1. WHAT IS THE GeM PROGRAM?
2. Which International Universities are MEMBERS OF THE GeM CONSORTIUM?
3. WHICH UNIVERSITIES ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE GeM CLASS OF 2003?
4. What type of degree will be awarded?
5. IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MBA AND EMBA PROGRAMS?
6. WHEN DID THE GeM PROGRAM BEGIN?
7. WHEN WILL THE NEXT CLASS START?
8. what are the REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY?
9. ARE THERE ANY ACADEMIC PREREQUISITES?
10. What is the COST OF THE GeM program?
11. IS COMPANY SPONSORSHIP REQUIRED?
12. ARE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE?
13. How long does THE PROGRAM take to complete?
14. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF INTERNATIONAL SEMINARS?
15. How is the curriculum structured?
16. When and where are the international seminars FOR THE NEXT CLASS?
17. Is the Size of the Class Limited?
18. How is the Selection of Students Determined?
19. DO I Have tp Take the GMAT Exam?
20. WHERE CAN I OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ON THE GMAT?
21. When AND WHERE DO GeM classes take place?
22. Will I have to attend all classes or is using the Internet an option?
23. IS THE PROGRAM ACCREDITED?
24. How do I apply?
25. WHEN IS THE ORIENTATION SESSION FOR NEW STUDENTS?
26. IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE GeM CLASS OF 2003 AVAILABLE?
27. CAN ANY OTHER CLASSES I’VE TAKEN COUNT FOR CREDIT IN THE GeM PROGRAM?
28. WILL THERE BE INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR THE GEM EMBA CLASS OF 2003?
29. Who can I contact for additional information?

WHAT IS THE GeM PROGRAM?

The Global eManagement (GeM) Executive MBA program at Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business is an international degree program for experienced career managers, policymakers and entrepreneurs. The GeM program was developed by the GeM consortium, an international network of leading business schools around the world who jointly develop and evolve a common curriculum for executive management at the master's-degree level. The global character of the program is ensured through the cooperation of these universities, all experienced in research and education for management in the digital economy. As such, this EMBA program places a greater emphasis on two significant management trends: the impact of technology on the definition and management of organizations (leveraging digital assets) and the increasing need to work effectively across cultures (global functioning).

Which international universities are MEMBERS OF THE GeM CONSORTIUM?
The six founding members of the consortium include:

·        Athens University of Economics and Business, Athens, Greece

·        Copenhagen Business School, Copenhagen, Denmark

·        Erasmus University, Rotterdam School of Business/Faculty of Business,             

               Rotterdam, The Netherlands

·        Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

·        Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration, Bergen, Norway

·        University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Additional university members who have joined the consortium since its founding are:

·           ESADE, Barcelona, Spain

·         EGADE (TEC), Monterrey, Mexico

·         University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA

·         Reykjavik University School of Business, Reykjavik, Iceland

With more universities participating in the GeM program and the need to maintain a low number of students attending international seminars, each GeM university is linked with other universities into groups called ”rings.” Each ring has its own curricular calendar and its own set of international seminars. However, curriculum development and enhancement are shared across all participating universities.

WHICH UNIVERSITIES ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE GeM CLASS OF 2003?

There are seven universities who expect to participate in the Class of 2003. Finalized approvals will be reached this May. The universities include:

·        Erasmus University, Rotterdam School of Business/Faculty of Business,            

           Rotterdam, The Netherlands

·        Copenhagen Business School, Copenhagen, Denmark

·        Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

·        EGADE (TEC), Monterrey, Mexico

·        Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration, Bergen, Norway

·        University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

·        ESADE, Barcelona, Spain

What type of degree will be awarded?
Each individual participating university awards its own degree to its students. At Georgia State, students will receive a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) degree. In addition, the GeM consortium of universities will award a certificate of completion of the program at the third international seminar, with the imprimatur of each participating school.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MBA AND EMBA PROGRAMS?

Students who graduate from the GeM program at Georgia State’s Robinson College of Business will receive an MBA degree. However, the program is classified as an Executive MBA (EMBA) program. An EMBA program simply signifies that classes are held in an “executive” format primarily on weekends to allow busy professionals the opportunity to earn an MBA degree while continuing their careers. It also denotes the learning approach employed in the classroom -- greater use is made of the knowledge of the students in the classroom, through facilitated discussions, presentations, and general discourse.

WHEN DID THE GeM PROGRAM BEGIN?
The Inaugural Class of the GeM program launched the fall semester of 2000. Its students graduated in December 2001. Since then two additional classes worldwide began in the spring and fall of 2001. The GeM Class of 2003 will be the third class at Georgia State and the fourth of the consortium.

