In between residencies, distance learning keeps you connected to the Darden community and engaged in the academic experience.

What does distance learning include?

Approximately one-third of the Darden Executive MBA core curriculum is delivered via distance learning in the following ways:

Online Classes

Like every aspect of the EMBA program, your online classes are high-engagement experiences. The Adobe Connect technology used in the program allows you to interact with your faculty and fellow classmates by sharing screens, writing in comments and questions in real time, and participating in the discussion by conference call. Because of the ease with which the interface allows you to share and analyze content and spreadsheets as a group, your professors often use online classes to focus on technical issues, allowing for a richer discussion when your class meets together on Grounds.

Recordings of online classes are also available for students who are not able to attend the live class sessions. Typically, online classes are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings (e.g. 7:30 - 9 p.m.).

Virtual Group Meetings

Prior to having an online class with the faculty or submitting group course deliverables, you will meet virtually with your learning team to prepare the case, share perspectives and resolve questions. You and your learning teammates will determine when and how often you meet to prepare, but on average teams meet twice a week. The same software used for online classes is available at any time for group work and allows you to share documents and edit collaboratively.

Exams 

Approximately a week after the last on-Grounds residency for a term, exams are posted to the Darden portal. You can download the course exam and take them anytime during the prescribed exam period.

Distancing Learning Video

Learn more by watching the following video of Professor Paul Simko who describes distance learning in Darden's executive-format MBA programs: