Executive MBA Curriculum
Elevate Your Leadership. Expand Your Impact.
The Pepperdine Graziadio Executive MBA (EMBA) is intentionally designed for experienced professionals ready to expand their influence and lead at the highest levels of their organizations. Built for senior leaders and rising executives, the program transforms accomplished professionals into well-rounded, strategic decision-makers grounded in values-based leadership.
Delivered in an 18-month accelerated format, students attend classes approximately once a month on weekends, progressing together in a close-knit cohort of fewer than 20 executives. Courses are delivered sequentially, allowing deep focus on one subject at a time while immediately applying insights in the workplace.
Our applied curriculum is designed to be learned in the classroom on the weekend and implemented in the boardroom on Monday.
Core Curriculum
The Executive MBA is a 45-unit, AACSB-accredited program delivered over five trimesters. The curriculum emphasizes strategic leadership, executive presence, and applied decision-making through an integrated sequence of courses and projects.
Effective Executive Residential Workshop
The program begins with a four-day immersive residential experience focused on leadership development, executive presence, and cohort connection. This intensive workshop establishes the foundation for values-based leadership and lifelong professional relationships.
Integrated Executive Core Courses
Across the five trimesters, students develop advanced competencies in:
- Strategic decision-making
- Financial analysis and value creation
- Competitive strategy
- Innovation and digital transformation
- Organizational leadership and change
- Global business strategy
Every course reinforces executive-level critical thinking, communication excellence, and strategic execution.
Applied Strategic Research Project (ASRP)
A defining feature of the EMBA curriculum, the ASRP integrates coursework with a real-world business challenge. In the first trimester, students select a “live case,” often their own organization, and throughout the program:
- Conduct internal and external analyses
- Develop strategic and financial goals
- Craft data-driven strategies
- Build comprehensive implementation plans
The ASRP culminates in a Strategic Management Capstone Project, delivering a fully developed strategic plan that creates tangible value for both the student and their organization.
Take the Next Step
Learn more about how to achieve your career goals with the Pepperdine Graziadio Executive MBA Program.
What Can Students Expect?
Our program was shaped by the belief that leadership is best developed through a blend of rigorous academic training and real-world application. We drew inspiration from our Southern California business community, our deep ties to entrepreneurial and values-driven leadership, and our mission to prepare students not just to succeed in business — but to lead with integrity.
Personalized Executive Development
Each student is paired with a certified executive coach—an experienced senior executive and EMBA alumnus—who provides tailored guidance throughout the program. Learning teams also serve as a trusted “board of directors,” offering peer insight and accountability.
Executive Presence & Strategic Confidence
Every graduate leaves with sharpened skills in executive communication, leadership presence, problem-solving, and high-level strategic decision-making.
Applied Learning
Case studies, simulations, interactive discussions, and real-world business integration ensure immediate workplace relevance. Students continuously apply robust frameworks and models to active business challenges.
Future-Ready Education
The curriculum incorporates advancements in AI, emerging technologies, and digital innovation—preparing executives to lead confidently in today’s evolving business landscape.
Accelerated Career Momentum
Gain the strategic perspective, executive confidence, and expanded network needed to step into broader leadership roles, increase organizational influence, and accelerate your trajectory at the highest levels of business.
Small Cohort, Powerful Network
With fewer than 20 students per cohort, the EMBA fosters deep professional relationships that extend well beyond graduation. Alumni frequently collaborate on new ventures, partnerships, and leadership initiatives.
Balancing Theory and Executive Application
The Executive MBA blends foundational business frameworks with hands-on strategic implementation. This balance is reinforced through:
- Effective Executive Workshop: Intensive leadership immersion at program launch.
- Applied Strategic Research Project: Continuous integration of coursework into a real business challenge.
- Case Studies & Simulations: Executive-level analysis and competitive strategy exercises.
- International Residential: Global context-setting and cross-border strategic insight.
- Executive Coaching: Personalized leadership refinement and professional growth.
Learn in a Global Destination
Executive MBA students participate in an eight-day International Residential, traveling with their cohort to a location of emerging importance in global business. This immersive experience provides firsthand exposure to international markets, global leadership challenges, and cross-cultural strategy execution.
Frequently Asked Questions