WHEN WILL THE NEXT CLASS START?

The GeM Class of 2003 will begin August 7-10, 2002, with a residency orientation session, followed by the start of classes August 24, 2002.

what are the REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY?
The GeM program is designed for experienced professionals from all industry sectors with the following requirements necessary for application:

• Solid undergraduate grade point average (GPA) 

• Minimum four years of full-time professional experience and at least two years of management experience

• GMAT exam results

• TOEFL exam results (may be required for some international students)

• High motivation to succeed in the global digital economy

• Time commitment (approximately 25 hours per week plus class time)

ARE THERE ANY ACADEMIC PREREQUISITES?
The GeM program is lock step in nature, meaning all courses are taken in a predetermined sequence in concert with all other participating universities. While there are no specific courses necessary in advance to participate in the program, certain background knowledge is assumed, including knowledge regarding basic computer applications (similar to all Robinson College MBA students). An undergraduate degree is generally required; limited exceptions may be made based on relevant professional experience.

What is the COST OF THE GeM program?
The total cost of the program for Georgia residents is $45,500.*

The fee schedule is:

Non-refundable deposit upon acceptance $     500

Fall 2002                                               $15,000

Spring 2003                                           $15,000

Fall 2003                                               $15,000

(For individuals who do not qualify for in-state residence, there may be an additional tuition amount assessed. Applicant residency status can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.)

* Program fees include tuition for all GeM courses; all required books, materials and software; meals and coffee breaks during all scheduled class days; all costs for a four-day off-campus orientation; single-occupancy hotel rooms and most meals for three international seminars during the program (each seminar is approximately one week in length) – students will be responsible for their own airfare.

IS COMPANY SPONSORSHIP REQUIRED?
No. Approximately half of the students in GeM EMBA program to date are self-funded while the remainder are sponsored in full or part by their companies or organizations. In all cases we ask that the student's organization to be cognizant of the person taking this program and support his/her efforts to do so.

ARE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE?

At present there are no GeM EMBA scholarships available. However, traditional student loans are available for the GeM program through the Georgia State University Office of Financial Aid. For information on how to apply for financial assistance, please call 404.651.2227 or go to Financial Aid at 102 Sparks Hall on the main campus. Also see www.gsu.edu/~wwwfia/index.html for further details.

How long does THE PROGRAM take to complete?
The GeM program follows a minimester system utilizing courses with a duration of six weeks plus an examination week. A minimester is basically half a semester in length. The classroom portion of the program is six minimesters in length. Overall, the program requires approximately 17 months to complete start to finish -- from orientation through to the Georgia State University graduation ceremony. Each course will involve approximately 24 contact hours of class time. In addition to the six course minimesters in the program, there are also three one-week international seminars and a period for completion of the student's project.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF INTERNATIONAL SEMINARS?

The first of three international seminars brings all of the GEM students together from the participating schools to learn about global business practices as well as forming and working within a globally diverse team. During this first one-week seminar, students will be formed into global teams that will then work together over the duration of the program on two assigned global team projects. Team building, conflict resolution, effective communication (face-to-face and virtual), cultural awareness, creativity and leadership will be introduced. Students will be exposed to online collaborative teaming software used in the program. An introductory global perspective on e-management will be made by subject experts in the field of e-business.

In the second and third international seminars, students will observe global business concepts and practices, further develop executive skills and continue work on global team projects. During the second seminar students discuss their first global team exercise and are introduced to their second project. In addition, students will visit or be visited by executives of companies in the region and take part in executive roundtable meetings. During the third and final one-week seminar, global teams complete their second global team exercise and present their projects, take part in a policy seminar and hear from experts in the field of e-management.

How is the curriculum structured?
The program will consists of three streams of curriculum structure and content:
·        Technology (15%)
·        Business  (70%)
·        Policy and Law (15%)
(In addition, each school selects three school-specific electives over the course of the program to capitalize on local expertise and/or to more readily comply with local policy and accreditation issues.) See the course descriptions link for additional information.

When and where are the international seminars FOR THE NEXT CLASS?
The first international seminar for the GeM Class of 2003 is planned for October 13-18, 2002, in Copenhagen, Denmark; the second is expected to be in Cologne, Germany, May 4-8, 2003; and the third (final) seminar is anticipated to be held in Monterrey, Mexico, November 10-14, 2003.

Is the Size of the Class limited?
Yes. The maximum total number of students to be accepted into the GeM EMBA program for the Class of 2003 (beginning fall semester of 2002) will be 30 students. Class sizes for the GeM program are kept intentionally smaller than those of other EMBA programs.

