Many people are on the hunt for ways to secure more income and further their careers. One way to do so is to study in an executive MBA program.

An executive MBA program is a way for those already established in their professional careers to get a masters degree in business administration. A lot of times these programs are set up in a way so that the professionals can study while continuing their full time work commitments. Usually students are required to finish their degree within two years.

The Wall Street Journal recently put out a list of best executive MBA programs offered by universities. The top five schools who won honors of best executive MBA programs are:

1. Northwestern University’s Kellog School of Management

• Large executive MBA program with 843 students currently enrolled
• Four international partnerships
• Focus on international marketing
• Corporate rank – 2
• Accredited by AACSB
• 22 month program

2. University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School

• Large executive MBA program with 406 current students
• Corporate rank – 1
• Accredited by AACSB
• 24 month program

3. Thunderbird School of Global Management

• Got high marks for leadership education, program support, program quality
• High rankings from students
• Corporate rank – 8th
• Accredited by AACSB and NCA
• 16 month program

4. University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business

• Corporate rank - 11^th
• Accredited by AACSB
• 21 month program

5. University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flager Business School

• Corporate rank - 14^th
• Accredited by AACSB
• 20 month program

When the Wall Street Journal put together its list of the best executive MBA programs together they took a lot into consideration. To make it into the list of best executive MBA programs schools were marked on student and corporate ratings, skills, facility, and length of program, among many other things.