USC Marshall School of Business program serves executives in the San Diego region
When mid-career professionals go looking for an executive MBA (EMBA) program, they are looking for particular attributes, such as reputation and academic excellence. But convenience is also a huge factor.
"When I researched the different EMBA options here in San Diego, USC's Marshall School of Business had by far the best combination of excellence in education, reputation and flexibility that I was after," said Marcelle Dawson, EMBA VIII ('15), senior manager of finance development for CareFusion, a San Diego-based medical supply company. As a working mother, she said, flexibility was particularly important for her.
"The balance really appealed to me," she added.
The 21-month EMBA program, held at the La Costa Learning Center in Carlsbad, is identical to the program held in Los Angeles, at USC's University Park Campus, with a robust business curriculum and featured speakers. The cohort meets biweekly on Friday and Saturday, from 8:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There is also a week-long international learning experience.
"We've had great success with USC's EMBA," said Sean Benfield EMBA IV ('11), director of finance for CareFusion. "We've had students in almost every cohort since the San Diego program began in 2006."
The learning is hands-on and immediately applicable.
Dawson was able to use her own company's recent buy-out as a final project case study, inviting in CareFusion's CEO and CFO to participate in class discussion.
CareFusion was recently acquired by medical technology company Becton Dickinson (BD) in a $12.2 billion deal.
"The program has given me the opportunity to dig into the deal and better understand the challenges at an executive level," she said.
Trojan Family Network, San Diego Chapter The USC Marshall EMBA San Diego program also enables students to tap into the Trojan Family Network, even 125 miles south of campus.
Professionals from across industries enroll, increasing the networking opportunities.
"I was happy to see how diverse we were," said Benfield. "Everybody brought a strong skill set to the table, and we all learned from each other. As you get to know each other over two years, you are pushed in ways you didn't expect."
Of the 53 people in his cohort, he keeps in regular touch with about 40 of them, Benfield said.
There are some other perks unique to the San Diego program.
The classroom settings are similar to what you'd find at the USC campus, said Benfield. But of course, in San Diego they are housed within the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa.
"It wasn't a country club break; we worked pretty hard. But you've got to admit that it's nice to be in a position to hit a few golf balls after class."
When mid-career professionals go looking for an executive MBA (EMBA) program, they are looking for particular attributes, such as reputation and academic excellence. But convenience is also a huge factor.
"When I researched the different EMBA options here in San Diego, USC's Marshall School of Business had by far the best combination of excellence in education, reputation and flexibility that I was after," said Marcelle Dawson, EMBA VIII ('15), senior manager of finance development for CareFusion, a San Diego-based medical supply company. As a working mother, she said, flexibility was particularly important for her.
"The balance really appealed to me," she added.
The 21-month EMBA program, held at the La Costa Learning Center in Carlsbad, is identical to the program held in Los Angeles, at USC's University Park Campus, with a robust business curriculum and featured speakers. The cohort meets biweekly on Friday and Saturday, from 8:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There is also a week-long international learning experience.
"We've had great success with USC's EMBA," said Sean Benfield EMBA IV ('11), director of finance for CareFusion. "We've had students in almost every cohort since the San Diego program began in 2006."
The learning is hands-on and immediately applicable.
Dawson was able to use her own company's recent buy-out as a final project case study, inviting in CareFusion's CEO and CFO to participate in class discussion.
CareFusion was recently acquired by medical technology company Becton Dickinson (BD) in a $12.2 billion deal.
"The program has given me the opportunity to dig into the deal and better understand the challenges at an executive level," she said.
Trojan Family Network, San Diego Chapter The USC Marshall EMBA San Diego program also enables students to tap into the Trojan Family Network, even 125 miles south of campus.
Professionals from across industries enroll, increasing the networking opportunities.
"I was happy to see how diverse we were," said Benfield. "Everybody brought a strong skill set to the table, and we all learned from each other. As you get to know each other over two years, you are pushed in ways you didn't expect."
Of the 53 people in his cohort, he keeps in regular touch with about 40 of them, Benfield said.
There are some other perks unique to the San Diego program.
The classroom settings are similar to what you'd find at the USC campus, said Benfield. But of course, in San Diego they are housed within the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa.
"It wasn't a country club break; we worked pretty hard. But you've got to admit that it's nice to be in a position to hit a few golf balls after class."