How is the selection of Students determined?
Due to high levels of interest in this competitive program and the small class size, applicantions for the GeM Class of 2003 will be evaluated as they arrive and admission decisions made shortly thereafter. There is a $100 non-refundable application fee for the GeM program. When an application is submitted for consideration there will be a review of prior academic achievement, relevance of prior work experience and an interview to determine the candidate’s suitability for a program of this type, as well as his/her motivation for undertaking the program. As the program will also demand a considerable amount of a candidate’s attention over the ensuing semesters, his/her ability to successfully contribute to and complete the program will also be assessed.

DO I HAVE TO TAKE THE GMAT EXAM?

In most cases, you will have to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), for final acceptance in the GeM program. Prospective students who submit completed applications and undergraduate transcripts will be the first to be called in for interviews and the first to be accepted to participate in the program if qualified, once GMAT scores are officially reported. Cases in which prospective students have previously received a master’s-level degree or traditional MBA from an accredited U.S. university will be reviewed on an individual basis to determine if the GMAT examination is appropriate. Please contact the GeM EMBA program via e-mail at geminfo@eci.gsu.edu for further details.

WHERE CAN I OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ON THE GMAT?

Learn more about the exam and how to prepare for it by using the Graduate Management Admission Council Web link – www.gmac.org.  We strongly encourage prospective GeM students to begin thIS process as soon as possible. Free GMAT preparation software will automatically be sent to those who register for the exam. For additional details on the GMAT, you can also call 1.800.GMAT-NOW.  In addition, the Robinson College of Business sponsors free GMAT prep classes for EMBA applicants. For further details, e-mail geminfo@eci.gsu.edu.

When AND WHERE DO GeM classes take place?
Classes are held on alternating Fridays and all day Saturdays at Georgia State University’s new Alpharetta Center campus.  The state-of-the-art GeM classroom in this recently opened facility was designed specifically to accommodate the needs of our students. The Alpharetta Center is located north of Atlanta – off Georgia 400 at Old Milton Parkway (Exit 11).

Will I have to attend all classes or is using the Internet an option?
The GeM EMBA is not an Internet/distance learning degree program. While there are various online aspects involved in the GeM program, classroom attendance is mandatory. All courses use an online learning management system. All groups use interactive technologies to work with both their local and global team members. Some courses may substitute in-class time for Internet-based discussions. Attendance is required, and students are expected to be present for all scheduled classes each minimester.

IS THE PROGRAM ACCREDITED?

The program is fully accredited by the European Foundation of Management Education (EFME) in Europe and the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in the U.S. It is also the only academic program to date to receive both EU and G7 approvals. The GeM Program is also a member of the Executive MBA Council, an international organization that fosters excellence and innovation in Executive MBA Programs in a globally competitive environment.

How do I apply?
GeM is the only academic program that is administered through the eCommerce Institute in the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State and is completely separate from any other MBA, EMBA or master’s-level programs. (For details on other programs, see the College’s Web site at www.robinson.gsu.edu.) There is a specific GeM application form that is provided by the GeM EMBA program in the eCommerce Institute. This form is not available through other departments. Application formss are available upon request and must be submitted by July 19, 2002.

WHEN IS THE ORIENTATION SESSION FOR NEW STUDENTS?

The GeM Class of 2003 will meet for four days with three overnights August 7-10, 2002, at a metro Atlanta location. During the orientation session local teams will be formed and introductory elements of the program will be covered.

IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE GeM CLASS OF 2003 AVAILABLE?

Classes will begin following the orientation session. The first day of class is August 24, 2002. The class will officially graduate December 15, 2003. The complete schedule is available upon request and will be posted on the GeM Web site. (Dates provided are tentative.)

CAN I AUDIT CLASSES OR TAKE JUST ONE OR TWO OF THE COURSES?
No, GeM courses are available only to students accepted for participation in the overall program. No classes are available for audit.

CAN ANY OTHER CLASSES I’VE TAKEN COUNT FOR CREDIT IN THE GeM PROGRAM?
No other master’s-level or MBA courses a prospective student has successfully completed in the past count as credit toward the GeM EMBA degree, which is a lock-step program. There is a fundamentals of accounting course that can be waived with the permission of the instructor.

WILL THERE BE INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR THE GEM EMBA CLASS OF 2003?

Yes. Three Information Session events are planned:

Thursday, February 28, 2002          Swissôtel Buckhead            6:30-8 p.m.

Thurday, March 28, 2002                GSU Alpharetta Campus     6:30-8 p.m.

Thursday, April 25, 2002                 SciTrek                              6:30-8 p.m.

Who can I contact for additional information?
For further details on the GeM EMBA program available through the eCommerce Institute in the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University, call 404-463-9300 or e-mail geminfo@eci.gsu.edu.