Aimed at more accomplished and specialized business-savvy professionals, the Eller College of Management will launch its new Eller Executive Master of Business Administration program in August, the first and only 14-month MBA curriculum in Arizona.

Most EMBA programs last upwards of 24 months, but Brent Chrite, an associate dean and MBA director in the Eller EMBA program, said Eller is capitalizing on its reputation as one of the nation's top-flight business schools to create a degree program specifically tailored for already senior-level managers and fast-track professionals.

Admission to the Eller EMBA is reserved for accomplished managers with 10+ years of experience and executive-sponsored, high-potential professionals.

That's why Chrite said Eller is offering the shortened program to between 20 and 25 professionals who will be able to interact with peers who are just as accomplished as they are, which he said is the real value of the program.

"We're able to begin our curriculum at least two semesters later to meet our students at the level they're currently at," Chrite said. "This way, we're able to bring real and significant challenges directly connected to their own workplaces."

Ken Smith, interim dean of the Eller College of Management, said the start-from-scratch process allowed Eller faculty and staff to tailor a curriculum that closely aligns with the current business environment.

We're able to bring real and significant challenges directly connected to their own workplaces. – Brent Chrite, an associate dean and MBA director in the Eller MBA program

The EMBA will cost the professionals $40,000, the most expensive business program at the UA. Other such programs across the country will cost a student between $80,000 and $90,000 for a 24-month program.

"The cost of this program definitely passes the market test, and the value is worth it. We're well below the market norms," Chrite said. "It's an extraordinarily well priced program for the content you receive."

This is the UA's first year bringing in the EMBA program and Chrite said the program is designed to cater to the needs of the professional student's personal life including work, family and other responsibilities, in order to make time for their continuing education.

But the UA's MBA program is longer, more in-depth and caters to students that have recently graduated or are 26 to 28 years old, Chrite said.

According to a press release, after an initial five-day module, classes will meet only Friday and Saturday every other week at McClelland Hall, 1130 E. Helen St. It will include Friday-night accommodations at the Tucson Marriot University Park Hotel, 880 E. Second St.

The ten modules will consist of lessons in two to three subject areas, including accounting, finance, statistics, marketing, economics and strategy, lasting six to 11 weeks each.

"We're taking a highly integrated and accelerated approach to learning to create an environment unlike any programs nationwide, making it very unique for our students," Chrite said.

Professionals interested in the Eller EMBA can find more information, including module descriptions, online at www.ellermba.arizona.edu/executive. For details on applying, visit the Web site or call the program at 621-4008.