KEY FACTS

Program length:

2 years

Program Tuition Fees:

Domestic Fees*

International Fees

*30% discount applies for Canadian Forces members and veterans

Intakes:

Fall (October), Winter (January), Spring (April), Summer (July)

Delivery:

On-Campus

This program is also available online.

UCW’s MBA Games Team placed first in the 2023 BC MBA Games and 2024 national MBA Games. In 2024, UCW became the first university to hold both the national MBA Games and BC MBA Games trophies at the same time.

The ACBSP and NCMA-accredited Master of Business Administration (MBA) program from UCW will prepare you for success on a global level. You will learn how to take challenging situations in a stride, apply pragmatic solutions to problems and ultimately drive the success of your organization through intelligent decision-making.

Our MBA program also includes relevant digital components (see course structure below) and we collaborate with digital leaders such as Riipen, the Digital Marketing Institute, Salesforce (Trailhead), Tableau and IBM to keep our students updated with upcoming technological trends.

Students can also qualify to earn certifications, including Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) and more.

The Digital Marketing Institute (DMI) and UCW have partnered to offer the Certified Digital Marketing Associate (CDMA) certification as part of the MRKT 621 – Marketing Management course.

DMI is the global standard in Digital Marketing Certification with more than 185,000 members and over 35,000 certified students.

Along with program access, students also become DMI members for the duration of their MBA program, giving them access to its network of members with contributions and insights from the foremost subject matter experts in digital marketing.

The certification shows that students have learned the fundamental skills of digital marketing and is recognized by the world’s leading employers including Google, Facebook and Twitter helping graduates secure a junior executive position in the industry.

Main Topics / Modules

  • Foundations of Digital
  • Web & Email
  • Social Media
  • Social Customer Service
  • Challenges & Risks
  • Digital Mind-Set

Important Details

  • The $150 fee for this certification is part of your tuition cost.
  • Students will be registered into the DMI Essentials platform.
  • Once you have completed 80% of the learning modules in the platform, you will be eligible to take the DMI Essentials exam. You must score 60% or higher to pass the exam.
  • The score on the exam will count towards 10% in your MRKT 621 class assessments.
  • Upon successful completion of the DMI Essentials exam, students are eligible to receive the Certified Digital Marketing Associate certificate.

The Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) program is award through an external exam taken on Pearson VUE. The program is a more comprehensive certification than CDMA and is the most widely taught digital marketing certification program globally with over 30K certified students. The certification also carries an additional credential from the American Marketing Association the professional certified marketer. The certification shows that students have learned the practitioner skills of digital marketing and is recognised by the worlds leading employers including Google, Facebook and Twitter helping graduates secure a digital marketing executive position within the industry.

Students who pursue any of the Digital Marketing elective courses (Digital Marketing, Marketing Analytics or E-Commerce) will be automatically qualified to register for Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) designation upon successful completion.

Students in UCW’s MBA HR elective area will gain a deeper understanding of the field of Human Resources. UCW’s recent partnership with the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of British Columbia and Yukon (CPHR BC & Yukon) means that UCW students will have access to discounted student membership in the association, as well as an extensive array of learning and professional development opportunities including peer to peer learning, proven expertise, community engagement knowledge and more.

In addition, UCW students who become members of CPHR BC & Yukon prior to graduation and who successfully complete the MBA program and the HR elective area with a minimum 70% GPA average and who apply to CPHR BC & Yukon for exam exemption will be awarded National Knowledge Exam (NKE) passing status and will thus be exempt from writing the exam. Once approved, graduates of the UCW MBA program HR elective area will become a CPHR Candidate, the first step towards becoming a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR).

Business Courses Powered by the Latest Technology

UCW continues its evolution towards becoming Vancouver’s tech-business university. We’ve partnered with leading business and tech companies such as Salesforce, Amazon, Shopify, Facebook and many others to incorporate their latest technology and expertise into the Master of Business Administration program courses at UCW.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform from startups to large enterprises. UCW has integrated a number of their Cloud and Machine Learning Certifications into Cloud Computing Technologies and Machine Learning Tools & Techniques courses.

Our partnership with DMI means that upon successful completion of the Marketing Management course you will receive associate level certification from DMI. You will then have the option to take a set of three digital marketing electives, which will set you up to take DMI’s Pearson VUE test to get certified as a Digital Marketing Professional, in addition to earning your MBA degree from  UCW.

Thanks to a partnership between DMI and the American Marketing Association (AMA), if you complete the digital marketing electives and pass the DMI Pearson VUE test you will also get AMA Professional Certified Marketer certification.

Facebook Blueprint helps connect learners to skills, courses, & certifications that will help businesses to optimize their social media presences on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. Students can complete the Facebook Certified Digital Marketing Associate certification through the completion of the Digital Marketing course.

UCW has created a new course about entrepreneurship that launched this term. Business-641 (Entrepreneurship) incorporates IBM Design Thinking into the MBA program. The IBM Design Thinking model is a scalable framework aimed at big enterprises that uses three principles to solve complex problems creatively.

