Program Overview

University Programs Overview

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business offers a range of programs designed to develop leaders and advance business knowledge. These programs cater to various needs, from full-time and part-time MBAs to executive education and lifelong learning opportunities.

Degree Programs

• Full-Time MBA: A 21-month curriculum with a global perspective, aiming to develop leaders of purpose.
• Part-Time MBA: Allows completion of the Darden MBA on a flexible schedule, suitable for working professionals, at the UVA Darden DC Metro location.
• Executive MBA: Earn the Darden MBA while advancing your career, also at the UVA Darden DC Metro location.
• Future Year Scholars Program: Darden’s deferred MBA admissions pathway for college seniors and full-time master’s students.
• MS in Business Analytics: A 12-month program in partnership with UVA's McIntire School of Commerce, focusing on statistical analysis and leadership.
• Ph.D.: A multi-year program providing a rigorous course of study for candidates who research for more than the sake of research.

Executive Education & Lifelong Learning

• Executive Education: Offers transformational, lifelong learning experiences to develop well-rounded leaders and drive growth in a changing market, available in-person, online, or both.
• The Executive Program: Darden's senior advanced management experience for top global executives.
• Programs for Individuals: Focused experiences for high-potential executives and managers seeking personal growth and career transformation.
• Custom Solutions: Development for leaders and high-performers, designed to meet an organization's unique needs.

Explore Courses

Learn from Darden faculty through online courses available worldwide.

Partnership for Leaders in Education

Empowers education leaders with innovative thinking in business and education.

The Executive Program: Advanced Management

Overview

The Executive Program (TEP) is the most comprehensive advanced management and succession planning program for top leaders. It aims to develop leaders who can lead with purpose, perspective, vision, and values through a powerful experience that improves both mind and body, inspiring participants to ask, ‘What’s possible?’

Key Topics & Themes

• Executive Perspective:
  • Strategic Positioning
  • Brand Positioning
  • Leadership Roles
• Enterprise & Global Perspective:
  • Corporate Governance
  • Leading Change
  • Global Economy & Growth
• Entrepreneurial Perspective:
  • Disruption & Innovation
  • Digital Transformation, AI
  • Launching New Ventures
• Strategic Perspective:
  • Emerging Markets
  • Fintech
  • Cybersecurity
  • Scenario Planning
• Energy Management & Wellness

Special Activities

• Business Challenge Project: Exercise strategic and leadership agility while focusing on skill development to solve an organizational challenge.
• Integrated Wellness Program: Enhance physical, emotional, and mental health, strengthen resilience, and maximize energy and effectiveness.
• "Deep Seeing" Experience: Led by National Geographic photographer Sam Abell.
• Gen AI: Get experience using generative AI tools and other emerging technology.
• Three 1:1 Coaching Sessions
• Guest Speakers: Industry experts & TEP alumni
• Site Visits and Cultural Immersion Activities

Outcomes

This program will help participants and their organizations:

• More effectively lead from purpose, vision, and values
• Skillfully envision and communicate an enterprise strategy and desired future
• Leverage an enterprise perspective to integrate across functions and foster a results orientation
• Demonstrate a global perspective to decision-making and systems thinking
• Enhance personal well-being by balancing mental and physical demands with organizational imperatives
• Enhance strategy through insights from industry giants
• Build a global network of peer leaders
• Strengthen recruitment, retention, and development of high-potential team members

Application Process

Participants represent a broad range of backgrounds. Although the number of participants from any one organization may be limited, firms are encouraged to send more than one executive. A company may request a reservation before nominating a specific applicant. Completed applications are handled on a "first come" basis, with enrollment limited and early application encouraged.

Participant Profile

Designed for senior-level leaders inspired to lead from a position of purpose, perspective, vision, and values, who want to develop a strategic mindset and new ways of thinking. Participants typically have more than twelve years of management experience and are new to or preparing for C-suite roles.

Alumni Benefits

In addition to networking with a diverse group of leaders, TEP graduates are connected to the 17,000+ Darden alumni worldwide, receiving benefits such as:

• Alumni Directory
• Lifetime Darden email address
• Monthly webinars with faculty
• Alumni chapter events
• Access to Darden's case collection
• Alumni Career Services online toolkit
• Alumni newsletters
• Executive Education discounts (excluding TEP)

Location & Accommodations

The program takes place at Darden's locations in Charlottesville and the Washington, D.C., metro, with accommodations provided for all participants as part of the program fee.

Certificate & Continuing Education Credit

Completion of TEP earns Darden's noncredit The Executive Program: Advanced Management Certificate. Participants also receive continuing education credits as part of UVA Darden Executive Education's commitment to lifelong learning.

Faculty

The program is led by a team of top-ranked faculty, including:

• Elena Loutskina: Professor of Business Administration, with expertise in finance, corporate financing, venture capital, and innovation.
• Martin N. Davidson: Johnson and Higgins Professor of Business Administration, focusing on leadership and organizational behavior.
• Doug Thomas: Academic Director of the Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning, with expertise in supply chain management and technology.
• Sankaran Venkataraman: MasterCard Professor of Business Administration, focusing on strategy, ethics, and entrepreneurship.
• Kimberly A. Whitler: Frank M. Sands Sr. Professor of Business Administration, with expertise in marketing strategy and brand management.
• Jodi Harris: TEP Wellness Program Coordinator, working on health and wellness programs for executives and leaders.

Scholarship Opportunities

• Dean's Scholarship: Awards outstanding leaders with up to a 50% discount on the program fee.
• Commonwealth Fellowships: Covers 80% of the tuition for senior leaders from nonprofit organizations in Virginia.