Empowering Industry Leaders. Expanding Possibilities.
Hybrid
Online plus 3 weeks in-person
Two weeks in Oklahoma City
One week in Milan or D.C.
Spring: Nov. 1
Fall: May 1
The University of Oklahoma’s Executive MBA in Aerospace and Defense is one of only two programs of its kind in the nation, designed exclusively for professionals in the A&D sector, including government, military, and industry.
Whether you're an engineer, officer, analyst, or executive, this program equips you with the strategic, financial, and leadership skills to thrive in a mission-critical environment. Taught by seasoned faculty and industry experts, the curriculum bridges business acumen with real-world application—no prior business degree required.
MBA programs at the University of Oklahoma are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
AACSB accreditation is a globally recognized standard of excellence in business education. It reflects our commitment to high-quality instruction, innovative curriculum, continuous improvement, and impactful student outcomes.
12 months
16
36
*All data provided are approximate and based on 2024 sources.
Our Executive MBA in Aerospace and Defense program comes with exclusive benefits designed to make your learning experience seamless and impactful. From essential course materials delivered to your door to professional certifications and fully covered residency accommodations, we provide the resources you need to focus on advancing your career.
Books + course materials sent right to your front door
Lean Six Sigma White Belt
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Classroom hours required to take PMP exam
Accommodations during all Residency Weeks (hotel + food)
As a student in the Executive MBA in Aerospace and Defense program, you’ll gain access to high-level professional development resources typically reserved for senior executives at major corporations. Our program delivers an exceptional advantage: personalized executive career coaching designed to elevate both your individual growth and your organization’s success.
Through a dynamic combination of group facilitation, one-on-one coaching sessions, and interactive workshops, you’ll gain clarity, direction, and purpose to confidently navigate your most pressing professional challenges and beyond. In partnership with Performance Consulting, LLC, the EMBA experience includes an accelerated version of their premier Executive Coaching services, seamlessly integrated to complement our rigorous curriculum and maximize your impact from day one.
The Executive MBA in Aerospace & Defense is a 32-credit hour program designed for full-time professionals seeking to elevate their leadership in government, military, or industry roles. Delivered in a flexible hybrid format, the curriculum combines online learning with three in-person residency weeks for hands-on collaboration and executive-level engagement.
Participants in Aerospace-Defense will complete the program of study in a single year while continuing to work, which will enable them to acquire a broad base of Aerospace-Defense business knowledge and a deep understanding of the industry. The average time commitment is about 20 hours per week for readings and assignments.
This program is eligible for the GI Bill®. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site.
Our 32-hour Executive MBA in Aerospace & Defense curriculum is structured to allow for flexibility, so it can be tailored to the needs of those seeking the degree while still meeting the needs of their employers. The general sequence of courses will draw from core courses and a wide variety of electives to teach students financial management, critical thinking, strategy development, and innovation in a dynamic, industry-specific environment. The courses will be focused on applying business and leadership principles to the Aerospace & Defense industry and could result in additional professional qualifications such as Lean Six Sigma and Project Management certification.
The program is completed in a year, with students starting in Fall or Spring, thereby allowing them a flexible format to bring together the skills, concepts, and knowledge needed to succeed in the dynamic Aerospace and Defense sector. Through faculty and guest lectures, rigorous coursework and applied projects, the EMBA will provide the foundations for a career of leadership roles in the A&D industry.
Online distance-learning sessions are held live on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. Central Time. Each course is worth 2 credit hours and runs for eight weeks. A typical semester includes two of these online modules, each lasting 7–8 weeks.
During online modules, the entire class meets virtually in real time, engaging in discussions much like the in-person sessions. Classes often feature guest speakers, and students regularly interact with faculty and peers between sessions to collaborate on assignments and projects.
All sessions are recorded and available for playback, allowing participants to revisit lectures and discussions at their convenience, as often as needed to master the material.
Approximately 40 percent of the program’s instruction takes place during three immersive, weeklong in-person sessions. Two of these sessions are held in Oklahoma City and last seven days each, while the third is a global study experience lasting 7–10 days, depending on travel requirements. This global week offers participants a unique opportunity to engage directly with aerospace and defense organizations in international or out-of-state locations.
