Professional Women & the Executive M.B.A.

Professional women typically make up 30% of the class at top MBA programs, and 40% in part-time programs. But it’s a different story when it comes to executive MBA programs.

EMBA programs usually require a nearly two-year commitment of two long weekends on campus. For these programs, women make up less than 20%, and as low as 5% at some programs! The problems are three-fold: EMBA programs interfere with raising a family, women have a tougher time securing company sponsorship for the costly degree, and women often believe the degree won’t help them break through the glass ceiling.

Now, some leading business schools are reaching out to professional women by offering courses specifically for them. This week (Jan. 21), the Wall Street Journal this week identified six such programs:

– Executive Program for Women Leaders. A five-day program launched in 2008 by Stanford University (www.gsb.stanford.edu). Cost: $9,200.

– Moving From Managing to Leading: The Women’s Program at Babson College. A five-day program for women who are ready to transition into leadership roles or who are looking for added responsibility within their company. Cost: 5,9950. Babson (www.babson.edu) is located in Wellesley MA.

– Women’s Director Development Program. Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management (www.kellogg.northwestern.edu) has one of the few programs in the country preparing women who want to serve on boards of directors. A 2 1/2-day program; cost $5,500.

– Strategic Leadership for Women. Launched more than six years ago by Switzerland’s IMD (www.IMD.ch), the first European business school to offer an executive program for women. A four-day program; cost $8,972.

– Global Leaders Program for Women. Sponsored by the Smith/Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business (www.tuck.dartmouth.edu). The New Hampshire-based program provides an international perspective for women seeking to move up the corporate ladder. Cost: $8,200.

– A New Path. Taught by Harvard Business School faculty, the program provides career-development help for senior professional women who are rethinking their careers or who are eager to return to the workplace. A week-long program; cost, $5,000. For details, go to www.exed.hbs.edu.