Website: www.unbc.ca/commerce/mba
The MBA is recognized worldwide as the hallmark of the management professional. Graduates of the UNBC MBA program develop a well-rounded understanding of the skills needed by leaders of private and public sector organizations, and the challenges facing enterprises.
The program is designed to allow professionals to complete their degree within two years while continuing to work full-time. During the first year of the program, students are introduced to the major disciplinary areas within the field of business, including strategy, economics, accounting, finance, organizational behaviour, marketing, and operations management. This part of the program builds the broad base of knowledge and skills required by senior management.
During the second year of the program, students gain a broad understanding of the global, legal and ethical environment in which organizations operate, and of the challenges facing organizations. In the context of northern British Columbia, there are economic, social, and environmental challenges confronting small and rural communities participating in a resource-based economy. Through the development of leadership and management capabilities, the MBA Program helps the communities and organizations achieve sustainable success and prosperity in a changing and complex world.
Course participants have the opportunity to focus on individual interests during the MBA Project. Working under the supervision of a faculty member, students complete a major research project, applying relevant theory to the study of a substantial organizational problem or issue.
The MBA Program coursework normally includes work assessed on an individual and group basis. Enterprise problems are seldom completely resolved through individual effort, and group work reinforces and enhances individual ability to work within multi-disciplinary teams.
Students come to the MBA Program with diverse backgrounds, a range of social and cultural perspectives, and different industry and business experiences. The MBA Program encourages this diversity as it fosters a rich learning environment.
Admission Requirements
The number of spaces in the MBA Program each year is limited to facilitate quality interaction with faculty and to enrich learning for every student. Admission is by a selection process based on criteria described below.
In addition to the general admission requirements outlined in General Admission of the Graduate Academic Calendar, candidates are required to provide:
- Evidence of a minimum of three years of work experience in a managerial or professional position;
- Three letters of reference from academics, colleagues, supervisors or significant clients;
- Demonstrated proficiency in English, as stipulated in English Language Requirements of the Graduate Programs Admissions and Regulations.
Additional information about graduate admissions, including application deadlines, is available on the website www.unbc.ca/admissions/graduate, and at the School of Business web page at www.unbc.ca/commerce. The MBA Program accepts students for the September Semester.
For additional information about graduate admissions or to download application materials, go to the Office of Graduate Administration website at www.unbc.ca/graduate-administration.
Exceptional Admission
Under special circumstances, candidates who either lack a formal degree or do not meet the grade point average requirements, but who have other outstanding qualifications, such as a professional designation, may be eligible for admission. For these candidates, a personal interview is required. The personal interview is designed to assess the applicant’s business skills and knowledge.
Required Courses for the First Year
| COMM 603-3 | Business and Corporate Strategy |
| COMM 610-3 | Accounting |
| COMM 620-3 | Corporate Finance |
| COMM 632-3 | Organizational Behaviour |
| COMM 640-3 | Marketing |
| COMM 650-3 | Operations Management |
| COMM 652-3 | Business Analytics |
| COMM 690-3 | Economic and Business Development |
| ECON 608-3 | Managerial Economics |
Required Courses for the Second Year
CHOOSE Option A or B
Option A
| COMM 799-6 | MBA Project |
| Five of the following: | |
| COMM 701-3 | Strategy Implementation |
| COMM 702-3 | Sustainability Management |
| COMM 735-3 | Law, Governance and Ethics |
| COMM 736-3 | Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations |
| COMM 737-3 | Leadership Practice and Development |
| COMM 751-3 | Project Management |
| COMM 755-3 | Management of Technology |
Option B
| COMM 701-3 | Strategy Implementation |
| COMM 702-3 | Sustainability Management |
| COMM 735-3 | Law, Governance and Ethics |
| COMM 736-3 | Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations |
| COMM 737-3 | Leadership Practice and Development |
| COMM 751-3 | Project Management |
| COMM 755-3 | Management of Technology |
Graduate Certificate in Change Leadership
This certificate is a subset of our full MBA program that provides students with the skills to analyse the structure of their organizations and help businesses navigate through organizational change. As organizations face dynamic changes in the business environment, the need to pivot quickly becomes a valuable skill for all employees. People with these skills are needed in a diverse set of organizations, from large government organizations to small local companies. Students in this program acquire the skills to understand their organizations, analyse issues and problems, and effect change. MBA students who complete the degree and take COMM 738-3 Change Management are also eligible for the certificate.
Requirements
| COMM 632-3 | Organizational Behaviour |
| COMM 737-3 | Leadership Practice and Development |
| COMM 738-3 | Change Management |
Updated: May 22, 2024