Everything You Need to Know about the UNC Kenan-Flagler EMBA

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s business school has three STEM-designated Executive MBA programs. These globally high-ranking programs are taught by accomplished faculty who are not only talented teachers but expert researchers. UNC’s EMBA programs offer unique, flexible degrees that allow students to continue working full-time while earning their degrees.

The learning environment at UNC Kenan-Flagler is collaborative, academically challenging, and primarily focused on leadership development. Classes at UNC Kenan-Flagler are team- and discussion-based, covering topics such as creating value in organizations and thinking globally in a diverse world. UNC Kenan-Flagler prioritizes long-term success in leadership, providing its students with a career services team. Further, Kenan-Flagler is exceptionally dedicated to fostering a community of inclusion and diversity. 

UNC Kenan-Flagler EMBA Class Profile

UNC Kenan-Flagler Evening Executive MBA

Class SizeDoes not disclose
Age/ExperienceAverage Age: 32 years
Average Work Experience: 8 years
DiversityWomen: 29%
Companies Represented47
Pre-MBA Median Salary and BonusDoes not disclose
Advanced Degrees13%
Industries representedTech: 17%
Healthcare: 15%
Manufacturing: 13%
Consulting: 8%
Energy: 8%
Military: 8%
Real Estate: 8%
Financial Services: 4%
Government: 4%
The data above is a profile of the UNC Kenan-Flagler Evening Executive MBA class of 2025.
Explore the full class profile here: UNC Kenan-Flagler Evening Executive MBA Class of 2025 Profile

UNC Kenan-Flagler Weekend Executive MBA

Class SizeDoes not disclose
Age/ExperienceAverage Age: 38 years 
Average Work Experience: 15 years 
DiversityWomen: 36%
Companies Represented46
Pre-MBA Median Salary and BonusDoes not disclose
Advanced Degrees29%
The data above is a profile of the UNC Kenan-Flagler Weekend Executive MBA class of 2025.
Explore the full class profile here: UNC Kenan-Flagler Weekend Executive MBA Class of 2025 Profile

UNC Kenan-Flagler Charlotte Executive MBA

Class SizeDoes not disclose
Age/ExperienceAverage Age: 33 years
Average Work Experience: 10 years
DiversityWomen: 37%
Companies Represented46
Pre-MBA Median Salary and BonusDoes not disclose
Advanced Degrees12%
Industries representedFinancial Services: 29%
Technology: 12%
Consulting: 9%
Manufacturing: 8%
Energy: 6%
Healthcare: 6%
Media/Entertainment: 3%
Military: 3%
Real Estate: 3%
The data above is a profile of the UNC Kenan-Flagler Charlotte Executive MBA class of 2025.
Explore the full class profile here: UNC Kenan-Flagler Charlotte Executive MBA Class of 2025 Profile

UNC Kenan-Flagler Student Experiences

The UNC Kenan-Flagler Executive MBA

UNC Kenan-Flagler has three executive MBA programs: Evening Executive, Weekend Executive, and Charlotte Executive. The Evening Executive and Charlotte Executive programs last 24 months, and the Weekend Executive program lasts 21 months. The main differences between these programs are the location, schedule, and structure of class meetings. 

UNC Kenan-Flagler EMBA Class Format

The UNC Kenan-Flagler Evening Executive MBA program has weekly evening face-to-face class meetings. This program is targeted toward business professionals who live in the Chapel Hill metro area. Next, the Kenan-Flagler Weekend Executive MBA meets once per month on the weekends, with two Impact Weekends. Finally, the Charlotte Executive MBA program has weekly class meetings in addition to three Friday afternoon classes with executive lunches each term. All three programs combine in-person and online teaching. Students are expected to work between 12 and 20 hours outside class. 

Logistics for a Non-Traditional MBA Program

The EMBA programs at UNC allow for a flexible work-life balance, accommodating business professionals who work full-time. Evening and weekend meeting times, along with asynchronous teaching, allow students to integrate learning into their careers. 

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UNC Kenan- Flagler EMBA Curriculum

UNC Kenan-Flagler’s future-focused, analytical-based curriculum is customizable for students. Each EMBA program at UNC Kenan-Flagler includes themed core courses as well as electives, such as Communication, Information Technology/Entrepreneurship, and Operations. The core courses are designed to cover theory in addition to real-life business challenges. Students complete projects with their study team and have the option to obtain a certificate in finance, marketing, strategy and entrepreneurship, or strategy and leadership. 

Video Resources on UNC Kenan-Flagler Academics

UNC Kenan-Flagler EMBA Application

The Kenan-Flagler application requires prospective students to submit their resume, two essays, two letters of recommendation, and their transcript. Applicants are not required to take the GRE or GMAT if they have more than five years of experience. There is also a required interview for admission. 

Successful applicants should already have strong leadership abilities and an understanding of accounting, statistics, finance, and economics. Applicants to the Evening Executive, Weekend Executive, and Charlotte Executive have nine, twelve, and ten years of experience on average respectively. 

UNC Kenan-Flagler EMBA Essays

The two essays, each between 250 and 500 words, ask the applicant to describe themselves, their experiences, and their overall career goals. These essays should be structured, concise, and reveal the applicant’s personality and accomplishments.

UNC Kenan-Flagler’s EMBA essays are identical across all three EMBA programs:

UNC Kenan-Flagler EMBA Essays

  • Career Goals: Please share your immediate and long-term career goals. How will earning an MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School benefit you, both personally and professionally, on your journey toward achieving these goals? Limit your response to 500 words
  • Impact: Keeping UNC Kenan-Flagler’s core values in mind (integrity, inclusion, innovation and impact), describe one of your most impactful experiences or accomplishments. How will you use what you learned through that experience to contribute to the Kenan-Flagler community? Limit your response to 250 words
  • Optional: Is there additional information, not provided elsewhere in your application, that you would like the admissions committee to consider? Limit your response to 250 words. Optional areas to address include:   
    • If you have not had coursework or significant professional experience in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), how will you prepare yourself?
    • Inconsistent academic track-record, gaps in work history, or low standardized test scores   
    • Choice of recommenders

For more guidance, take a look at our MBA Essay Tips, where we look at the most common MBA essays and discuss how to answer them effectively.

UNC Kenan-Flagler EMBA Interview

If invited, prospective students complete a required in-person interview in which the admissions committee hopes to learn more about their qualifications. It is important for applicants to demonstrate their dedication to teamwork and diversity, in addition to their experiences and motivations for completing an executive MBA during this interview. Applicants should schedule their interview at a time they can also visit a class at UNC and meet other students and faculty members. 

Video Resources on UNC Kenan-Flagler EMBA Admissions

Why UNC Kenan-Flagler?

UNC Kenan-Flagler’s EMBA programs appeal to self-motivated mid- to senior-level executives with an interest in participatory and collaborative learning. UNC Kenan-Flagler stands out for its support of alumni, encouraging them to continue taking electives to sharpen and hone the skills they developed during their EMBA program. Further, students interested in a global EMBA experience should consider the Evening Executive program, which includes the Global Entrepreneurship Lab. 

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Explore the UNC Kenan-Flagler EMBA program with insights from our experienced MBA Counselors.

*All data retrieved from the UNC Kenan-Flagler EMBA Program webpages, unless otherwise stated.

The Ultimate
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Our free, comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to shop for an MBA admissions consultant.

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Compare pricing across 35+ MBA admissions consulting firms

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are not to be trusted

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for your needs

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