|
|
2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog
Business Administration, MBA
|
|
 Return to: Graduate Programs A-Z
Being the only AACSB International accredited graduate program in Hawaiʻi and one of the few MBA programs in the U.S. with a true Asia-Pacific focus, Global MBA students will gain a comprehensive foundation in business fundamentals while having opportunities to learn and explore international studies and experiences.
The program can be completed through three different program tracks (21, 24, and 36 months) allowing students to customize their curriculum based on availability and professional commitments. The program is cohort-based allowing students to learn the inner-workings of group dynamics crucial for the leaders of today’s organizations. MBA students will spend their first 1-2 years (depending on their program track) learning the principles and theories of management strategies through a sampling of courses in various functional areas which stresses developing the skills and breadth of judgment required of top-level managers and executives in both the private and public sectors. Once a majority, if not all, of the core courses are completed, students can customize their degree through the completion of seven elective courses. With the assistance of an advisor, students select courses that fit their personal and professional goals and interests. In the final semester, students complete a consulting practicum, synthesizing and applying knowledge from their MBA course work to an existing organization.
Language Track—Students who wish to specialize in international business, specifically on a country of focus may do so through our Language-Track Program. It is highly recommended that students pursuing this track are also enrolled in the 21-month Track Program. Students in this program will be required to meet two out of three criteria for language and international experience:
- Language requirement can be met in one of two ways: a) Passing a proficiency test that would waive the requirement to take language courses. This would be administered by the language department here at UH Mānoa. The level of proficiency required to pass this test would be equal to testing out of third year language courses; b) The program is not limited to those that arrive at Shidler with language proficiency, and the language requirement can also be met by taking language courses here at UH Mānoa during the first year of the Global MBA program.
- Overseas Internship—generally done after completing the MBA core courses, typically in the summer
- Study Abroad—9-12 credits of elective business course work at one of our partner institutions in that country that will coincide with the fall term of the second year.
The Shidler College of Business and UH Mānoa work with many partner universities around the world to offer Study Abroad opportunities. For a current listing of schools please see the following websites:
Joint Programs—The Shidler College of Business offers joint programs with a few UH Mānoa colleges and schools such as the Richardson School of Law, Nursing, Engineering. Applicants must meet the admission requirements and be accepted to both programs to be eligible for the joint program. For more information contact the Admission Director at busapp@hawaii.edu.
Executive Education Center
The Executive Education Center is responsible for Shidler College’s executive degree programs as well as custom and open-enrollment programs. Our programs develop the critical skills and leadership capacities of individuals, teams, and organizations to sustain a competitive advantage in a global economy. We design and deliver custom programs to support organizations in achieving their strategic goals. Our open enrollment programs are offered to flexibly serve individuals and organizations seeking breakthrough learning opportunities.
|
Executive MBA
The Executive MBA (EMBA) program is a 22-month degree program designed for highly motivated managers who want to increase their knowledge and acquire the skills needed to assume broader corporate responsibility. A total of 48 credit hours is completed during this accelerated degree program. Classes are uniquely scheduled to allow working individuals to participate with maximum convenience to themselves and their sponsoring organizations. The program consists of a short residence session at the start of the first academic year, with classes meeting Tuesday evenings and alternating Saturdays. An undergraduate degree, GMAT exam, at least five years of progressively successful work experience, and a current management position are required for admission. A new EMBA cohort begins in August of alternate years. Email: emba@hawaii.edu. Distance Learning Executive MBA
The Distance Learning Executive MBA is a 22-month program designed to meet our neighbor islands’ business demands by providing advanced business training to their residents. The 48-credit hour program is geared toward individuals who have shown leadership or management potential. It enables students from the neighbor islands to pursue a graduate degree without having to travel and with limited interruption to their professional obligations or family life. The distance learning executive MBA classes are highly interactive and are broadcast in real time so that all students on the receiving sites will receive instruction simultaneously. Class meetings are held online every Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and alternating Saturdays. In addition, students will have 16 visits to UH Mānoa to engage and interact with professors and classmates beyond the virtual classroom environment. The instructors, curriculum, and academic standards are the same as our regular evening UH MBA/EMBA program. As such, it requires the completion of 48 semester credit hours of graduate level courses divided into two parts: the required core and elective courses. Electives will be determined by the students as a group based on collective needs. Email: emba@hawaii.edu. Distance Learning Executive MBA-Health Care Management
The Distance Learning Executive MBA-Health Care Management Program provides a unique insight into the health sector, which is undergoing transformational growth and change. The program combines a dynamic and rigorous MBA core business curriculum with health care-focused electives to prepare candidates for successful and rewarding careers. The program is a focus area within the Distance Learning Executive MBA, where students enrolled in the Health Care Management focus will take Health Care elective courses in the second year of study. These elective courses will enable students to understand the dynamic landscape of the medical industry and eventually, demonstrate the ability to provide sound business acumen to health care organizations. Distance Learning Executive MBA-Travel Industry Management
The Distance Learning Executive MBA Travel Industry Management focus area provides unique insight into the travel industry sector, which is undergoing transformational growth and change. The program combines a dynamic and rigorous MBA core business curriculum with hospitality focused electives to prepare candidates for successful and rewarding careers. Examples of required courses include: strategic hospitality marketing and service innovation; service management and operations; innovation and strategic applications of IT in E-commerce; current issues in hospitality and tourism organizational behavior. Cohort members will choose one of the following electives: airline and travel business management and analysis; sustainable tourism concepts and practices. Vietnam Executive MBA (Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi)
The Vietnam Executive MBA (VEMBA) is a 22-month degree program in business administration, conducted in cooperation with the International University in Ho Chi Minh City and the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi. The 48-credit-hour program is modeled after the Executive MBA conducted in Honolulu, with the same faculty and curriculum. Faculty members teach courses in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in one-month modules, partly as distance learning. Participants in the program are established Vietnamese executives, some Americans, East Asians, and other expatriates. EMBA has Asian business as its focus but constant consideration is given to the impact of globalization on business and economics in the region. Email: embaha@hawaii.edu and embahcmc@hawaii.edu. Electives (21 credit hours)
Of the required 21 credit hours, six may be at the 400-level. Students may also take graduate electives from outside the college as long as at least nine elective credits are completed within Shidler College of Business. Professional Development (0 credit hours)
Integrative Capstone (3 credit hours) or Thesis (6 credit hours)
Thesis Option
In consultation with their advisor, a student may opt to do a research thesis in place of BUS 696 and three elective credits. Thesis students enroll in |
Return to: Graduate Programs A-Z
|
|
