Timing and Location

The Smeal Executive MBA Program admits one class in August each year. The program is divided into roughly four segments over a 21-month period, with each segment about 20 weeks in length. Classes meet on alternating weekends (Friday overnight to Saturday) at the Ace Conference Center in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania.

The first and third segments contain a six-day residence at Penn State's University Park Campus. The final segment includes an global immersion experience, exploring business strategy and economic issues across countries, customs, currencies and cultures. In May's the program holds three day (Thursday, Friday & Saturday) leadership retreats in Philadelphia.

A calendar(.pdf 80Kb) provides a complete schedule of classes for the cohort starting in August.

Location

The ACE Conference Center is the ideal location for our intensive program. It's a peaceful refuge set in 300 acres of woodland. Comfortable and modern facilities, including a fully equipped business center, are perfect for teaching, while the considerable leisure facilities (including an 18-hole golf course, pool, and various athletic courts) enable you to unwind and clear your head for the next day. Spacious accommodations, award-winning cuisine, and easy access top off the package.

The ACE Center is centrally located, just 10-miles north of Center City Philadelphia, about halfway between Valley Forge National Park and historic Philadelphia; and about halfway between Washington, D.C. and New York City. It is easily accessible by car from I-276, I-76, and I-476, as well as by train and plane. It's also near Miquon station of the Septa R6 line. Read about directions to the facility .