In today’s fast-paced world, understanding and leveraging technology is crucial. Organizations need leaders who can drive a cultural shift towards embracing technology.
The Executive MBA in Digital Transformation at the DeGroote School of Business provides the tools and knowledge to become an adaptive leader in a tech-driven world.
Over 14 months, you will gain:
Core EMBA Skills: Accounting and Finance, Statistics, Strategic Marketing, Marketing Analytics and Leadership
Strategic Decision-Making: Using data to develop insights, mitigate risk and drive innovation.
Our evolving curriculum features integrated cases based on current and emerging business and tech trends, ensuring you learn the most relevant and up-to-date information that you can apply in your leadership role.
Who You Are
You are a skilled professional aiming to excel in the digital age. You recognize the importance of digital transformation and its impact on your job and industry.
While employment isn’t required, most students keep their full-time jobs during the program. It’s designed to complement your current role, allowing you to study without interrupting your career. You can apply what you learn in real-time, maximizing your education.
The Curriculum
Our curriculum is continuously updated to reflect the latest business and technology trends, featuring custom, integrated cases.
With a class size that ranges from 16-25 participants, you’ll enjoy a personalized educational experience. This intimate setting encourages active participation, collaboration and meaningful connections with classmates, faculty and industry experts. You’ll have the chance to share ideas, learn from others and build a network that extends beyond the program, benefiting your career long-term.
The growth in volume, variety, and velocity of data, along with the emergence of new digitally driven innovations and technologies, present significant and unique opportunities and challenges for businesses. In Module 1 of our program, our primary goal is to provide you with a solid foundation in core management concepts, including accounting and finance, and teach you how to apply this knowledge. Through our curriculum, you will learn how to ask the right questions, improve your analytical skills and effectively communicate and translate insights into actionable strategies.
You will be introduced to foundational concepts in accounting and finance as well as the conceptual frameworks to guide critical and practical decisions in a digital context. The course will lead you through discussion and analysis of integrated materials, including financial statements, markets, value creation and destruction, and the nature of risk-management.
This course provides an overview of the art and science of extracting information from data. Beginning with the basic elements of data analysis, you will be exposed to real-world data and will work to harness the power of R for practical experience in the world of data modelling. Topics in this course will form the backbone of analytics used throughout the Executive MBA program.
Understanding the role that information systems have in an organization is key to supporting evidence-based management and operations. This course is designed to ensure you are equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions involving these systems and better understand their strategic and transformative role across various business functions. Using a variety of learning approaches, including case studies, workshops and a group consulting project, you will gain exposure first-hand to the opportunities and challenges facing businesses today.
This course introduces core principles of strategic marketing through experiential learning, ensuring that both newcomers to the field and seasoned marketers alike will gain fresh perspective and practical tools to apply in their work. Topics covered range from core marketing concepts through to analysis and decision-making skills, with the goal of ensuring you are better equipped to make data-driven, strategic decisions.
The Leadership Coaching program helps you gain insights into how your own leadership thinking styles and behavioral approaches may be either facilitating or impeding your leadership effectiveness in both your professional and personal lives. By taking part in a Transformative Learning Experience (TLE) embedded within the entire program, you will be given the opportunity to identify and make changes directed at helping you move closer to the leader you wish to be — something you will be asked to articulate up front in a personalized leadership vision statement.
Instructor: Teal McAteer
Entrepreneurship and Marketing Analytics
In today’s business landscape, firms are leveraging the potential of digitally driven innovations, technologies and Big Data/Data Analytics insights to create value and propel their growth.
In this module, we explore how these factors are reshaping the field of marketing and creating new avenues for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to launch new business ventures. Through case studies and real-world examples, you will learn from and work with established firms, founders, start-ups and industry professionals that are driving digital transformation and revolutionizing the industry.
Increasingly, large corporations are reaching into start-up communities to build their innovation strategies based on the principles of how early-stage innovation is designed and delivered. Meanwhile, start-ups are moving away from a focus on big, front-end product design processes by applying Lean Startup principles to rapidly iterate minimum viable products. This course will take you on a high-level journey, learning how to apply these principles and methodologies – in an experiential setting with start-up partners – to become the next generation of entrepreneurs.