Riipen brings industry and academia together, with real company projects. Projects are embedded directly into curriculum or completed as remote internships. Immersing students in industry projects equips them with work-ready skills.

Salesforce is an online solution for customer relationship management (CRM). It gives all departments within a company, including marketing, sales, commerce and service, a shared view of their customers with one integrated CRM platform. Salesforce has been incorporated into the Marketing Management course.

Shopify is an all-in-one SAS e-commerce platform that allows businesses to launch, run and grow an online business. UCW through our E-Commerce course has partnered with Shopify to train students how to start, run and grow an e-commerce business.

Tableau, a powerful data visualization tool used in the business intelligence industry, has been incorporated into UCW’s Business Analytics course.

UCW has partnered with Indigo to introduce a multi-dimensional, research-based self-assessment tool, called Trimetrix. The tool provides a more complete framework than a traditional single-dimensional assessment. Specifically, it enables people to explore their behavioural style, motivators and competencies, as well as their acumen or decision making.

Starting January 2022, all MBA students can take the assessment upon entry and then again at the end of their UCW academic journey.

Some benefits include the opportunity for students to engage in introspection and develop self-awareness about their behavioural and communication preferences, driving forces, acquired competencies and talents. For many students, this may be the first time they partake in this type of reflection, which can in turn, be very powerful — to shape future career directions and their related course of study. In addition to increased self-awareness, students may play to their strengths and challenge themselves to further develop in key areas.

Specifically, Trimetrix is a well-recognized tool that is being used as part of UCW’s accreditation with ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs). The first opportunity to use Trimetrix occurs in a HRMT 622 (Talent Management) assignment. Students can then build on the acquired knowledge throughout the program. In the exit course, MGMT 661 (Strategic Management), students complete Trimetrix again, enabling them to see any changes over the course of the program and to inform their future plans.

Graduates of the MBA program will be able to:
  • respond strategically to business challenges and opportunities.
  • assess ethical implications of business activities.
  • develop, implement and evaluate solutions to business problems.
  • formulate business decisions and systematic analysis that reflects critical thinking.
  • demonstrate effective skills to collaborate with diverse groups of people.
  • lead teams through the resolution of problems and successful completion of projects and tasks.
  • integrate personal values and perspectives into problem solving and take responsibility for decisions.
  • communicate ideas persuasively (written and oral) as a result of thorough analysis of information.
  • gather, analyze and synthesize information for a business context.

Class profile

UCW brings together students from all over the world, which leads to an enhanced learning environment. Students not only learn from program leaders, but from each other. Students present different insights into topics, depending on their culture and background.

Employability

Academica Group has been surveying our MBA graduates 6 months after graduation.

According to the latest data from the alumni that participated in the study, 94% of our MBA students are working or have a job lined up within one year of graduating.*

*Based on survey results from December 2023

Our alumni work for some of the world’s leading organizations such as:
  • Siemens
  • Apple
  • Nestle
  • Scotiabank
  • Telus
  • SoftMoc
  • EmpowerID
  • SAP
  • The Marketing Kangaroos
  • Sigamlux
  • GPP
  • Danone
  • Oakville Trading
  • RBC
  • Walt Disney World

Course Structure

The program is split into four tiers that will progressively develop your skillset, until you are able to handle the most complex problems. Team activities are an intrinsic part of the MBA, reflecting the need for team skills in modern business and providing a collegial learning environment.

New Student Orientation (NSO)

Through this orientation students come to understand their academic expectations, requirements, and rights and responsibilities at University Canada West. Students will learn how to access the university services and systems that they need to be successful in their studies. Orientation includes practices of information literacy, academic integrity, critical thinking, and academic writing.

The Tier 1 courses are your entry to the MBA program. They establish the basic university skills of analytics, research and writing while providing students with a theoretical and practical basis for what follows in the program.

ACCT 621 — Accounting for Managers

This course is designed to help students learn and understand from a manager’s point of view how to run a department, start up or run a business. This course applies accounting knowledge so that students learn how to read and interpret business reports so that they can successfully manage the operation. The principles learned in this course can then be applied to other courses such as FNCE 623 and the Finance electives, FNCE 625, 627, 629 and 630 as well as OPMT 620, MGMT 640 & the MGMT 641 & 642 electives, BUSI 641 Entrepreneurship and other courses. This knowledge can then further be applied to situations found in post-MBA careers.

BUSI 601 – Ethics, CSR, & Business Environmental Analysis

Students explore the context of strategic analysis and business decision-making, including the impact of social, technical, economic, environmental and political factors on organizational success; and the tactics that companies use to respond to those factors. The ethical framework of decision-making in relation to global stakeholders anchors this exploration. Best business practices worldwide will be examined.

HRMT 622 – Talent Management 

Talent Management serves as a foundational course for students who wish to understand contemporary organizations, their work culture and the role of HR within the Canadian workplace. Taking an applied approach, students design strategies, policies, procedures, systems and structures required to successfully operate in a business context. Students also examine the key OBHR tools considered as a set of business “best practices” to support and advise managers/leaders and employees to be successful in the contemporary work environment.

