Rensselaer Hartford - Elite Master's Program

Rensselaer at Hartford's Elite Master's Program (EMP) is designed to provide highly motivated executives with an opportunity to expand and intensify their understanding of the business world. The EMP is an intensive ten-month cohort program that educates business leaders to think strategically, make sound decisions, and lead change in a global environment.

The EMP has been offered by Rensselaer at Hartford for nearly 28 years. More than 400 individuals have completed this accelerated 30-credit program and have earned a Master of Science in Management degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. EMP students have represented more than 100 different organizations in business sectors including manufacturing, financial services, communications, technology, health care, government, and nonprofit entities.

An Integrated Learning Experience
The EMP curriculum blends courses in the fundamental principles of economics, quantitative analysis, finance, organizational behavior, and management with technology. This approach provides an integrated learning experience and helps EMP participants gain expertise in managing complex enterprises. The program content is taught by teams of faculty who have significant instructional and business experience.

EMP participants move through the program as a unified group, which enables them to network and form long-lasting relationships with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and industries. They also collaborate on course projects and assignments and study working examples of effective teams. Since teamwork is an essential component of high-performance organizations, EMP graduates frequently cite this collaborative approach to education as one of the most valuable features of the program, noting that it provides critical value in the workplace. Collaboration and the application of knowledge to real-world business challenges are EMP hallmarks.

The Competitive Advantage
The EMP is presented by senior faculty who are committed to bringing their significant global business and academic experiences together for the benefit of each EMP cohort. Coupled with the diverse experience and backgrounds of the participants, they provide a rich environment for the exchange of ideas and best management practices that challenge all of the participants to ponder ways in which to improve themselves and their workplaces; to make a difference; and to lead in a strategic and ethically informed way. At a time when the ability to learn and quickly establish new capabilities has never been more important, Rensselaer’s EMP encourages the participants to create, execute, and assess sound business strategies and improve performance.

The Curriculum Schedule
EMP classes meet on alternating Fridays and Saturdays over ten months.

Corporate Support Ensures the EMP's Success
In today's global marketplace, companies face the critical challenges of maintaining their competitiveness and performing to the satisfaction of shareholders while also balancing the need to take risks. Leading an organization with such ambitious goals requires an entirely new set of skills that combines both management and technological savvy. Companies that recognize the value of this kind of education and the importance of lifelong learning sponsor participants in the EMP.

Since the program's inception, more than 100 companies have sponsored participants in the EMP and have reaped the benefits of these highly skilled graduates. The investment of the student and his/her employer is shared; corporate sponsorship is an integral part of the EMP experience.

Student Profile
Participants in the EMP are demonstrated achievers. EMP candidates must have at least six years of management experience and a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. EMP participants are selected based on three criteria: (1) Professional Experience, (2) Academic Achievement, and (3) Motivation and Ability.

Group Forming
Applications are currently being accepted for the EMP Class XXVIII, Fall 2007. Space will be limited, therefore those seeking consideration should inquire as soon as possible. A downloadable application PDF is available by clicking HERE.

The Lally School of Management and Technology
The EMP is associated with Rensselaer’s Lally School of Management and Technology, which focuses on the intersection of management and technology, and is built on the conviction that the effective use of technology can enhance competitiveness. The mission of the Lally School is to develop technically sophisticated business leaders who are prepared to guide their organizations in the integration of technology for new products, new businesses, and new systems.

Rensselaer's Lally School of Management and Technology is an accredited member of AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International).

Contact Information
To learn more about the EMP, please contact Kristin Galligan at (860) 548-7881; toll-free at (800) 433-4723, ext. 7881; or e-mail: laritk@rpi.edu

You can also attend and upcoming Elite Master's Program Briefing, click HERE for a schedule of luncheon and afternoon sessions.

EMP Alumni Testimonials

"Success today is often associated with being a solutions provider. The EMP, with its diverse curriculum, cultivates the development and application of critical thinking skills essential for finding solutions. Providing a team environment encourages the sharing of experiences and knowledge between professionals, making the experience both unique and rewarding."

Bettyann Lemire
Class XXII
Manager, Contracts and Business Management,
Engineering Control Systems Hamilton Sundstrand

"My EMP experience centered on learning how to better focus on the business implications of my day-to-day technical decisions. My business focus as a technical specialist was broadened considerably by not only the wide scope of the course material but also the ongoing exchange of ideas and perspectives with my team members as well as my classmates. There is a lot in this program to make you a more well-rounded performer regardless of your profession or discipline."

Jeff Lancaster
Class XIX
Fellow - Pratt & Whitney Engineering

"The EMP is more then 'just getting a degree.' It is an intense, challenging program that teaches global business principles while motivating the students to be innovative and to work as a team. The global concept was enhanced by a trip to Munich, Germany where we worked with students at a local university and visited several factories. The team building experience was great. I am still amazed how effective other members of my team were at building and managing a team to handle the intense requirements of the programs. It is just one example of how I learned from and utilized the experience of peers to enhance the learning experience."

Todd Rich
Class XXIII
Slot Data System Coordinator, Slot Operations
Foxwoods Resort Casino

"The EMP education experience is distinctive because it fosters an environment for strategic thinking, constructive dialogue, and the sharing of information among team members. The curriculum educates and challenges the students to find business solutions…exactly what's required in today's top companies."

Sheila Morton
Class XXII
Director of Operations, Employee Relations
Hartford Financial Services, The Hartford