Executive MBA

The Executive MBA program at the Leeds School of Business is designed for leaders and executives with significant work experience, ideally a minimum of 8 years, who are interested in increasing their leadership skills.

The program is delivered via a cohort model that allows students to cultivate a professional and personal network throughout the program. Courses are delivered over 2 semesters each academic year for a total of 4 semesters.

Enhanced virtual instruction provides flexibility so that you can focus on your work and personal life, in addition to school. During the semesters, you will meet with your teams and faculty periodically, leveraging technology for engagement. Six intensive one-week residencies throughout the degree are where you collaborate with your faculty and classmates in-person and apply the lessons learned.

The curriculum consists of 45 total credits. It begins with a first year of rigorous business fundamentals. Leadership is spread throughout the program with themes around inclusion, executive and ethical responsibilities, and negotiation. During the second year students will learn advanced topics in marketing, finance, and strategy as well as innovative business practices and how an entrepreneurial mindset can be leveraged.

Click on this link to access the program summaries for the Full Time, Hybrid, and Evening MBA programs. 

* Orientation will take place in early August 2026 in Vail, CO. 

Additional program prep work in advance of your first year will be assigned in August 2026 and completed prior to the start of classes on August 20, 2026.

* Dates subject to change. 

Note: Semester Calendar Dates are tentative and subject to change.

Fall Semester One - August 21 to December 12, 2025

Fall Semester, Session A courses: August 12 - October 12, 2025 (6 credits)
     Data and Uncertainty (1.5 credits)
     Economics of Pricing, Price Forecasting, & the Macroeconomy (1.5 credits)
     Executive Level Strategy (3 credits)

Executive Leadership, Session A and B:  August 21- December 12, 2025 (1.5 credits)

In-Person Residency #1: September 28 - October 4, 2025 (Location: CU Boulder campus)

Fall Semester, Session B courses: October 20 - December 12, 2025 (4.5 credits)
     Financial Accounting I (1.5 credits)
     Strategic Marketing I (1.5 credits)

Semester Notes:

• Remote Synchronous Instruction will take place on September 5-6, 2025 and November 7-8, 2025. Precise times to be determined and posted on Canvas.
• Remote Synchronous instruction dates will take place during the third Friday and Saturday of Fall Session A, Fall Session B, and Spring Session B (for both first and second year students.
• One week break between Fall sessions A and B: October 13-19, 2025.

Spring Semester One - January 8 to April 26, 2026

Spring Semester, Session A courses: January 8 - February 8, 2026 (4.5 credits)
     Financial Accounting II (1.5 credits)
     Strategic Marketing II (1.5 credits)
     Inclusive Leadership (1.5 credits)

In-Person Residency #2: January 25-31, 2026 (Location: Boulder Campus)

Spring Semester, Session B courses: February 16 - April 26, 2026 (7.5 credits)
     Aligning People with Business Strategy I (1.5 credits)
     Business Finance (3 credits)
     Creating Value through Innovation (3 credits)

In-Person Residency #3: April 12-18, 2026 (Location: Boulder Campus)

Semester Notes:

• Remote Synchronus instrunction will take place on March 6-7, 2026. Precise times to be determined and posted on Canvas.
• One week break between Spring Sessions A and B: February 9-15, 2026

Second Year Kickoff in Vail, Colorado: July 31-August 2, 2026
Additional prep work will be assigned at the kickoff, and should be completed August 3-19, 2026.
 

• Remote Synchronous Instruction will take place on September 11-12, 2026 and November 6-7, 2026. Precise times to be determined and posted on Canvas.
• One week break between Fall sessions A and B: October 12-18, 2026.
   

