UA and EMBA Receive Top Rankings for Veterans

• November 10th, 2015
• in EMBA Uncategorized, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

For the sixth year, the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program at The University of Alabama has been named a Military Friendly® school by Victory Media. Now in its 13th year for companies and seventh year for post-secondary schools, Victory Media’s Military Friendly® ratings recognize colleges and companies with leading programs for veterans, members of the Armed Forces leaving military service and military spouses. The military currently represents 29% of the entering EMBA class for 2015, up from 25% the year before.

Factors considered in the Military Friendly® school selection process include support for student veterans on campus, graduation and employment outcomes, and military spouse/dependent policies. Daniel Nichols, Chief Product Officer of Victory Media and Navy Reserve veteran adds: “Those earning the 2016 Military Friendly® designation demonstrate a strong connection between classroom learning and career development. They’re moving the needle beyond ‘why recruit military’ to translating military competencies into training and positive employment after graduation.”

To read the full press release, click here. In addition to the University of Alabama being named as one of the 2016 best colleges for veterans by U.S. News and World Report, a new study commissioned by United Services Automobile Association (USAA) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes rates Tuscaloosa, Alabama as the top metro area that offers higher education opportunities for veterans.

According to the rankings released November 5, UA received the top ranking due to factors such as having the highest graduation rate among the top 10 and the highest percentage of Post-9/11 Yellow Ribbon recipients. For more information on this year’s criteria click on USAA.

Here’s the full top 10 list:

1. Tuscaloosa, Alabama
2. Lynchburg, Virginia
3. Ann Arbor, Michigan
4. College Station, Texas
5. St. Louis, Missouri
6. Killeen, Texas
7. Syracuse, New York
8. Greenville, North Carolina
9. Salt Lake City, Utah
10. Columbia, South Carolina

For more information about the UA Executive MBA, contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501 or request information at www.emba.ua.edu.

UA Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Named Military Friendly School 2015

• October 9th, 2014
• in EMBA Program Information

For the fifth year in a row, the UA Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program has been named a Military Friendly school by GI Jobs. “Schools that have earned the elite Military Friendly® designation have demonstrated a commitment to supporting student veterans on campus and in their careers,” according to the GI Jobs website. Last year, 25% of the Culverhouse EMBA graduating class had military experience.

GI Jobs is a magazine that works to provide veterans with a reliable education and employment resource to ease veterans’ transitions and connect them with career opportunities. The magazine also releases annual lists of military friendly employers, schools, and careers.

Factors considered in the Military Friendly school selection process include on-campus military support, credit acceptance, school offered tuition assistance, spouse and dependent benefits, and flexibility. The Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA program earned the highest scores in the school offered tuition assistance, flexibility, and on-campus military support categories.

For more information about the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA at The University of Alabama, contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501 or request information here.

Executive MBA – A Good MBA Choice for Veterans?

• July 19th, 2013
• in EMBA Program Information, Helpful Tips and Advice

UA Manderson EMBA Military Veterans and students preparing for their international immersion.

Transitioning from a military career to a civilian work environment is cause for serious reflection and careful planning.  Questions arise … will my military leadership and management skills translate? Is the EMBA the right degree for me?  Why is an EMBA Program a great choice for Veterans specifically?  Are accelerated programs, EMBA programs for instance, respected by industry? Can I find a reputable EMBA Program that is also military friendly? Can I work full time while participating in an EMBA Program?  Can I afford it with my Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits?
When considering the best path for your education, remember the following points:

• Will my skills translate?   Trends show the corporate world benefits greatly from well-seasoned military leaders who are making the decision to transition out of active military service.  After all, historically, many a great business theory or strategy was first developed in a military setting prior to trickling into commercial industry.

• Is the EMBA the right degree for me?   There actually is no E.M.B.A. degree in the US at this time.  An EMBA program offers the M.B.A. degree in a format designed for experienced professionals.  The degree curriculum is generally broad by design to prepare students for executive leadership positions. Also, an executive-style MBA program is an efficient way to reframe military leadership training with a boardroom-style business education.

• Why is an EMBA a great choice for Veterans specifically? The average EMBA student has 15 years of professional work experience.  By choosing an EMBA format for their degree, Veterans are immersed with a group of experienced, highly motivated professionals from diverse industries such as technology, telecommunications, health care, manufacturing, services and defense.  Learning from professionals active in other industries is a great fit for the warfighter who wants to transition quickly into an executive environment.

• Is an EMBA respected by industry compared to a “regular” MBA?  Yes! Industry leaders understand and value the drive needed and sacrifices made by professionals who work full time and earn a degree in an academically rigorous EMBA program. Additionally, company executives know EMBA programs value leadership skills, teamwork mindset and the world experience Veterans bring into the classroom. They know they are getting a good “product” by hiring an EMBA. EMBA programs offer a boardroom-style class setting with experienced professionals and typically in an accelerated schedule, ranging from 17 to 22 months in length.  Work and school is a challenging undertaking.  Taking on this challenge with a network of experienced professionals is a rewarding experience.  Industry understands and values the discipline required to graduate from a highly-regarded EMBA program.

• Can I find a reputable EMBA Program that is also military friendly?
  Most EMBA programs require a minimum of five years of professional work experience and count military service years equal with commercial-industry experience. Key tips for Veterans or active military who are evaluating how Post 9/11 G I Bill benefits apply to tuition costs: 1) check on whether the program is a public institution and if tuition is considered “in state”  2) ask if a program waives application fees or waives tuition prepayment requirements for active military and Veterans   3) confirm that your enrollment status will be considered “full time”.

• Can I work full time while participating in an EMBA Program?  Yes.  Take advantage of that great post-military job offer while attending school full time.  A weekend schedule is a perfect schedule for the working professional.  Plus, EMBA faculty understand your schedule and in most instances can work with you on work/life schedule conflicts.

• Can I afford an EMBA Program with my Post 9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits?  Yes! Although tuition is slightly higher for most EMBA programs, this is typically due to the “all-in-one cost” of the tuition/fees structure.  Meaning your tuition, books, supplies, meals, and international immersion are included in the cost of the program. Contact the program you are considering for more details.  In most cases you will be pleasantly surprised!

If you are looking for a perfect fit as you transition from military service to the civilian workforce; check out an Executive MBA program. It is challenging experience that will fit well with the skills developed through a career of military service.  Visit the Executive MBA Council website, embac.org, to compare programs in your region; compare up to five programs side by side on this site.

For more information on this blog, visit www.emba.ua.edu or call Cheryl to talk more about returning to Graduate School as a Veteran, 205-348-4501.