Executive Education FAQs

Executive Education refers to academic programming for those in the workforce seeking professional development. The programs are not offered for credit and cannot be applied to a degree. Topics may include leadership (individual skill building as well as team building), finance, marketing, strategy, innovation, and operations. 

At the Vistex Institute, programs are offered in short, effective segments of one or two days.

You will learn from highly experienced faculty and other experts, gaining targeted learning about the latest theories, insights, and best practices in a business domain. In an Executive Education program you will also gain new skills that you can start using immediately, enhancing your effectiveness and professional status. Learning and working with other professionals means you also have the opportunity to expand your network to include executives from other organizations and industries. 

The Vistex Institute recognizes the need to provide actual learning that will be applied back at the work place in as short a period of time away from the job as possible.  We also price our programs to make them open to as many people as would benefit from it – not just hi-potentials and upper echelons of the organization. 

Programs for individuals are “open enrollment,” which means once you register you are admitted. No test scores or exams are required.

Programs for individuals (also known as open enrollment programs) are typically attended by one individual from a company, although some organizations send small groups or teams. An individual can register on his or her own, or be sent by their company. At Lehigh, these programs are conducted by the Vistex Institute. 

Programs for organizations (also known as custom programs) are designed to meet the specific needs, challenges, and development gaps of a company or division/business unit within a company. A Vistex Institute team member first works with the organization to develop a needs assessment. They then work with faculty to create content and design and deliver the program. Often, custom programs address large shifts or disruptive developments in the organization by bringing in expert faculty who work as advisers as well as instructors. They bring the latest research, insights, and best practices and show participants how to practically apply them. 

Yes! Private Delivery programs are a new option at Lehigh, offering the best of both individual and custom options. Private Delivery programs are based on the content from an individual program, with some optional customization available. The value of this option is getting a large number of people aligned quickly on one topic and developing a common language and approach that can be applied within the organization. Private Delivery programs accelerate skill acquisition and accommodate an organization’s performance or cultural shifts. They are also convenient and can be delivered either at Lehigh's Business Innovation Building in our brand new Executive Education suite or on-site at the organization. 

While most companies agree that talent is their most important asset, they aren’t investing enough in development. Whether for individuals identified as high potentials by their organization, or for individuals who choose to advance their own career, the Executive Certificate provides comprehensive education in business acumen and leadership. The Certificate program consists of a minimum of four programs and six total days of content of the participant’s choosing within a cluster of related topics taken over a three-year period. The Certificate is designed to fit busy schedules, with highly focused programs that run for one or two days. Participants may indicate their intent to earn the Executive Certificate prior to attending the first program or any time thereafter. The Certificate is formal recognition and acknowledgement of a strong commitment to professional development. 

Intense global competition has created a competitive environment that demands reduced costs, shorter cycle times, enhanced revenues, and a constant search for new ways to provide competitive value. By providing a better understanding of value chains, logistic systems, demand and supply chain planning processes, operations, quality systems, and supply networks, Lehigh’s Supply Chain Management Certificate enables participants to create competitive advantages for the organization. 

Program fees vary based on the length of the program. Please consult the chart below. 

Number of Days	Program Fee
1	$1,120
2	$2,160
6	$6,680
8	$8,680

All program materials, continental breakfast, lunch, and beverages are included in the program fee. The Vistex Institute is non-residential, so we offer discounted rates at local hotels for participants needing overnight accommodations. 

We accept all major credit cards, as well as checks. 

Discounts of 10% for alumni of Lehigh University are available by using promo code LUALUM at registration. 

Discounts of 10% for Active Duty and Veterans are available by using promo code VETERAN at registration. 

To register, simply click on the link on the program page and follow the prompts. Once you have successfully registered, you will receive a confirmation email. 

Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which is approximately an hour north of Philadelphia and an hour and a half west of New York City. The main office for the Vistex Institute for Executive Education is located in the Rauch Business Center, which is on the eastern side of The Asa Packer Campus. 

All of our Executive Education programs are held on Lehigh’s Mountaintop Campus, which is located on the top of South Mountain, or in nearby historic downtown Bethlehem.

Our programs are all non-residential, and therefore do not include hotel accommodations. For any program attendee needing overnight accommodations, we recommend and have special rates available with: 

• Hotel Bethlehem (ask for the Lehigh Friends and Family Rate)
• Hyatt Place Bethlehem (ask for the Lehigh Rate)

Both hotels are located less than four miles from Lehigh’s campus in historic downtown Bethlehem. Please make sure to call the hotel directly to make your reservation.

We are located six miles from Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) and only one hour north of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). We recommend scheduling your arrival flight for the night before to your program’s start date. All of our programs run 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, so most participants find that arriving early is very helpful.

For out of town participants, we recommend reserving a rental car to use during your stay. All of our programs are held on Lehigh’s Mountaintop Campus or in historic downtown Bethlehem. Uber and Lyft are available, but most participants prefer to have their own way to get around town and to travel to and from the program location.

A few of our programs for individuals involve some reading before the program begins, which allows the instructor to move more quickly into content that will make a difference in your career. There is no homework assigned for two-day programs.

All necessary materials for the program will be provided to you when you arrive.

A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided, as well as coffee, decaf coffee, tea, and water throughout the day.*

_{*If you have any dietary concerns, please either note that in your registration or email or call our office to inform us of your concern prior to your program date.}

Business casual is recommended for program attendance.

The registration deadline for our Open Enrollment Programs is one week prior to the program date. Individual program fees vary based on the length of the program.  

Cancellation requests must be received in writing. Those received up to thirty (30) days prior to the program are subject to a full refund. Cancellations received up to fourteen (14) days prior to the start of the program are subject to a cancellation fee of 50%. No refunds will be granted for 'no shows' or last minute cancellations (within 14 days of the program delivery).

Lehigh University reserves the right to cancel a program at any time for any reason. In the unlikely event of a program cancellation, paid program fees will be refunded, but the university is not responsible for any travel or other related expenses accrued by the program registrant.

If Lehigh University closes due to inclement weather, we will work to reschedule the program within a few weeks of the original date, taking participant availability into consideration. If a participant is unable to attend the rescheduled dates, they will receive a full refund or credit for a future program.