Spring Semester Two - January 7 to April 25, 2027

Spring Semester, Session A courses: January 7 - February 7, 2027 (4.5 credits)
     Applied Financial Management II (1.5 credits)
     Ethical Leadership II (1.5 credits)
     High Growth Ventures (1.5 credits)

In-Person Residency #5: January 24-30, 2027 (Location: CU Boulder Campus)

Spring Semester, Session B courses: February 15 - April 25, 2027 (7.5 credit hours)
     Digital Strategy (3 credits)
     Global Business Experience (1.5 credits)
     Negotiations (1.5 credits)
     Risk Management (1.5 credits)

Ten Day In-Person Residency #6: April 11-20, 2027 (Location: Global Location)

Semester Notes:

• Remote Synchronous Instruction will take place on March 5-6, 2027. Precise times to be determined and posted on Canvas.
• One week break between Spring Sessions A and B: February 8-14, 2027

Academic enrichment opportunities are a critical counterpart to the classroom experience and enhance the value of your degree.

Speaker series and workshops are offered on a variety of topics such as board governance, entrepreneurship, loT technology, ESG & sustainability, personal branding, and digital currency. These are typically scheduled remotely via Zoom at lunchtime during the February and October semester breaks. 

In addition, students will engage with Leeds business partners and alumni on a regular basis. Access to personal executive coaching is provided as part of the program tuition.

The cost of attendance is $89,000 for the entire 45 credit program, billed in four equal installments of $22,250. Program costs for the Executive MBA program are not expected to change during the two-year program, though unforeseen situations could result in a tuition increase. 

Applicants to the Executive MBA program are automatically considered for competitive merit scholarship awards. Selected candidates will be notified of their scholarship in the admissions letter. 

For students receiving the VA Education Benefit: The VA Education Benefit does not cover food or lodging expenses (including meal ticket fees). Therefore, your benefits will not cover all of the tuition and program expenses for the Executive MBA program.

Students covered by the VA Education benefit also receive a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) based on the location where a majority of their in-person courses take place. This is determined by the zip code of the degree-granting institution (i.e. Boulder, Colorado). Students also receive a Book Stipend per credit hour with a maximum annual cap. Please contact your VA officer for details specific to your benefits. For more information, contact the CU Boulder Veteran and Military Affairs (VMA). Email: veterans@colorado.edu.

Click here for additional information about financing your degree.

Students may also apply for scholarships and fellowships from private sources (outside of the University of Colorado Boulder and the Leeds School of Business) to help finance their degree. Click on the links below for more information.

List of Outside Scholarship Search Websites
List of National Fellowships

Prospective students considering the Executive MBA program should review our website for information about deadlines, application requirements, and admissions criteria.

If you decide to apply, you will start by creating an account in our application portal.

International students: The Executive MBA program is not eligible for the student visa program at the University of Colorado Boulder. Prospective MBA students who require a student visa should consider the Full-Time MBA program.

The Leeds School of Business Executive MBA program attracts leaders and executives who help create a dynamic experience.

Over 50% of our high-performing students are at the director level or above, and come from various backgrounds and professions. With a minimum work requirement of 8 years and strong academic requirements, the result is a rich learning environment of peers, faculty and connections to Boulder and the Front Range's business community.

Check out our website for information about the Executive MBA Class of 2027.

Leeds values the leadership and management skills our veterans contribute to the school.

Our MBA programs offer collaboration, community, and support to build on the skills you’ve developed during your military service. We will help you build the business skills that will prepare you for a significant role in a civilian career. We also recognize that our military veterans are making a significant transition into a civilian career and offer resources and support. For more information, please review our website and the links below:

Office of Veterans Services

MBA Veterans Club

Also note: The application fee for active US military and US military veterans will be automatically waived at the time of submission.

If you have questions, we invite you to connect with us in one of the following ways:

• Sign up for a virtual event or appointment, hosted by a member of our graduate admissions team.
   
• Send us an email at leedsgrad@colorado.edu.
   
• If you would like to be added to our mailing list, complete our interest form for the Executive MBA program at Leeds.

Additional Resources regarding the Leeds School of Business:

     Leeds School of Business Homepage
     Program website: Executive MBA
     View a pre-recorded information session for the Executive MBA Program
     View a pre-recorded information session for Part Time MBA Programs
     Centers of Excellence
     Faculty Directory