Booth is more than a finance and economics powerhouse. Here are seven things you might not know about Booth and our Sokolov Executive MBA Program.
- By
- January 15, 2026
- Executive MBA - Global Network
7 Things You Didn’t Know about Chicago Booth’s Sokolov Executive MBA Program
1. Chicago Booth offered the first Executive MBA Program in the world
In 1943, Chicago Booth continued its history of innovation and transformative education by enrolling its inaugural class of 52 students. It would be 20+ years before another university opened the second Executive MBA Program.
2. Chicago Booth is the only U.S. business school to have permanent campuses on three continents
Booth opened its first international campus in Barcelona in 1994. Since then, we have expanded our global reach and grown to three campuses located in Chicago, London, and Hong Kong.
3. At Chicago Booth, the Executive MBA Program is taught by the same award-winning faculty as the Full-Time and Part-Time MBA Programs
Since the Nobel Prize in Economics was established in 1968, ten Chicago Booth faculty members have won the award. Most recently, Douglas Diamond received the honor for his groundbreaking research on banks and financial crises.
4. Many Booth Executive MBA students have already earned advanced degrees
Over 50% of the incoming class started the program with Masters Degrees in other subjects. Their fields of study include medicine, law, foreign affairs, engineering, economics, computer science, and accounting.
5. Chicago Booth is home to one of the top startup accelerator programs in the United States and shares rankings with programs like Y Combinator and Techstars
Since 1996, the New Venture Challenge has helped launch over 180+ startups still in operation today, with more than $11.5 billion in mergers and exits achieved by household names like Grubhub, Braintree/Venmo, and Simple Mills. The Global New Venture Challenge is the Executive MBA branch of the competition where over 80 coaches, judges, panelists, and guest speakers participate on our Chicago, London, and Hong Kong campuses.
6. Executive MBA graduates can return to Chicago Booth every year for more classes
Each August, over 100 Executive MBA alumni from around the world come back to Chicago to take classes with current students during their Electives weeks. This lifelong learning opportunity provides the chance to pick up new skills and network with friends, old and new.
7. Executive MBA students have access to a robust network of University of Chicago research centers, institutes, and committees worldwide
Chicago Booth research centers, and those with whom we partner at the University of Chicago, enrich the educational experience for students, support faculty research, keep alumni connected, and expand the impact of our school beyond the classroom to the broader business community.
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