Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Our Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the pinnacle of our graduate offerings, designed to propel your career to new heights.
With our accelerated, self-paced learning model, you can complete your MBA in as little as one year, allowing you to quickly acquire the advanced industry knowledge and leadership skills you need to succeed in today’s competitive business landscape.
For experienced professionals who don’t yet have a Bachelor’s degree, we offer a unique pathway to graduate studies.
Our MBA program is exclusively designed for adult learners, recognizing the valuable work and life experience you bring to the table.
This allows us to deliver an executive-level education that builds upon your existing experience, providing you with the strategic insights, innovative thinking, and decision-making abilities needed to lead in high-performing business environments.
Key information
eligibility
Candidates must evidence at least 10 years of post-secondary work, education, and life experience, including a minimum of 5 years leading complex projects or teams.
Candidates must have adequate workplace access to fulfill the degree’s project requirements.
For candidates without a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, alternative entry modes may also be recognized.
International students must also demonstrate English language proficiency.
Requirements
Master of Business Administration – 30 semester credit hours (12-18 months), including:
- Professional Certificate in [INDUSTRY] – 5 semester credit hours
- Professional Certificate in Management – 5 semester credit hours
- Professional Certificate in Leadership – 5 semester credit hours
- Professional Certificate in [SPECIALTY 1] – 3 semester credit hours
- Professional Certificate in [SPECIALTY 2] – 3 semester credit hours
- Professional Certificate in [SPECIALTY 3] – 3 semester credit hours
- Professional Certificate in [CAPSTONE] – 6 semester credit hours
Candidates must complete the Professional Certificates in the sequence proscribed.
Alternate awards
Candidates may apply to have their master’s degree redesignated to align with a related specialty domain.
For example, a candidate focusing on specific issues in the health sector may, at the discretion of the Provost, be awarded a Master of Health Administration.
Course structure
Professional competencies
Candidates must prepare a portfolio of 15 professional competencies in 3 blocks spanning technical, managerial, and leadership skills.
- 5 x Industry competencies
- 5 x Management competencies
- 5 x Leadership competencies
Capstone project
For their capstone project, candidates must engage a diverse range of stakeholders in a comprehensive review of an organizational performance issue.
They are required to analyze challenges, integrate multiple perspectives, and develop strategic, evidence-based interventions to drive measurable impact.
They must also present and defend their findings in a viva voce to an inpedpendent panel of academic and industry experts.
Prior learning assessment
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a process that enables you to earn college credit for the knowledge and skills you have gained outside of the traditional classroom setting.
This learning may come from work experience, professional training, military service, independent study, or other life experiences.
PLA recognizes and validates this learning, awarding college credit when it is equivalent to what would be taught in a college course, ultimately helping you save time and money by reducing the number of courses you need to take to earn your degree.
Up to 15 semester credit hours toward the MBA (50%) can be earned through Cedar Mountains University’s prior learning assessment.
Contact a student concierge to learn more.
What you’ll learn
Our MBA isn’t another grind of coursework, group chats, and essays—it’s an advanced, workplace-driven experience designed for professionals who are already leading and ready to elevate their impact.
Instead of traditional lectures and exams, you’ll refine your real-world expertise through one-on-one mentorship with seasoned business leaders who have a proven track record of executive success.
You won’t just study business concepts—you’ll apply them directly to your industry, ensuring every learning experience is immediately relevant to your career.
From day one, you’ll build a portfolio of professional competencies, demonstrating your expertise in leadership, strategy, and decision-making.
Over a series of structured mentorship cycles, you’ll identify and tackle real workplace challenges, scanning global best practices, critically evaluating them in your unique context, and developing actionable solutions.
The culmination of your MBA is a high-impact capstone project, where you’ll work with a professional organization to assess a complex issue and present evidence-based interventions to executives or board members.
This hands-on approach ensures that your MBA isn’t just a credential—it’s a showcase of your ability to drive meaningful change.
Our MBA is designed to be transformative, not just in the knowledge you gain but in how you approach challenges, opportunities, and leadership at the highest levels.
Whether you’re advancing in your current field, pivoting industries, or preparing for the C-suite, this program provides the tools, mentorship, and real-world experience to accelerate your success.
How you’ll learn
At Cedar Mountains University, we believe in the power of the 70:20:10 rule of learning, which states that 70% of learning comes from hands-on experience, 20% from social interaction and feedback, and 10% from formal training.
10% – Each mentor sequence is supported by a custom-curated selection of academic and industry readings, media, and other content, personally chosen by your mentor to align with your learning goals.
20% – Then, you’ll discuss the concepts and how they apply to real businesses in one-on-one sessions with your professor, similar to the famous Oxford and Cambridge tutorial system.
70% – Finally, you’ll put your knowledge to work on a real project, where you’ll research and prepare a report, give a presentation, and defend your ideas.
This powerful combination of theory, discussion, and real-world application ensures that you not only grasp the concepts but also develop the practical skills and confidence needed to excel in your future business career.
How we’ll help
At Cedar Mountains University, we’ve reimagined the assessment process.
Unlike traditional assessment methods, where students receive a one-time grade with limited feedback and no chance to improve, our approach is designed to enable continuous learning and improvement.
With no set course deadlines, you can submit draft assignments as soon as you’re ready to receive detailed feedback from your professors, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for growth.
You’ll then have the chance to revise and resubmit your work an unlimited number of times in the term, allowing you to learn from your mistakes, refine your understanding of the material, and ultimately produce higher-quality work.
