Wharton | San Francisco FAQ
- Background
- General Course Offerings/Logistics
- Wharton MBA Program for Executives
- Executive Education
Background
Q: What kind of presence has Wharton already had on the West Coast?
A: Wharton opened a San Francisco-based office in 1996 to conduct a variety of activities, including corporate outreach, interviews with potential students, and building a stronger alumni network. There are more than 12,000 alumni living and working throughout the region.
Q: Why did Wharton choose to invest in a program on the West Coast vs. Europe, Asia, or some other part of the world?
A: Establishing a strong presence in what is the center of new technology-based businesses, as well as new technology-based business initiatives in established companies, is part of Wharton's overall global strategy. This is an opportunity to have an immediate impact on the quality of all of Wharton's programs and service to the worldwide business community. Wharton has also established a strategic Alliance with INSEAD, a leading management education institution with campuses in France and Singapore. This alliance opens new opportunities for the co-development and delivery of management education in Europe and Asia.
Q: Why did Wharton choose to locate in San Francisco vs. a Silicon Valley location or other West Coast location?
A: Various sites were considered. San Francisco was ultimately chosen due to its overall reputation as a top travel destination and available facilities that met the needs of our programs, such as classroom and office space to support our residential program.
Q: What role have alumni played in this initiative?
A: Many of our alumni in the region have been very instrumental throughout the process, and will continue to be more involved in the future.
General Course Offerings/Logistics
Q: What is the difference between the Wharton MBA Program for Executives (MBA Exec) and other Executive Education programs at Wharton | San Francisco?
A: MBA Exec is the school's 2-year weekend MBA degree program, designed for working executives. It is part of Wharton's Graduate Division, which includes both the traditional and executive MBA programs. The Wharton Executive Education Division offers short, non-degree programs for middle- and senior-level executives.
Q: What faculty teach at Wharton | San Francisco?
A: Wharton faculty travel to San Francisco to meet face-to-face with MBA Exec students and executive education participants. In addition, some industry experts and guest speakers are drawn from the region. Wharton | San Francisco programs also take advantage of the center's Internet2 connection to Wharton's main campus to enable additional Wharton faculty to take part in specific sessions and discussions through videoconferencing.
Q: Where do participants stay when attending programs at Wharton | San Francisco?
A: All MBA Exec students stay at Le Meridien San Francisco during MBA Exec sessions. Le Meridien is located at 333 Battery Street in San Francisco, a short walk from the Wharton | San Francisco center. Executive education participants also take advantage of nearby hotel accommodations during their program sessions.
Wharton MBA Program for Executives (MBA Exec)
Q: Is the MBA Exec program offered through Wharton | San Francisco the same as that offered on the East Coast? Are the same faculty teaching on the West Coast as in main campus programs?
A: Yes, the program and faculty are the same. Applicants are evaluated based on the same high professional and academic standards, and admitted students are required to complete the same rigorous course of studies as all Wharton MBA students. Wharton faculty commute to teach in California, and there is a full administrative staff onsite.
Q: Is the acceptance criteria the same? Do students have to apply separately to Wharton | San Francisco and Philadelphia?
A: Acceptance criteria are the same for all MBA Exec applicants. All prospective students apply to the Wharton MBA Program for Executives and are considered using the same selection process. Whether successful applicants attend the program in Philadelphia or San Francisco is determined depending on each student's preference.
Q: Where do MBA Exec students come from to attend the West Coast class?
A: Most students come from the Western half of the U.S., from Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix, and Austin, through Seattle, San Jose, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. Several students have also come to the program from Asia and Latin America as well.
Q: Can I enroll in individual MBA Exec courses?
A: MBA Exec courses are limited to students who have been admitted to the full 2-year degree program. Wharton's non-credit Executive Education programs are open to experienced professionals who are interested in furthering their management education and development.
Q: Since I live in the area, can I spend my Friday nights at home rather than at the Center?
A: When you join the MBA Exec program, you agree to "immerse" yourself in the School environment for 2 days every other week. Our students confirm our view that MBA Execs learn nearly as much from each other as they learn during formal class hours. Much of this interaction takes place on Friday evenings when the study groups get together to master course material. This time commitment also allows our students to form personal and professional bonds which last long after graduation. See more frequently asked questions about Wharton MBA Program for Executives.
Executive Education
Q: What is the difference between "open-enrollment" and "custom" programs?
A: There are two types of Executive Education programs at Wharton. Open-enrollment executive programs draw together participants from across multiple companies and industries. Custom programs are designed specifically for individual organizations. Both types of programs are hosted at the Wharton | San Francisco site.
Q: What kinds of open-enrollment programs are offered at Wharton | San Francisco?
A: Wharton Executive Education offers a selection of short (typically 3-day to 5-day) non-degree executive programs in marketing, management, finance, and leadership. These programs, targeted to middle and senior executives, draw participants from a wide range of industries to share insights and perspectives with Wharton faculty and each other.
Q: Are multi-week senior management programs like the Advanced Management Program offered in San Francisco?
A: There are no current plans to offer Wharton's five-week Advanced Management Program or 2-week Executive Development Program at Wharton | San Francisco. Because of the extended and intensive nature of these programs, participants work very closely with each other and a wide variety of Wharton faculty. Therefore, basing this type of program on campus at Wharton's Steinberg Conference Center provides many additional benefits. The Wharton Fellows Program, a senior management program that takes place in multiple locations over the course of three months, takes advantage of the Wharton | San Francisco center for activities based in the San Francisco area.
Q: How do I enroll in Executive Education programs at Wharton | San Francisco? Is there any difference in the registration procedure?
A: Open enrollment program registrations are handled through the same process as our Philadelphia-based programs. You may enroll online or by mail or fax.
Q: Can I earn college credits by taking Executive Education programs at Wharton | San Francisco?
A: Wharton Executive Education programs are considered continuing education and, as such, do not offer college credits. Instead they offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs). We have had participants in the past who have obtained college credit for their participation in our programs. That credit is offered solely at the discretion of the reciprocating school, however.