During each in-person session, participants attend classes, meet with faculty advisors and leadership development coaches, and collaborate on team-based projects with their peers. Each session concludes with synthesis presentations, where students apply what they’ve learned so far to a focused case study demonstrating both their understanding and strategic thinking.
The remaining 20 credit hours of the program are completed through two-credit online courses held between the in-person sessions, offering a flexible structure that supports working professionals while maintaining momentum and continuity in learning.
The program is designed to offer the opportunity for experiential learning that enable and encourage students and executives to work side-by-side in solving real-world problems.
As part of the Executive MBA in Aerospace & Defense, students participate in a global study experience that brings classroom concepts to life. Taking place midway through the program, this immersive international residency allows students to engage directly with leading aerospace and defense organizations in strategically selected global locations.
Throughout the week, participants visit companies and institutions recognized for their depth and diversity in A&D operations. These visits provide hands-on opportunities to explore real-world challenges, cross-border collaboration, and global innovation trends shaping the future of the industry.
This global experience not only broadens students’ understanding of international business practices in aerospace and defense, it also builds powerful professional connections and deepens strategic insight across markets and cultures.
Students can follow the General EMBA track or choose the Space Track, which includes a Graduate Certificate in Commercial Space Applications, completed alongside the EMBA with no additional cost or coursework.
The commercial space sector is no longer the exclusive domain of government agencies. Private companies are now driving rapid innovation and investment in space applications. This momentum continues to accelerate, making space one of today’s fastest-growing industries.
Professionals with a strong grasp of the business landscape, funding opportunities, and strategic direction of the space economy are increasingly valuable to aerospace, defense, and commercial organizations alike.
This certificate is ideal for:
Business leaders and entrepreneurs entering the space economy
Aerospace and defense professionals expanding into commercial space
Government or industry personnel seeking to understand the evolving private-public space dynamic
We value a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives in our classroom, so we encourage applicants from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds to apply.
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. It is to your advantage to apply as early as you are ready. The admissions committee cannot predict the quality of future applications and is inclined to admit well-qualified applicants early in the process. In addition, early application ensures that you will receive a decision earlier. However, it is important not to rush your application. We encourage you to take the time necessary to submit a thoughtful, well-prepared application.
An application fee is not required for applicants of this program. While you do not need to submit all of your application requirements at once, your application will not be considered for admission until we have received all required parts of your application.
When applying please choose "Executive MBA in Aerospace and Defense" as the program you wish to study.
There is a $1,500 enrollment deposit if you accept an admission offer.
Upload an unofficial copy of your transcript from your undergraduate degree-granting institution and other graduate degrees to the online application and request for an official transcript to be sent to OU.
Official Paper Transcripts can be sent to:
University of Oklahoma
Office of Graduate Admissions
731 Elm Avenue, Room 318
Norman, OK 73019
Official Electronic Transcripts can be sent to:
gradadm@ou.edu
Requests for transfer credit are reviewed upon acceptance to the program. Courses must be from an AACSB-accredited institution with an earned grade of B or higher, taken within the last five years, and approved by the MBA department.
There are no prerequisites for the this program. The program begins with core coursework designed to build a strong academic and professional foundation.
The OU EMBA in Aerospace & Defense program gave me invaluable access to world-class faculty and a unique network of professionals who truly understand the challenges of our industry. The passion and dedication of the program staff and all the professors left a lasting impression on me both personally and professionally.” ".
– Chris Rogers, Class of 2021
With roles spanning global markets, OU EMBA in Aerospace & Degense graduates are making a mark across the industry. From the boardroom to strategic operations and beyond, our graduates are leading the way.
Boeing
Lockheed Martin
Northrup Grumman
RTX
FAA
Our students have direct access to real-world mentorship to complement their academic and experiential learning opportunities. They're instructed by Price College's world-class faculty and excel with the additional support of OKC’s business leadership.
Whether you prefer the structure of in-person classes, the convenience of online learning, or a hybrid approach that blends both, OU’s MBA programs are built to fit your lifestyle. Connect with professors and peers while building the skills to advance your career. Designed with working professionals in mind, our programs offer the support, adaptability, and the academic excellence you need to thrive.
