For working professionals who want to advance their careers without putting life on hold, Faulkner offers a fully online Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) program that blends flexibility, academic rigor and Christian values.
The program is designed to meet the needs of established business professionals who want to grow their leadership skills and prepare for upper-level positions while maintaining personal and professional responsibilities. Unlike a traditional MBA, which often focuses on foundational business concepts, an executive MBA emphasizes advanced strategies and leadership practices. It is tailored for students who are already immersed in their careers and ready to refine their skills. Because the courses are entirely online and offered on a part-time basis, students can complete the program without stepping away from their current roles.
Faulkner’s Executive MBA consists of 10 courses, each lasting five weeks. Students take one course at a time, allowing for deeper focus on each subject. With start dates every five weeks, students can begin the program at their convenience and finish in as little as one year if courses are taken consecutively. Classes combine traditional learning methods with integrated video segments to keep students engaged. Topics include modern management practices, finance, decision-making, marketing, quantitative reasoning, strategic thinking, corporate operations, international business, information systems and entrepreneurial practices.
True to Faulkner’s mission as a Christian university, the program integrates biblical principles into its curriculum. Students are encouraged to grow in intelligence, character and service, seeing their careers not only as professional pursuits but also as opportunities to serve others.
Patrick Smith, the director of the Executive MBA program, said his primary goal is to ensure students graduate with the most relevant, up-to-date skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. “This means continuously adapting the curriculum to reflect current industry trends, emerging technologies and evolving leadership practices, while also strengthening opportunities for practical application and real-world problem solving,” Smith said. “I want the program to be a place where experienced professionals not only deepen their knowledge but grow personally and spiritually into the leaders that the world desperately needs.”
Smith, who earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degree at Faulkner, has been a part of the university community since 2022 when he began serving as a graduate enrollment counselor.
“Whenever anyone asks me about my history with Faulkner, I always tell them, ‘I didn’t attend or work at Faulkner. Faulkner adopted me,’” Smith said. “My fellow students, the faculty and staff supported and loved me throughout my academic and professional journey. I never felt alone, and I knew that no matter what I was facing, the people around me were there for me.”
Graduates of the Executive MBA program often cite its balance of flexibility and practicality as a key advantage. The online format allows students to balance work, family and studies while eliminating the need for a commute. The accelerated structure means degrees can be earned in less time than traditional programs without sacrificing quality or support.
“The program’s design revolves around the balance of flexibility and practicability,” Smith said. “It emphasizes real-world applications that professionals can apply immediately to their current roles, creating value for themselves and their organizations. It equips students with the tools and knowledge to advance their careers and stay relevant in this fast-changing work environment.”
Smith added that Faulkner’s program is set apart by its unique integration of faith and ethics. “Our program does not focus solely on technical business skills,” he said. “Our MBA integrates ethical decision making and a faith-based perspective. We prepare students to become leaders that are not only effective but also principled and purpose driven. Our faculty are seasoned industry professionals who seek to actively support our students.”
For Smith, the value of the program goes beyond career advancement. “Earning your MBA at Faulkner University is an investment in your career, your future and yourself,” he said. “Our program is designed to fit into the lives of industry professionals, allowing you an opportunity to develop skills and knowledge you might not have thought possible.”
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