This iterative process is invaluable for all students, regardless of their background or prior knowledge.
By providing ongoing feedback and the opportunity to revise, we create a supportive environment that promotes deep learning, skill mastery, and the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that are highly valued by employers.
Our revolutionary approach to assessment ensures every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential and graduate with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in their chosen careers.
Who will teach you
At Cedar Mountains University, our faculty bring a unique blend of academic expertise and real-world experience to the classroom.
Each professor holds advanced degrees in their field and has a minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in the subjects they teach.
What sets our faculty apart is that many of them continue to work in high-level positions within their industries while teaching part-time.
This means you’ll be learning from professionals who are actively engaged in the business world, bringing fresh insights and practical knowledge to every lesson.
They’ll share real-life case studies, industry best practices, and personal experiences to enrich your learning and help you understand how the theories you learn in class apply to actual business situations.
With our faculty’s unique combination of academic credentials and professional accomplishments, you’ll receive a well-rounded education that prepares you for the challenges and opportunities of the modern business landscape.
How WE grade you
Our MBA uses competency-based assessment, ensuring you don’t just pass—you master.
Unlike traditional grading, where a 50% score might be enough to move forward, competency represents a standard well above a pass, equivalent to at least a B+ level of expertise.
More importantly, competency means more than just demonstrating understanding in a single moment, but proving that your skills are repeatable, transferable, and consistently applicable across different challenges, industries, and environments.
Think of it this way: Traditional exams measure what you can recall under pressure, often rewarding last-minute cramming over deep, lasting expertise.
But real leadership isn’t about memorizing theory — it’s about applying knowledge in dynamic, high-stakes situations and making informed decisions that create impact.
Competency-based assessment ensures that when you complete your MBA, you’re not just getting a degree — you’re gaining proven, real-world skills that stand up over time and under pressure.
Consider this: Would you trust a medical doctor who only needed 50% on their exams to qualify? Probably not, which is why doctors need years of post-degree, competency-based residency to earn their license to practice.
Think of this MBA as your residency.
A competency-based model ensures full mastery of critical skills, so when you’re making high-level decisions that impact people, businesses, and communities, you can do so with confidence.
When you’ll study
At Cedar Mountains University, our standard term runs for 12 weeks, however you are free to negotiate the duration of this period with your mentor.
There are no set due dates for assignments, and you can submit your work and finish the course whenever you’re ready in that span.
We also prioritize your convenience by eliminating set class times, allowing you to learn whenever it suits you best and access support when you need it most.
With a new term starting every Monday, you can maximize your study time and progress through the material at a pace that works for you.
Where you’ll study
Your workplace is your classroom.
Rather than sitting in lectures or completing abstract essays, you’ll apply your learning directly to your professional environment, using real challenges and opportunities as the foundation of your study.
This ensures that every competency you develop is immediately relevant and has a tangible impact on your organization.
To succeed in this program, you must have access to a workplace where you can engage with projects, stakeholders, and leadership challenges that align with your learning objectives.
Your mentor will be available online, providing expert guidance and industry insights tailored to your role and goals.
However, if you have a suitable mentor within your sponsoring organization, we encourage you to discuss how they might be integrated into your learning experience.
Our goal is to ensure that your MBA is deeply connected to your professional growth while delivering measurable value to your organization.
What you’ll gain
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, success requires more than just academic knowledge.
Employers are seeking candidates who possess a diverse set of skills that go beyond traditional book smarts.
The modern business world demands professionals who can think critically and creatively, solve complex problems, communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and adapt to change.
These 21st-century skills are essential for navigating the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.
At Cedar Mountains University, our MBA program is designed to equip you with the employability outcomes that will set you apart in the job market.
Through our innovative curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, and focus on personal and professional development, you’ll graduate with a well-rounded skill set that includes:
Critical and creative thinking: You’ll learn to analyze complex business issues, evaluate evidence, and generate innovative solutions by thinking outside the box.
Problem-solving: You’ll develop the ability to break down complex problems, identify key issues, and develop effective strategies for resolution.
Communication and collaboration: You’ll learn to articulate your ideas clearly, listen actively, and work effectively in diverse teams.
Digital literacy: You’ll gain hands-on experience with the latest business technologies and learn to leverage data and digital tools for strategic advantage.
Entrepreneurial mindset: You’ll cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit, learning to identify opportunities, take calculated risks, and innovate in the face of change.
Global perspective: You’ll develop an understanding of the global business environment and the skills needed to work effectively across cultures and borders.
Adaptability and resilience: You’ll learn to embrace change, persevere through challenges, and continuously learn and grow throughout your career.
By focusing on these 21st-century skills and employability outcomes, our MBA program prepares you not just for your first job, but for a lifetime of success in the modern business world.
You’ll graduate with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take on any challenge and thrive in your chosen career, as employers seek candidates who can bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the table.
How much it costs
Cost per Professional Certificate
- Professional Certificate in [INDUSTRY] – $2,500
- Professional Certificate in Management – $2,500
- Professional Certificate in Leadership – $2,500
- Professional Certificate in [SPECIALTY 1] – $4,500
- Professional Certificate in [SPECIALTY 2] – $4,500
- Professional Certificate in [SPECIALTY 3] – $4,500
- Professional Certificate in [CAPSTONE] – $6,000
Typical cost per degree
- Master of Business Administration – $27,000
Interest free payment plans are available as an alternative to student loans.
Contact us for more information.
Have a question?
We’re here to help. We can answer your questions, help you understand your options and support you throughout the application process.