BUSI 650 – Business Analytics 

Students are introduced to business analytics which entails converting qualitative and quantitative data from internal and external sources to meaningful insights that can be used for business decision making. Topics include understanding the information needs of business, data sources, statistical and econometric techniques for organizing and analyzing data and reporting and interpretation of results. Prerequisite: MBAF 502 (if previously enrolled in MBAF).

The Tier 2 courses begin to explore the functional areas of organizational operations and management.

FNCE 623 – Financial Management 

The impacts of financial decisions internal to, and external to the organization are examined. The course introduces the topic of financial markets, and how financial information is related to the success of the firm, especially regarding the ability to raise capital. It reviews the different instruments and institutions used during the process. Strategies for evaluating and minimizing risk are presented. Underlying much of the analysis is the concept of time value theory of money. The role and expectation of shareholders is presented. Most decisions within an organization have important financial implications, explicit or otherwise and must be well understood and managed. Prerequisite: ACCT 621.

MRKT 621 – Marketing Management 

Students manage marketing activities by exploring the process of planning and executing the concept, pricing, promotion and distribution of goods and services and practice required to implement marketing strategies. They consider how to craft the ‘right’ message and position based on organization’s values to ensure a coherent voice through every aspect of their campaign. Topics include analysis of the marketing environment, segmentation, positioning, consumer behaviour, customer care, marketing research, branding, pricing, distribution and promotion. Students build skills for serving in an organization planning their secure future within the 21st century marketplace. Please note there is a fee for MRKT 621 of $150 to access Digital Marketing Institute modules and membership.

MGMT 601 – Leadership in the Global Context 

Through incorporating elements of leadership at all levels within an organization, students explore leadership theories and best practices that differentiate successful leaders from others. With a view to enhancing their ability to lead teams, students are challenged to identify their own leadership style and to adopt new leadership approaches, skills and strategies. Strategic planning, leadership skills and critical thinking skills are developed through applying strategic management tools and processes to real world problems with a particular focus on ethical leadership.

OPMT 620 – Operations Management 

Operations management involves managing the operations of a business to ensure that quality products and services are delivered in a timely and cost-effective way to meet customers’ needs. Statistical methods and decision support systems using production and operations management tools are reviewed as part of comprehensive management practices. Prerequisites: BUSI 650 and MBAF 502 (if previously enrolled in MBAF).

Tier 2 students must take one 600-level elective.

The Tier 3 courses will give you the depth of knowledge necessary to make you a qualified practitioner in the field.

CMPT 641 – Digital Transformation 

This course builds a foundation for good business decision-making and problem solving related to assessing organizational needs for the implementation and management of digital transformation in organizations. Various digital technology trends (e.g., AI, AR/VR, Big Data, Blockchain, IoT) will be examined, including different aspects of business value chains (core and support activities), with specific attention to technology strategy and governance. Students explore change management and contemporary project management approaches (e.g. Agile) to digital transformation. A hands-on, consulting-like project approach is taken with an external client, typically a business navigating the process of digital transformation. Through digital transformation stories (mini-cases) students build analytical skills and apply business frameworks and industry practices. Class presentations and discussions enhance student communication and analytical skills related to technology.

MGMT 640 – Project Management

The changing nature of work due to technological advances, globalization and other factors means that, increasingly, work is organized around projects with teams being brought together based on the skills needed for specific tasks. This course equip students with the underlying knowledge and practical experience that drive project delivery across all industry sectors, from construction to information technology. Students possess a detailed understanding of how project management directly improves business productivity and profitability. Prerequisite: OPMT 620.

Tier 3 students must take two 600-level electives.

Tier 4 courses are the final step in your program. They provide the opportunity to integrate and polish your knowledge. It includes a major consulting or primary research project that demonstrates your ability in a field of your interest.

MGMT 661 – Strategic Management

Strategic Management focuses on strategy formulation and its implementation from a top management perspective. An in-depth understanding of business, corporate, and network-level strategies helps students create an innovative approach that connects conventional business practices with the contemporary business world. Students are introduced to international strategies, collaborative innovation strategies, organizational and environmental analyses, and digital platform strategies critical to strategic decision-making taking into account corporate governance and corporate social responsibility. The course takes a problem-solving approach through the stages of a strategic project: defining the problem, analysis, developing recommendations and communicating the recommendations for the greatest impact. Five stages are reviewed: developing a strategic vision and mission; setting objectives; crafting strategies and tactics to achieve organizational goals; implementing and executing tactics and strategies; and developing the evaluation and measurements of performance. Students develop skills in strategic thinking and analysis, leadership, communication, teamwork and cross-functional integration. This course must be taken in the last two terms. Prerequisites: BUSI 601, BUSI 650, HRMT 622, MRKT 621, OPMT 620, FNCE 623.