A world once dominated by “madmen” now belongs to the “mathmen.” This course is designed around the science behind getting the right message to the right customer at the right time in the right channel. Covering topics including predictive analytics, data visualization, big data, machine learning and data mining, this course provides you with hands-on learning through site visits, case studies and projects. You will leave with the tools necessary not only to make informed, data-driven decisions, but will also be able to visualize and communicate them in an effective way.
This course provides evidence-based knowledge as the platform for aligning talent management policies and practices with an organization’s strategic priorities in a time when digital transformation is disrupting the way business and services are provided. You will cover core topics in talent management and talent analytics, gaining a big picture appreciation of current analytics practices and applications. You will walk away better equipped to “ask the right questions” of their talent management and data scientist teams and contribute to building an inspired, agile workforce.
The role, responsibilities, and attributes of leaders have changed when it comes to innovation within an organization, particularly in large “legacy” organizations. This course will equip you with the tools to assess and overcome organizational barriers to innovation, specifically when that innovation has the potential to disrupt established models, practices and norms. Candidates will be introduced to techniques like design thinking and its focus on user-centric insights and will be challenged to think critically about current leadership and innovation models.
The Leadership Coaching program helps you gain insights into how your own leadership thinking styles and behavioral approaches may be either facilitating or impeding your leadership effectiveness in both your professional and personal lives. By taking part in a Transformative Learning Experience (TLE) embedded within the entire program, you will be given the opportunity to identify and make changes directed at helping you move closer to the leader you wish to be — something you will be asked to articulate up front in a personalized leadership vision statement.
Under the guidance of the faculty instructor, supervisors and industry sponsors, you will work on a capstone project where you will apply program learnings in a consulting capacity at an external organization. You will gain tangible experiences and insights with the opportunities and challenges associated with the digital transformation of organizations. This will be accomplished by completing projects that are relevant and meaningful to the themes and topics of the program. You will gain an understanding of how emerging technologies can revolutionize the way decision makers formulate business, innovation and digital strategies. Students will also gain practical experience in leadership, teamwork and stakeholder management.
T710
Instructor: Dean Foerter
Thinking and Leading Beyond the Bytes
In this module, you will dive into the leadership challenges of fostering direction, alignment and commitment within a fast-paced technology partner ecosystem. Your critical “Big Data” mindset will be cultivated, to determine how and when to use data analytics to make informed talent management decisions. You will also apply other modes of inquiry, including Design Thinking, to encourage creative problem-solving and drive business innovation. As part of your Personal Effectiveness course, you will focus on practical communication skills and strategies.
This course questions and critiques the idea of “conventional” management thinking and evaluates the nature of the evidence on which managers base (or at least justify) their decisions. Topics covered include organizational culture and structure, leadership styles, cultural values and ultimately decision-making. You will be challenged to view organizations from a different perspective and learn how one can best manage, lead and develop the capacity to extrapolate meaning from experience.
Teams and organizations are reflections of their leaders, therefore understanding discretion and impact as a leader is a critical strategic asset. This course focuses on the characteristics and actions of leaders and the strategic processes through which they shape organizational change and performance. You will analyze case studies, undergo a leadership assessment and learn to craft and deliver a vision statement as part of a visionary leadership workshop.
The role, responsibilities and attributes of leaders have changed when it comes to innovation within an organization, particularly in large “legacy” organizations. This course will equip you with the tools to assess and overcome organizational barriers to innovation, specifically when that innovation has the potential to disrupt established models, practices and norms. Candidates will be introduced to techniques like design thinking and its focus on user-centric insights and will be challenged to think critically about current leadership and innovation models.
The Leadership Coaching program helps you gain insights into how your own leadership thinking styles and behavioral approaches may be either facilitating or impeding your leadership effectiveness in both your professional and personal lives. By taking part in a Transformative Learning Experience (TLE) embedded within the entire program, you will be given the opportunity to identify and make changes directed at helping you move closer to the leader you wish to be — something you will be asked to articulate up front in a personalized leadership vision statement.
