Harvard Changes Course

Bridging the Divide Between the Beach and Wall Street

Seth "Hoby" Darling left a powerful law firm to join a skate, snow and surfboard apparel company. Today, he's leading the company from the inside, rather than advising several at a time from a legal perspective.

• Video: Making Executives Out of Boarders

From Kellogg to Mexico's Tourism Secretary

Gloria Guevara had more than two decades in the travel industry under her belt when she pursued an E.M.B.A. degree. That experience--and her new knowledge--led to a job offer from Mexican president Felipe Calderon.

Earning an E.M.B.A. for Future Growth

For Ashley Kraska, getting an executive M.B.A. degree was all about raising the bar and gaining experience for future growth.

E.M.B.A. Students Juggle Careers, Family Life

Executive M.B.A. students are used to juggling the demands of high-octane careers and family life. But add in 20 to 30 hours a week of class work, and that balancing act can become overwhelming.

Relying on Classmates for Career Advice

Dan Hilton became executive director of the Conservative Party of Canada after spending years in the private sector, including his last stint as a chief financial officer.

The Best Executive M.B.A. Programs In 2008 Are...

The Wall Street Journal's first survey of executive M.B.A. programs measures which schools do the best job of turning up-and-coming managers into full-fledged leaders.

• Graphic: Compare programs based on your needs
• Chart: Sortable rankings table
• Q&As;: Favorite professors

Are They Worth It?

Corporations are increasingly satisfied with executive M.B.A. programs their managers are attending.

Help Wanted

A growing number of E.M.B.A. students are demanding that career offices provide detailed professional assessments and career-strategy workshops.

Six Degrees of E.M.B.A. Relationships

Students say the relationships they form lead to everything from business partnerships to marriage.

It's Intense at the Top

Advanced management programs offer elite executives high-end crash courses on crucial topics.

Think Big

Global executive M.B.A. offerings are growing in number, scope and popularity amid strong demand.

And Now, Something Completely Different

For executives going back to school, unconventional offerings round out programs -- and students.

• Podcast: Unorthodox teaching tactics

Just for You

Many business schools are offering custom programs that don't disrupt executives' work routines.

Traveling the Globe to Get to Class

Some students spend up to 18-hours just commuting to class. Why they do it.

Looking to Executive M.B.A.s to Help Grow a Business

Business owners look to executive M.B.A. programs for help improving their operations, profits and business models, a Wall Street Journal survey shows.