Choose One Of:

  • Academic Research Project

This course is one of the completion options in the MBA degree and is independently completed under the direction of an assigned academic supervisor. Students are assessed on their ability to conduct practical research (typically field research) and the quality of their final paper in analyzing the results and implications of their research. The project advances and applies knowledge and skills developed through the MBA program, but is also assessed for the value it delivers to the sponsor organization, whether that is the student’s own workplace or another organization. Students present their Consulting/Research papers to invited members of the University community. Students must be self-directed learners to manage the time and effort it takes to complete this course within the allotted time. Students must provide bi-weekly updates of their progress to their Faculty Supervisor from the date of registration until the date of completion.

  • CAPS 602 – Capstone Project

Students define and analyze a real-life project based on their assessment of its needs, challenges and opportunities. After identifying a challenge, they analyze it, propose solutions and build a strategic plan. Throughout, students update their e-portfolio showcasing their progress and create a personalized video presentation explaining their activities, experience, and contributions to the organization. They produce a written report and analysis of the problem, their contributions and recommendations. Students participate in a mock employment interview and pitch the professional experience and benefits they gained from their project. All assignments will be reviewed and evaluated by the instructor and employer supervisor. Must be taken in last semester. Prerequisites: completion of all the required core courses in MBA and BUSI 640. Corequisite: MGMT 643.

  • WORK 601 – Graduate Practicum

Students with limited job experience will be matched with a commercial company based on their e portfolio. Under guidance, they gain practical knowledge and skills through completing an analysis of their assigned role. After identifying a challenge, students propose ways to solve it and build a strategic plan. They present a video story outlining their activities, their contribution to the organization, analysis of the internship experience and their recommendations for a solution to the challenge. The final report documents how students have been able to integrate into the organization and describe proposed solutions with outcomes. All assignments are posted to their e-portfolio and evaluated by both the instructor and supervisor. This is one of the MBA completion options and must be taken in the last term.

  • MENT 630 – Launch Your Business

This hands-on applied course focuses on the creation, evaluation, development and launch readiness of a new business or social venture. The course is one of the completion options for the MBA program. For each new venture, key issues are addressed in a fashion consistent with other formal venture planning processes, including business model development, customer discovery, product market validation, in-depth industry and market analysis, product or service innovation, brand development and go-to-market strategies, team selection and management, profit models, financing and legal considerations. Throughout this course students refine their venture’s business model based on instructor and peer feedback. Must be taken in last term. Prerequisites: Completion of 30 core credits and BUSI 641

  • BUSI 660 – Small Business Management

By the end of this course, students can manage and support small business owners. Students will help clients to improve profitability through business principles. The course will cover business model alignment with the profitability key success matrix of a small business. the course will focus on the connection between HR, Finance, Marketing, Operation and growth strategy for small businesses. This is one of the MBA completion options and must be taken in the last semester.

 

Elective Areas

You now have a choice. You can select electives in one of ten elective areas as you progress through your degree program. Choose from elective areas in Business Analytics, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resources Management, Leadership, Marketing, Operations Management, Research and Project Management to gain specialized skills and knowledge.

BUSI 651 – Machine Learning Tools and Techniques 

Students explore the world and models of machine learning and how to use best practices with data to help the learning algorithm find patterns to map the target attributes. Students consider different patterns in outputs to discover if the machine learning model can predict new data sets of potential new targets. The course will incorporate Amazon Web Services Cloud Machine Learning Algorithm QuickStart. Prerequisite: BUSI 650.

BUSI 652 – Predictive Analytics: What Works?

Students explore the architecture of machine learning and how they can use strategic business decision-making to align machine learning technologies to help the organization meet its goals. The course takes a ‘client’ business approach where students analyze data and potential applications of machine learning and analytics to help to achieve strategic goals. Prerequisite: BUSI 650.

BUSI 653 – Cloud Computing Technologies 

Organizations across the globe are increasingly moving to the cloud. Students investigate cloud technology, best practices and economics, and the rewards and risks of this rush to the cloud. They adapt and design cloud computing solutions for business challenges, explore the fundamentals of cloud computing, and build the foundational knowledge required for understanding and applying cloud computing from both practitioner and business perspectives. Cloud computing essentials, history, emerging trends, the business case for cloud computing, cloud service models, deployment models and the key components of Cloud architecture are covered. Students review emerging trends in the cloud such as Hybrid Multi-cloud, Microservices, Serverless, Cloud Native, DevOps, Cloud Security Basics and Application Modernization. Corequisite: CMPT 641.

