Darden Executive Education Alumni Lifelong Learning 2020 Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Which courses are available as part of the Alumni Lifelong Learning 2020 program? Are any not available?
All current Darden Executive Education courses will be made available, provided they are delivered in person in the U.S. or online, except for The Executive Program (TEP) and Management Development Program (MDP). Additionally, new courses that are made generally and publicly available during the timeframe of the Alumni Lifelong Learning 2020 program may be added to the program. An up-to-date list of available courses will be available online on our course details page.
Are the courses offered at UVA Darden DC Metro available?
Yes, courses will be offered at UVA Darden DC Metro and in Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as online.
Who is eligible for the free course?
All UVA Darden degree-program alumni, including graduates of the MBA, Executive MBA, Master of Science in Business Analytics and Ph.D., on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability is limited.
How do I sign up for my free course?
Sign-up will be available online and by calling +1-434-924-3000 to speak with a Darden Lifelong Learning associate.
What if the course I want to take is not available?
Enrollment in courses will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Based on the level of interest in each course, some may reach capacity and become unavailable, at which point we’ll create a waitlist to ensure any open seats for those courses are offered to interested alumni. To help ensure that alumni are enrolled into a course that meets their needs and interests, we’ll request each person submit their first, second and third course choices so that everyone has additional options in case courses fill up. The Lifelong Learning team will communicate with alumni if any of their top three choices are available and enroll alumni in one of the courses or place them on a waitlist for an unavailable course.
Who do I contact if I have questions about my request or waitlist?
All participants will be updated via email, and may review updates on the details page or by calling a Darden Lifelong Learning Associate at +1-434-924-3000.
Are food and accommodations included?
The Alumni Lifelong Learning 2020 program covers the cost of the selected course, including all services that are included in the program description. If a program is described as including room and board, or room and certain meals, then those are included and covered by the Alumni Lifelong Learning 2020 program.
What will I have to pay for?
The offer covers the cost of the program, including all included items listed or described in the program description. Travel costs will be at the expense of the attendee. Lodging and some meals may not be included, so check the course description carefully.
Alumni who participate in the program will be charged a reservation fee upon confirmation of their place in the program. This fee will ensure your seat remains available, and will help to defray the administrative costs of this program. Please refer to the terms and conditions below for details on the fee. If you have any questions, please contact a Lifelong Learning associate at +1-434-924-3000.
Who teaches these courses?
The same top-ranked Darden faculty that delivers the world’s best MBA education experience. Faculty assignments, and other details, are specific for each course and can be viewed at the individual course pages. For the full list and links to the available courses, please visit the details page.
Can I give my free course to a friend or colleague?
No. The Alumni Lifelong Learning 2020 program is non-transferrable at this time.
What’s the deadline to sign up for a free course?
Deadlines will vary by course, and specific dates will be listed on the program details page. Alumni who are on a waitlist will receive periodic updates on their status via email, or can contact a Darden Lifelong Learning associate at +1-434-924-3000 to inquire about the status of a waitlist.
Can I sign up in 2020 for a course that takes place in 2021, or otherwise defer my free course?
No. Currently, the Alumni Lifelong Learning 2020 program only includes courses scheduled for 2020. Available courses, schedules and other details may change. See the program details page for up-to-date information about the program.
Who attends these courses? Will it be all Darden alumni?
Darden Executive Education and Lifelong Learning offers courses that are open to professionals with a wide variety of backgrounds. Participants in a particular course may include a mix of Darden alumni and non-alumni.
Why is Darden doing this? Doesn’t it cost the School a lot of money?
Darden is committed to the ongoing professional and personal development of our graduates. Our Executive Education and Lifelong Learning team, in partnership with Darden faculty, demonstrates this commitment through the educational programs that we develop and deliver to corporate, government, military and individual learners every year.
As further demonstration of this commitment, and enabled by the recent gift from Frank M. Sands Sr. (MBA ’63) to support lifelong learning opportunities, Darden is making this investment in the lifelong learning of our alumni. We are extending this opportunity to help alumni continue their learning journey by reconnecting them to the transformational learning experience for which Darden is universally recognized, through participation in select Darden Executive Education and Lifelong Learning programs in 2020.
Does Darden expect me to do anything in return for this free course?
Darden alumni who participate in an Executive Education course through the Alumni Lifelong Learning 2020 program will be asked to provide feedback on their relationship with Darden, their experience during the chosen course, and their preferences and perceptions of lifelong learning. Providing feedback is voluntary, but participants are encouraged to provide feedback in order to help us better understand how to enhance Darden’s educational offerings and alumni relationships.
How can I make the most of my trip to Darden? Can I connect with students or faculty while on Grounds?
There are many events and activities scheduled at Darden during a typical week, and many of these may be open to alumni or non-alumni who are participating in a Darden Executive Education course. The Darden Office of Engagement, Alumni Career Services and other representatives are available to assist alumni with any special requests that may arise before, during or after their participation in the Alumni Lifelong Learning 2020 program.
Program Terms and Conditions
- Course Reservation Fee: this is a nonrefundable fee to hold your seat in the selected course and to help defray administrative costs. The reservation fee will depend upon the retail cost of the course, broken down as follows:
- $49 for programs less than $500
- $149 for programs up to $2,500
- $299 for programs up to $10,000
- $499 for programs over $10,000
- Transfer & Cancellation Policy: If you are unable to attend your selected course, you may transfer to another course, if one is available. Contact a Darden Lifelong Learning associate at +1-434-924-3000 to discuss transfer options. If you need to cancel altogether, you must do so in writing via email to Darden_ExEd@darden.virginia.edu. Your reservation fee is nonrefundable.
Modifications to Transfer & Cancellation Policy as of 12 March 2020 to address COVID-19:
If Darden Executive Education cancels, reschedules, or changes course format of a course due to the coronavirus, and you are already CONFIRMED in the impacted course, you may transfer to another course. If the new course you want to transfer into is not available due to waitlist status, you will be placed at the top of the waitlist for that new course.
- Course Registration Deadlines: For face-to-face courses, we will accept reservations for an individual course until the program is full or 30 days prior to the start date of the course. Once a course is full, interested participants will be placed on a waitlist in case space becomes available, up to 30 days prior to the start of the course. For online courses, we will accept reservations for an individual course until the program is full or the start date of the course.