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Financial Times: Katz EMBA Worldwide #1 executive program in the Czech Republic and one of the top 25 in Europe

In the 2014 global EMBA rankings by the Financial Times, the Executive MBA Worldwide program of the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business jumped to No. 19 in the United States, up from No. 22 last year. Overall, the Katz EMBA Worldwide program moved up to No. 53 in the world, up from No. 57 last year. The Katz EMBA Worldwide program remained #1 EMBA program in the Czech Republic and one of the top 25 in Europe, ahead of European schools such as Antwerp Management School, Rotterdam School of Management (Erasmus) and Vienna University.

“The progress shown by the Katz EMBA Worldwide program in the rankings is a validation of our strong track record in helping graduates to reach new heights in their careers,” said John T. Delaney, dean of Pitt Business. “One of the primary reasons we offer this return on investment is the depth and richness of our global experience. Our students have the opportunity to thoroughly immerse themselves in the business culture of three different continents and to grow their network by working alongside a talented group of international peers.”

According to the Financial Times, graduates of the Katz EMBA Worldwide program saw their salary increase an average of 37 percent within three years of graduation, which is the highest increase among EMBA programs in Europe.

“We are very pleased by this year’s ranking results. They prove the outstanding return on investment of our program, a program taught entirely in English by U.S. faculty members flying to Prague to deliver each course. Our students who come from the Czech Republic and many other European countries get the same experience and the same degree as if they would study directly in the US, and a strong global network that opens many doors,” said Ivana Goossen, director for Katz’s EMBA Worldwide program in Europe.


Three continents, one school, one unique executive program

Established in 1972, the Katz EMBA Worldwide program is offered in three locations simultaneously — Pittsburgh, São Paulo, Brazil, and Prague, Czech Republic — where students learn as a single cohort, taught by Katz professors. The program offers Global Executive Forums in which students travel to each location to complete classroom modules, networking activities, and business immersion experiences.

In the 2014 Financial Times rankings, the top EMBA program in the world was the Trium Global EMBA, offered by New York University’s Stern School of Business, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the HEC School of Management Paris. In fact, each of the top five programs was offered jointly by more than one school.

The Katz EMBA Worldwide program, in contrast, offers the perspectives of three different continents without being a joint venture. In the Financial Times rankings, the Katz EMBA Worldwide program was ranked ahead of Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Temple University Fox School of Business and Management, Texas A&M University Mays Business School, Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business, and Boston University’s School of Management. Among U.S. public institutions, the Katz EMBA Worldwide program climbed to No. 6, up from No. 8 last year. Overall, the Katz EMBA Worldwide program moved up to No. 53 in the world, up from No. 57 last year.


The ranking methodology

The 2014 Financial Times rankings account for the world’s top 100 programs for senior-level working managers. In total, 134 programs from 32 countries took place in the ranking process, including 17 programs offered jointly by more than one school.

The Financial Times ranking methodology is based on 16 different factors, five of which relate to alumni, eight of which relate to the school, and three of which relate to faculty and research. The alumni data, for example, collects information on salary, salary increase, career progress, work experience, and aims achieved. Each institution must be accredited by either AACSCB International or the European Equis accreditation bodies to even be considered for the rankings.

In addition to the Financial Times ranking, the Katz EMBA Worldwide program was ranked No. 53 in The Economist’s 2013 global EMBA rankings. In the U.S., the program was ranked No. 32 among all universities and No. 13 among public universities.


Global experience in Prague

The Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business with the University of Pittsburgh is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. With an annual enrollment of over 35,000 students, the University is a key center of scientific research, offering more than 400 different study programs across 16 schools of study. The graduates and professors of the University of Pittsburgh include not only Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize laureates but also the first scientists to synthesize insulin and to develop a vaccine for polio.

The Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business is one of the most important schools of the University of Pittsburgh. It is led by world-renowned, broadly-cited professors. Katz’s EMBA Worldwide program in Prague, the highest rated program in the Czech Republic, offers management education for the whole CEE region and aims to prepare experienced managers for the role of global leaders. It has been continually recognized as one of the top 100 programs of its kind globally and is accredited by AACSB International, the internationally recognized gold standard of business school certification.