What is Executive Education?

Executive education is an increasingly popular way for those occupying managerial positions at companies and organizations to hone their expertise.

Executive education programs began booming in the early 1980s. Companies believed there was a direct correlation between more knowledgeable employees and their profit margin. The programs experienced a decline a decade later, but started growing sharply in the late 1990s as business schools offered more innovative ways to stay atop of the game.

Courses for Professionals

Open enrollment programs allow professionals to register for short courses that can last anywhere from three hours to three weeks, during which they receive specialized training based on their vocation. The curriculum ranges from basic business concepts for lawyers to leading innovative enterprises for biotech managers.

Custom-made programs for individual companies are a new addition to the professional education sector. Business schools now develop curricula based on a company's individual needs, from leadership training to an economics crash course. The classes are usually held at the company's offices, making it convenient for employees to attend.

While most executive education programs do not offer degrees, those seeking rigorous business training can pursue an executive Master's of Business Administration (MBA). Armed with an MBA, graduates anticipate making a significantly higher salary and attracting the attention of international employers.

Advances in Career Development

Many schools offer online courses for global clients and professionals who spend more time en route than at home. Online courses utilize tools such as Blackboard to facilitate e-learning. Business schools are also reaching out to the atypical student, targeting government and nonprofit workers. Executive education programs offer to infuse the public sector with efficiency, financial aptitude, and human resource management skills.

Companies often pay for career development programs, which can be quite costly for the individual consumer. But business schools are willing to cut their asking price for large nonprofits that lack the deep pockets of their corporate counterparts.

From students who want to advance their careers to corporations seeking to enhance the skills of their employees, executive education provides a way to stay on the cutting edge of the business world.