BUSI 654 – Application AI in Business

This course explores the applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in different business domains, including marketing, finance, strategy, operations, supply chains, human resources, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), sustainability and product development. In addition, the course explains how to select and execute AI tools and procedures including prediction and segmentation to reduce waste, minimize cost and improve efficiency in a business. Prerequisites: BUSI 650

BUSI 640 – Consulting Practice 

This course is designed to develop analytical and consulting skills in a real work environment. It explores organizational critical analysis skills; action, intervention and problem-solving capacity; critical financial, operations and marketing concepts. Presentation skills in management consulting are increased through direct work with internal and external clients. Various consulting phases including entry; diagnosis; action planning; implementation; and termination are through the topics of consulting processes; effective communication; change readiness; and consulting teamwork. Important milestones include developing a relationship with the client, determining their need(s), developing a proposal, entering into an agreement, conducting a diagnosis, analysis and making recommendations. Prerequisites: HRMT 622, MRKT 621, OPMT 620, FNCE 623, MGMT 601.

MGMT 643 – Change Management 

Students investigate intervention theory surrounding the dynamics of change. Methods of aligning organizational structures with strategy within environmental vagaries are explored. Change agent models are reviewed and data collection, content analysis and feedback mechanisms outlined to assist the organization achieve risk reduction through harnessing creative, proactive response.

CAPS 602 – Capstone Project

Students define and analyze a real-life project based on their assessment of its needs, challenges and opportunities. After identifying a challenge, they analyze it, propose solutions and build a strategic plan. Throughout, students update their e-portfolio showcasing their progress and create a personalized video presentation explaining their activities, experience, and contributions to the organization. They produce a written report and analysis of the problem, their contributions and recommendations. Students participate in a mock employment interview and pitch the professional experience and benefits they gained from their project. All assignments will be reviewed and evaluated by the instructor and employer supervisor. Must be taken in last semester. Prerequisites: completion of all the required core courses in MBA and BUSI 640. Corequisite: MGMT 643.

Electives

Students taking the Consulting Elective Area must also take one 600-level elective.

MENT 602 – Design Thinking 

Students are introduced to how entrepreneurship, creativity, sustainability, innovation and social innovation interrelate to become the modus operandi in creating new business ideas. The focus is on practical concepts, tools and designs/models as a means for researching, identifying, building and utilizing skills and competencies that will help to develop the ideation process. Through experiential learning, students practice their innovation and creativity skills to transform ideas into their competitive advantage and generate business opportunities. Students have the opportunity to earn a series of digital badges from IBM Design Think through successfully completing assignments.

MENT 610 – Prototyping for Entrepreneurs 

Students analyze the fundamentals of prototyping and acquire the key tools for identifying product solution/product-market fit, user testing and Minimum Viable Product creation. To build their Minimum Viable Product, students employ software-based tools, and through a series of case-studies, are introduced to the process of getting from a new idea to a real product. Students apply best practices to assess the viability of the potential product through customer observations, interviews and surveys. They employ customer engagement techniques, add operations and project management details, and finally practice pitching their ideas to potential investors.

BUSI 641 – Entrepreneurship 

This course introduces students to the process of creating and managing their own business venture – from opportunity recognition and idea generation to the development of their innovative business. The course investigates the main challenges associated with the first steps of startup. Students assess the opportunities, build and verify business hypothesis, define the right customer segments, market research, and plan strategic development of their brand-new venture. They explore the legal aspects of starting the company and the fundraising process. The course demonstrates practical implementation of different frameworks, including Business Model, by analyzing real startups case-studies. Upon the completion of the course, students will have the capacity to reasonably assess the product-solution and product-market fit and how to pitch their ideas to investors. Prerequisites: HRMT 622, MRKT 621, OPMT 620, FNCE 623. Corequisites: MENT 602 and MENT 610.

FNCE 625 – Investment Analysis and Management

Students apply investment concepts and security characteristics to analyze various types of investment securities and how investment portfolios are managed. Topics covered include investment alternatives, securities markets, securities trading, risk and return trade-offs, fixed income securities, equities, derivative securities, SWAPs, analytical approaches and portfolio selection and management. Prerequisite: FNCE 623.

FNCE 627 – Personal Financial Planning

Students are introduced to financial planning issues and strategies to achieve long-term financial planning goals with a focus on retirement planning. Topics include RRSPs, RRIFs, LIFs, products such as investments, insurance, pension plans and annuities, the roles of taxation, the time value of money and risk in financial planning and estate planning. Prerequisite: FNCE 623.

FNCE 629 – Global Financial Institutions Management

Students investigate the financial institutions industry, the risks involved in the industry, the regulatory framework for financial institutions and the approaches to monitoring and managing the risks (Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS)) and the regulatory environment in Canada and globally. Prerequisite: FNCE 623.

FNCE 630 – Sustainability and Finance

The meaning of green and sustainable finance in the world today is explored from a multi stakeholder, global view. This course introduces how the world is financing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations and how investors can make well-informed Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investment decisions. These goals are accomplished by providing students with a strong background in sustainable development as related to financing business activities. Students examine what it mean to evaluate sustainable financial ventures and products by examining real-world case studies focused on business decisions and financial market instruments. Strategic models for evaluating sustainable financing actions are presented and applied to these case studies. Prerequisite: FNCE 623.

