Advanced Management Program

An Advanced Management Program (AMP) is an intensive non-degree executive education program often offered by elite business schools and aimed at senior managers and government officials. Participants usually have at least 15 years of management experience and are within one or two levels of the C-suite. As of 2008, Advanced Management Programs generally cost within the range of $30,000-$58,000 at top business schools, and 95% of students are sponsored by their employer.

Such programs skip the core curriculum of MBA and Executive MBA programs because, according to the Wall Street Journal, "these students are well beyond that fare." Instead, AMP programs focus on teaching "how to lead ... and the fine art of executing a vision." The Columbia Business School AMP program, for example, is built on three pillars: Leading authentically, thinking strategically, and executing dynamically.

Advanced Management Programs are usually very selective. Business schools only offer them at most twice per year and generally limit class sizes to no more than 50 students. Rather than being based on academics or standardized test scores, admission to AMP programs is based on management seniority and work history accomplishments.