Boardroom Learning Centres.
Smith provides all the software, tools and team coaching you will need to create a high-performance virtual team.
World-Class Remote Learning
Smith School of Business was a pioneer in using videoconference technology as a means of creating a live, interactive learning experience in major cities across Canada. The School has continued to improve and lead in this technology and the teaching techniques to the point where many of our students find the seamless experience to be superior to a traditional classroom. Professors teach from state-of–the-art broadcast studios on campus at Smith School of Business.
Smith has expanded on the technology with Desktop Learning, enabling people living outside of these major cities to take the Executive MBA Americas program from their home or office, with the same level of live, interactive connectivity.
“Some of my most memorable experiences in the program came from team projects and presentations. The program’s structure intentionally brings together individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, leading to creative, well-rounded approaches to problem-solving. Collaborating in this environment not only challenged my thinking but also strengthened my ability to work effectively in diverse teams, which is a skill that’s proven invaluable in my professional career since completing the program.”
On-Site Sessions
During the program, there are four on-site sessions at both Queen’s and Cornell’s campuses. These on-site sessions are unique in-person learning opportunities highlighted by the chance to experience the rich history and tradition of both universities. In addition to class time, these sessions allow students to engage in experiential learning and network with classmates and faculty.
Visit the schedule page for location and timing information of each session.