Under the guidance of the faculty instructor, supervisors and industry sponsors, you will work on a capstone project where you will apply program learnings in a consulting capacity at an external organization. You will gain tangible experiences and insights with the opportunities and challenges associated with the digital transformation of organizations. This will be accomplished by completing projects that are relevant and meaningful to the themes and topics of the program. You will gain an understanding of how emerging technologies can revolutionize the way decision makers formulate business, innovation and digital strategies. You will also gain practical experience in leadership, teamwork and stakeholder management.
T710
Instructor: Dean Foerter
Value Disruption in the Digital Age
In this integrative module, you will synthesize concepts and content from previous modules and the program’s digital transformation themes. You will be equipped with the strategic knowledge and tools necessary to leverage your firm’s dynamic capabilities and partner ecosystem to create value. Faculty use industry cases to illustrate how businesses have both succeeded and failed in leveraging digitally driven innovations, technologies, and insights.
This course will highlight timely and relevant topics in digital transformation. You will critically analyze innovation trends to adapt your organization’s strategy and decision-making activities to a constantly changing digital environment. Additionally, the team projects will culminate in a Capstone report and presentation, allowing you to apply what you have learned to a real digital transformation issue in a team context, providing tangible value to your organization.
The Integrative Capstone Project culminates in this module, where you apply program learnings in a consulting capacity at an external organization. You will complete projects that are relevant and meaningful to the themes and topics of the program and gain an understanding of how emerging technologies can revolutionize the way decision makers formulate business, innovation and digital strategies. Capstone partner organizations include SickKids, Rogers, Canada Soccer, CIBC and many more.
This course will enhance your capacity as an executive digital strategist, and will provide the knowledge and tools necessary for the development of a clear digital vision, and a cogent understanding of how an organization creates value for existing and potential customers. Focusing specifically on organizations in technology-intensive industries, you will strengthen their ability to make strategic decisions and learn how to gain a competitive advantage by leveraging both digital and human assets.
Understanding the valuation of intangible assets is a key financial component of digital organizations. You will explore the strategic assumptions, theoretical underpinnings and the practical applications of contemporary valuation theory, with the goal of evaluating company’s strategic position and its ability to adjust to new conditions.
Changing from year to year based on recent trends and Executive MBA student preferences, this course will introduce students to emerging issues drawn developing digital challenges and opportunities. You will be prepared to adapt their organization’s strategy and decision-making activities to a continuously changing environment. Past topics have included: Artificial Intelligence, Electric Vehicles and Blockchain.
The Leadership Coaching program helps you gain insights into how your own leadership thinking styles and behavioral approaches may be either facilitating or impeding your leadership effectiveness in both your professional and personal lives. By taking part in a Transformative Learning Experience (TLE) embedded within the entire program, you will be given the opportunity to identify and make changes directed at helping you move closer to the leader you wish to be — something you will be asked to articulate up front in a personalized leadership vision statement.
Under the guidance of the faculty instructor, supervisors and industry sponsors, you will work on a capstone project where you will apply program learnings in a consulting capacity at an external organization. You will gain tangible experiences and insights with the opportunities and challenges associated with the digital transformation of organizations. This will be accomplished by completing projects that are relevant and meaningful to the themes and topics of the program. You will gain an understanding of how emerging technologies can revolutionize the way decision makers formulate business, innovation and digital strategies. You will also gain practical experience in leadership, teamwork and stakeholder management.
T710
Instructor: Dean Foerter
The Fine Print
Here is what you need to know to help you make your decision about DeGroote’s EMBA program:
The program duration is 14 months
Begins virtually every July and is built around four in-person residencies (one per module)
In-person residencies take place in September, February, May and September (of the following year). Residencies are 8 to 12 consecutive days in length
55% of the program is delivered in class at our Ron Joyce Centre campus in Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Online work in between residencies is approximately 25-30 hours per week
Students will have full-time student status for each academic semester
Graduates earn a Master’s degree
International students should apply for and be in possession of a valid study permit to participate in the in-Canada portions of the program
Next Steps
Interested in learning more about the EMBA program? Subscribe to our mailing list to receive the latest updates. If you’re ready to find out if you are a good candidate, submit your experience to be reviewed.
