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 can be taken in one of two formats, depending on your geographic location. In many major markets throughout North America, participants attend classes in a boardroom learning facility. In all other locations, or if required due to work-related travel, participants are placed on a virtual team, attending class from their home or office.
Boardroom Learning Centres
Availability: Ottawa, Toronto, Mississauga, Markham, Calgary and Vancouver.
The Boardroom Learning approach is offered in major cities across Canada and the United States. So when business takes you on the road or you have to relocate, you can attend class in the city you are visiting or join the team in your destination city.
Classes are delivered via real-time, interactive videoconference technology that Smith has been utilizing and perfecting for more than 15 years. These class sessions are held all day Saturday and Sunday morning, every other weekend.
Professors lead the class from purpose-built studios on Queen’s campus. Participants are able to communicate directly with the professor and with the other teams. Our participants consistently tell us they prefer the Boardroom Learning approach to that of a traditional classroom.
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.
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.