HRMT 621 – Human Resource Management in the Global Environment 

Students investigate how to develop strategies, policies, procedures, systems and structures to manage human resources in a global business and multi-cultural context. They explore the issues facing businesses in these environments, critically examine the key HR tools to be successful and define a se of business “best practices” to support and advise managers and leaders to be successful in these environments. Prerequisite: HMRT 622.

HRMT 623 – HR Strategy 

HR is core to the achievement of long-term organizational success at every step from effectively implementing business strategies to attracting, developing, evaluating, motivating and retaining talent. This course constitutes part of three elective courses offered for students wishing to achieve their CPHR designation upon fulfilment of their MBA requirements. Developing effective HR strategies is important to an organization’s health and longevity. Students learn to identify, evaluate and develop human capital as strategic resources. Students explore major issues and topics used for addressing contemporary challenges in the workplace. Topics include SHRM, HR planning and strategy, strategic people management, organizational development strategies, corporate social responsibility strategies and human resource management information system strategies. Prerequisite: HRMT 622.

HRMT 624 – Recruiting & Retaining Talent 

Attracting the right people and developing them to achieve organizational goals are critical functions for all types and sizes of organizations. This course constitutes part one of three elective courses offered for students wishing to achieve their CPHR designation upon fulfilment of their MBA requirements. The focus of this course is on the Human Resource Management (HRM) cycle of employer branding, recruitment, selection, training, performance management and internal career planning. Students also explore the special needs of remote working (Nomad). Students are exposed to HRIS relating to performance management. Prerequisite: HRMT 622 (HRMT 623 recommended).

HRMT 625 – Management & Employee Relations 

This course focuses on industrial relations and strategic compensation packages that all organizations must address, as well as the Canadian labour market considerations and issues of strategies for attracting and retaining talent. The course is part of three electives offered to students wishing to earn a designation from CPHR after fulfilling their MBA requirements. Students explore a systematic framework for designing a compensation package that adds value to an organization. They examine labour unions and the labour laws of Canada and British Columbia, as well as employee satisfaction and retention, employee benefits and compensation, occupational health and safety, and employee separation. Prerequisite: HRMT 622. Corequisite: HRMT 623.

MGMT 643 – Change Management 

Students investigate intervention theory surrounding the dynamics of change. Methods of aligning organizational structures with strategy within environmental vagaries are explored. Change agent models are reviewed and data collection, content analysis and feedback mechanisms outlined to assist the organization achieve risk reduction through harnessing creative, proactive response.

MGMT 645 – Negotiation 

Negotiation is the art and science of obtaining agreements between two or more interdependent parties. Students recognize that theory and processes of negotiation are practiced in a variety of settings, the components of an effective negotiation and analyze their own behavior in negotiations. The course is experiential, providing students with opportunities to develop their skills by participating in negotiation exercises and integrating their experiences with the principles presented in the assigned readings and class discussions.

MGMT 656 – Leadership for STEM Professionals

The course is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively lead and manage teams of technical professionals in the ever-evolving landscape of engineering, science and technology. This course focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by leaders in technical fields, emphasizing the development of leadership capabilities, effective communication and strategic decision-making. Through case studies, practical exercises and industry guest speakers, students will gain insights into the dynamics of technical teams, learn how to foster innovation and enhance their ability to drive organizational success in engineering, scientific and technological contexts. Prerequisite: MGMT 601

MGMT 660 – Leadership and Decision Making

This course develops student leadership capabilities by focusing on how leaders make decisions in organizational settings and in everyday life. Students employ heuristic and analysis to decision-making processes and their ethical implications. Four core competencies support successful leaders: the ability to communicate vision and strategy in simple, direct and relevant language; living and refining a coherent philosophy of leadership; being critically reflective and aware of how individual biographies shape our behaviours and relationships; and constant experimenting with creative and innovative ways of decision making and problem solving. Students engage in action learning by drawing from their learning in the program and developing their leadership capabilities through a series of weekly exercises, a paper-based and/or computer-based business simulation and targeted case studies.

MGMT 670 – Intercultural Communication

Students build a foundation in cross-cultural communication theory and the importance of image projection in the 21st Century. They identify appropriate means and methods of communication and interpret cultural differences and sensitivities through a range of regional exercises. Students then design, summarize, and recite a cultural overview of a country through a nation branding presentation.

MRKT 623 – Digital Marketing Strategies

Students acquire domain expertise in digital marketing, evolving marketing channels, strategies and marketing integration, in pursuit of both short and long-term business goals. They explore proven practical examples of strategy selection, implementation and management, and how competitive advantage is created and leveraged over time and distance in the context of rapidly evolving technologies and practices. Students plan and execute a digital marketing campaign as part of a digital marketing strategy. Prerequisite: MRKT 621.

