What is an Executive Development Program?

<p>An executive development program focuses on many aspects of leadership, business and management, including new technological developments. Programs vary in length, but typically range between 1 and 3 weeks. The program helps professionals develop new and enhance old skills in many areas of business, including strategy, finance and negotiations. The program also provides theory-based concepts and several courses that give students hands-on learning opportunities to practice their leadership and management skills. Specific skills or abilities that business professionals can acquire through an executive development program include: </p> <ul><li>Ability to function more adeptly in management roles by gaining additional confidence and knowledge </li><li>Ability to apply new concepts </li><li>Increase in leadership skills </li><li>Stronger communication skills </li><li>Ability to work with others, while assessing their skills and strengths </li><li>Ability to formulate more competitive business strategies </li><li>Skills in team building </li></ul><h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisAreaOfProfessionalEnrichment">Important Facts About This Area of Professional Enrichment</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Prerequisites</td><td> Management experience in any field, within a public or private company</td></tr> <tr><td>Certification</td><td> Available in areas such as leadership and business; typically requires completion of several programs through a single institution</td></tr> <tr><td>Online Availability</td><td> Some certificate programs available 100% online</td></tr> <tr><td>Possible Careers</td><td> General manager, chief operating officer, school superintendent, city manager</td></tr> <tr><td> Median Salary (2021)* </td><td> $179,520 (<i>for all chief executives</i>)</td></tr> <tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)*</td><td> 6% growth (<i>for all top executives</i>)</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---Curriculum">Curriculum</h3> <p>Although every program is different, they do have similarities, like the major topics and key focuses. Sample courses include: </p> <ul><li>Driving results </li><li>Leadership and management </li><li>Information technology </li><li>Implementing strategic change </li><li>Decision making </li><li>Business strategies </li><li>Marketing </li><li>Finance </li></ul><h3 id="section---ProfessionalsWhoCouldBenefitFromAnExecutiveDevelopmentProgram">Professionals Who Could Benefit from an Executive Development Program</h3> <p>The executive development program is designed for executives in management positions in any industry. Professionals can take the program to build their business and leadership skills and to stay on track with developing technologies and business strategies. Different executive development programs focus on different executives. For instance: </p> <ul><li>Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania: Any executives </li><li>Kellogg School of Management: Middle-management executives </li><li>The University of Chicago Booth School of Business: Middle-management executives </li><li>Harvard Business School: Senior executives</li></ul>