The Heller School for Social Policy and Management
Executive MBA for Physicians

Schedule & Format

two EMBA physicians talking and gesturing to one another
Heller's EMBA for Physicians is a rigorous, hybrid curriculum of onsite/online coursework and practicum designed to fit within the busy schedules and critical responsibilities of practicing MDs, DOs, DMDs, DDSs, and DPMs. The degree is structured as an accelerated 16-month program with four 10-day residential sessions. Off-campus time will be spent taking webinars, doing individual study and preparation, and engaging in online blended learning. This format makes the best use of participants’ valuable time, enabling them to gain the skills and credentials they need to make a difference in their institutions.

Schedule for the Class Enrolling in January 2025

The EMBA program matriculates a cohort of about 30 physicians in January that will complete the program in May of the following year. Each Brandeis on-campus session will be followed by an online learning curriculum that will include preparation for the upcoming on-campus session.

Semester 1: 

  • In-Person Residency: January 11-19, 2025
  • Off-campus online learning: January to April 2025

Semester 2: 

  • In-Person Residency: May 2-10, 2025
  • Off-campus online learning: May to August 2025

Semester 3: 

  • Off-campus online learning: September 2025 to January 2026
  • In-Person Residency: 10 days in January, 2026

Semester 4: 

  • Off-campus online learning: January to May 2026
  • In-Person Residency: 10 days in May, 2026

Physician MBA Program Modes of Learning

The EMBA curriculum is designed to integrate new knowledge with practical skills to address current and future challenges facing physician leaders. The modes of learning encourage student engagement, peer interaction, and faculty mentorship, as well as incorporation of the students’ own leadership experiences. Examples include:

  • Traditional classroom lectures with individual and team projects
  • Webinars
  • Online independent work modules
  • Case studies
  • Applied learning assignments
  • Simulation exercises
  • Assessments that integrate knowledge across courses

There will be several major projects over the 16 months including: 

  • 360-degree leadership assessment with feedback and individual and group executive coaching
  • Leadership shadowing experience during which each student spends time shadowing and learning from a selected leader in their organization
  • Process improvement capstone project in which individuals identify a significant leadership or organizational challenge within their institutions and undertake a change management initiative from proposal to completion

Location

The four 10-day in-person residency sessions are held at an Executive Conference Center in Wellesley, MA. 

Curriculum

63 credit hours taken over 16 months

Offering a rigorous curriculum appropriate for the skills and knowledge of practicing physicians, this intensive program requires 63 credit hours taken over 16 months.