MRKT 625 – Marketing Promotion 

Students are introduced to the field of Marketing Promotion from an integrated marketing communications (IMC) perspective. The course emphasizes the importance of messaging and utilizing multiple media vehicles to achieve specific communications and consumer behavioural objectives, and reaching defined target groups through the use of promotional strategies and tactics, the design of promotional materials and promotional campaigns. Students are equipped to critically analyze and apply inter-related communication strategies and tactics. Prerequisite: MRKT 621

MRKT 627 – International Marketing 

Students apply conceptual schema and marketing principles in international marketing contexts. They examine and assess how socio-cultural, economic and political circumstances influence global consumer needs, design and their implementation of the marketing mix, and market entry strategies. Students learn how to assess, identify and target local, regional and national market potential and decision-making skills for conducting sophisticated competitor, business risk assessment and international supply chain logistics. Prerequisite: MRKT 621.

MRKT 630 – Sustainable Marketing

Sustainability approaches are no longer optional in current marketing as they can lead to a higher value proposition of products, successful sales and a loyal customer base through long-term, well-thought-out strategies. A sustainable marketing strategy assists organizations in establishing and maintaining relationships with society, existing and prospective customers. Students focus on environmental challenges and consumer values, sustainable buying behaviour, green marketing mix, globalization and rivalry on access to the scarce natural resources, unintended ecological consequences in marketing decisions, sustainable and green products, services and methods. Prerequisite: Completion of Tier 1

BUSI 645 – E-Commerce

Students explore monetized goods or services and transactional business ideas primarily for an e-commerce channel. They are provided foundational online business planning models for good business decision-making and problem-solving related to e-commerce. They investigate e-commerce business models, digital infrastructure, building an e-commerce presence, security, payment systems, digital and traditional marketing, online social media networks, and ethical, social and political issues in e-commerce. Students are given access to micro-credentials and qualifications from recognized e-commerce partners. Prerequisites: MRKT 621 and OPMT 620

OPMT 621 – Supply Chain Management

Supply Chain Management (SCM) evaluates the importance of the concepts and principles of SCM to allow students to discover the components of SCM, such as procurement, production, inventory management and distribution. Learn how to analyze and optimize these components to create an efficient and effective supply chain. The course also covers the role of technology in supply chain management, including the use of software systems to manage inventory and track shipments. Topics include supplier selection, demand forecasting, strategic sourcing, sustainability, digital technologies and SCM resilience. Students will assess the fundamentals of SCM to discover and compare the various current trends and issues affecting the industry . Prerequisite: OPMT 620

OPMT 622 – Logistics & Transportation Management

Logistics and transportation is a field of study that focuses on the management of the flow of goods and services from the point of origin to the point of consumption. In this course students will learn to appraise different transportation modes, assess distribution requirement planning methods, third-party logistics, warehousing and distribution. Students will appraise the strategic and operational decisions that are involved in managing transportation and logistics systems, as well as the technologies and tools used to support these activities. Additionally, students will evaluate emerging trends and issues in the industry, such as sustainability, global logistics and e-commerce logistics. Prerequisite: OPMT 620

OPMT 623 – Procurement & Inventory Management

Inventory management and procurement are essential functions for all organizations, as they optimize the total cost of ownership for products and services. Students will evaluate procurement processes to explain the importance of both strategic and tactical purchasing activities for organizations. Inventory management is crucial in enabling organizations to make informed stocking decisions. Students will determine how it encompasses management of finished products, cost accounting and significant manufacturing expenses to ensure smooth flow of goods and services. The key areas within this domain include supplier selection, inventory and order management, quality assurance, supply risk management, auctions, and contract management. Students will elaborate the uses of quantitative techniques to develop valuable insights for analysis and decision-making. Students undertaking this subject are expected to formulate and solve “real-world” problems, analyzing the outcomes from the perspective of a procurement manager. Prerequisite: OPMT 620

MGMT 641 – Advanced Project Management 

This course builds on MGMT 640, Project Management by taking a project-based approach to the subject. It focuses on an in-depth study of project management’s key pillars. The areas of study include project portfolio management, discovery/feasibility analysis, planning, procurement/contract management/negotiations, organizational change management, risk management, performance management, benefit realization, lessons learned vs retrospectives and a closer look at selected agile project management practices including PMI’s ACP and Disciplined Agile Discipline. This includes lectures, case analysis, and formal presentations through role playing and team collaboration. Prerequisite: MGMT 640.

MGMT 642 – Agile Project Management 

This course focuses on the core components of Agile project management, examining how it is distinct from traditional project management. It provides the students with the strategies and techniques for successful Agile project implementation, such as modelling, prioritising, timeboxing, user stories, and estimating, as well as take a more in-depth look at the fundamental Agile concepts of adaptive planning, customer collaboration, and value- driven delivery in dynamic and often highly constrained environments. This course will take a more practical approach to teaching agile project management by enabling the students to apply their knowledge to project scenario(s) analysis. Prerequisite: OPMT 620.

MGMT 648 – Professional Project Management

The Professional Project Management Course will illustrate project management methodologies, techniques and best practices, so as to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage complex projects. The course covers the 10 Project Management knowledge areas, integration, scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication, risk, procurement and stakeholder along with key topics such as agile. Prerequisites: MGMT 640 and MGMT 642

RSCH 600 – Graduate Research Methods

Graduate Research Methods provides the necessary skills to ethically and critically evaluate, interpret, debate, modify and design methods of applied research skills needed throughout the MBA program. Topics include ethical considerations in research, developing and refining research topics, crafting a problem statement, formulating research questions and hypotheses, and analyzing and presenting their findings. Students evaluate and debate the quality of published literature and analyze and draw inferences from a variety of recent raw data by employing critical thinking skills. Students write a research review that includes the abstract, introduction, theoretical background, problem statement, research methodology, evidence, discussion and conclusion.

MBAR 661 – Academic Research Project (recommended)

The Academic Research Project, the final stage in the MBA degree, is an empirical study completed independently or in small team of two students under the direction of an assigned academic supervisor and second reader. Students are assessed on the quality of the final paper and their ability to conduct ethical research and to analyze the results and implications of the study outcomes. The project is important not only to advance and apply what students have learned in the MBA program, but also for the value it delivers to the academic discipline under study. Research papers/chapter should be ready for submission to a conference venue or a refereed journal/ book publication. Students can suggest a faculty supervisor but the supervisor is designated by the corresponding department chair. To fulfill the course requirements, students must conduct an oral presentation of their academic research manuscript to members of a panel designated by the course lead. MBAR 661 must be completed within two consecutive academic terms. To enrol in this course, prospective students or faculty need to submit a research proposal to the course leader two weeks before the upcoming term registration. Once the proposal is approved, the official registration will be completed. MBAR 661 is the ideal course for those students interested in research work, knowledge dissemination or future university academic/research careers. Prerequisites: Completion of 18 core credits and BUSI 650

Electives

Students taking the Research Elective Area must also take one 600-level elective.

Learning methods

Our MBA program is delivered by a team of dedicated and highly knowledgeable professors with many years of industry experience. The MBA program is available on campus or online. You will learn through a combination of the following methods:

  • Lectures and class discussions
  • Studying academic literature
  • Looking closely at case studies
  • Listening to fellow classmates’ experiences

Academic Standing

Students must remain in Good Academic Standing to continue their studies at UCW. To remain in Good Academic Standing, graduate students must maintain a 3.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). For full details about Academic Standing, refer to the current Academic Calendar here.

Entry Requirements

Applicants to the MBA program may qualify for direct admission based on the following requirements:

  1. A cumulative GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.33 scale) or better in a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.

AND

  1. One of the following:
    • A suitable score on a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) that has been written in the last five (5) years.
    • A relevant Canadian professional designation or equivalent international designation (e.g., CPA, CA, CGA, CMA, CHRP or P.Eng).
    • Bachelor’s degree in business or a STEM-related program from a recognized university.
    • A minimum of three (3) years documented professional or management experience with evidence of career progression and relevant education and/or training.

AND

  1. If your first language is not English, submit an IELTS score of at least 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in the writing band) or equivalent (TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo etc.) OR successful completion of UCW’s University Access Program (UAP) with a Grade Point Average of at least 70%. If your first language is English and you can demonstrate that you graduated from a recognized degree program in an English-speaking country, the English IELTS score or equivalent requirement is waived.

MBA-ACCA Pathway

ACCA students can now fulfill their full ACCA qualification at the same time as earning their MBA from University Canada West.

Students who are pursuing, or want to pursue, a ACCA Strategic Professional certificate are now eligible to directly join the UCW MBA program and/or complete their ACCA Strategic Professional qualification consecutively. UCW students can pursue two internationally recognized qualifications.

More information can be found here.

English Proficiency

The Admission Committee may require further proof of English language proficiency from applicants who attended English language-based education systems if the Committee sees deficiencies in language proficiency when the application package is reviewed.

English is the language of instruction at University Canada West. If your first language is not English, you must submit proof of English Proficiency as specified in the English Proficiency section of this website.

English language test scores are valid for admission purposes for a maximum of 2 years from the date of the test.

On-Campus MBA Tuition Fees

2024 Fees
Domestic
International
Number of Courses 15 15
Cost per course $1983*** $2709***
Total Tuition Fees $29,745 $40,635

2025 Fees
Domestic
International
Number of Courses 15 15
Cost per course $2,082*** $2,885***
Total Tuition Fees $31,230 $43,275

2026 Fees
Domestic
International
Number of Courses 15 15
Cost per course $2,186*** $3,073***
Total Tuition Fees $32,790 $46,095

Tuition deposit for international students: $7,900

First term tuition deposit for domestic students: $500

*30% discount applies for Canadian Forces members and veterans on all programs.

**Students taking MRKT 621 will be charged an extra $150 fee to access Digital Marketing Institute modules and membership.

***Additional costs related to textbooks and materials for each course are not included in tuition.

Graduation Requirements

UCW students must fulfil the requirements listed in the Academic Calendar in order to be eligible to graduate. For full details about Graduation Eligibility, refer to the current Academic Calendar here.