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Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code: 52.0201
International students graduating from online programs are not eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) due to the eligibility criteria outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

This program is also available in Hybrid Mode (in-person and online guided learning).

The online MBA syllabus is focused on enhancing competencies across areas such as leadership, critical thinking, project planning and a host of further advanced business disciplines. Each program module is led by an experienced UCW academic, whose role is to encourage discussion and debate to facilitate active student participation, and to provide guidance and feedback. 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.

Those who graduate from this ACBSP and NCMA-accredited MBA program will find themselves more capable of responding strategically to challenges within the business environment presents. You will learn to take responsibility for important decisions, with the ability to explain yourself and your ideas.

Learning what is required of an effective leader, you will become confident in your management skills, as well as your ability to solve business problems.

New students entering the program can choose between specializations in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Leadership, Supply Chain Management or Business Analytics.

New students can also opt for one of six elective areas.

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.

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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.

Students can also qualify to earn certifications, including 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).

Benefits of studying online

Studying online comes with a variety of benefits. You can choose flexible hours to fit around any commitments you may have, be it personal or professional. With video lectures, and all course materials provided, you won’t feel any less prepared than those who’ve studied on campus.

Online study is becoming increasingly popular because of the increased flexibility it offers. Studying online means that you can work on professional development while obtaining an academic qualification. This will make you more prepared when it comes to securing employment in a managerial position.

Why study online MBA?

  • Enjoy the flexibility to work as you study
  • Professional and personal progression
  • Network with a global community of students
  • Access to high quality e-learning resources

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.

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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:

·  Construct strategic responses to business challenges/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.

·  Collaborate effectively as a business leader and team member in cross-cultural and global contexts to achieve common goals.

·  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.

Employability

Academica Group has been surveying our MBA graduates one year 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

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The MBA content is delivered online via:

Course Structure

The online MBA follows the same structure as its on-campus alternative differing only in delivery method. This program is created for those who cannot fit an on-campus program around their other commitments.

Starting in the Summer 2025 Term, students pursuing an MBA at UCW will join a cohort based on when they start their first term. All students in the same cohort will progress through the program together for the first two terms by taking three core courses each term. Core courses will be offered on multiple days and at different times. In your third term, you will take two core courses and you will select your first elective. In your fourth term, you will take one core course and choose two electives. In your fifth and final term, you will take two core courses and a Capstone Experience Course(s) opt for Course-based Learning Courses.

Students pursuing an MBA part-time will progress at a different pace through the Cohort System. 

For further information about the Cohort System see this FAQ.

Students who started their MBA program before the Summer 2025 Term should refer to the Academic Calendar for more information about their degree pathway. 

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.

BUSI 601- Ethics, Sustainability and Social Context 

Students will explore the Canadian business context, including the impact of social, technical, environmental, and political factors. A wide range of diagnostic tools (PESTEL, Porter’s five forces, VRIO, and others) will be applied to analyze the external business environment and stakeholders with an emphasis on Canada and its Indigenous peoples. Students will explore sustainability and evaluate the implications of ethical decision making for business stakeholders. They will practice triple bottom line and sustainability thinking to appreciate business challenges in different industries. 

ACCT 621 — Accounting for Managers 

The Accounting for Managers course is designed to help students understand and apply accounting, “the language of business”. Students are initially introduced to financial reporting and then taught to use quantitative and qualitative analysis to enhance management decision making. In their learning journeys, students will develop relevant real-world skills, such as conducting thorough case analysis, integrating accounting knowledge with other business subject areas, and communicating, verbally and in writing, ethical and sustainable recommendations. Non-Course Prerequisite/ Co-requisite: FACC 099 Workshop Recommended 

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: Completion of 3 credits. 

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: Completion of 6 credits including ACCT 621. 

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: Completion of 6 credits. 

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. Prerequisite: Completion of 12 credits. 

MRKT 621 – Marketing Management  

This course aims to develop and enhance students’ skills in marketing activities, focusing on planning and executing strategies such as analyzing the marketing environment and applying the four Ps—product, price, place, and promotion—to deliver value to all stakeholders, including consumers, partners, and society, while achieving organizational objectives. Students will explore topics such as market analysis, segmentation, positioning, consumer behaviour, marketing research, business-to-business marketing, product development, branding, pricing, distribution, and promotion. Additionally, they will practice developing marketing plans that are economically viable, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable, integrating principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous perspectives (EDII). Please note that students enrolled in MRKT 621 will be charged an additional $150 fee to access the Digital Marketing Institute’s Certified Digital Marketing Associate (CDMA) program and membership. Prerequisite: Completion of 15 credits including BUSI 601. 

One (1) elective. Prerequisite: Completion of 15 credits including current prerequisite of elective course.  

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: Completion of 21 credits. 

Two (2) electives. Prerequisite: Completion of 24 credits including current prerequisite of elective course.  The course will focus on the connection among HR, finance, marketing, operations, and growth strategies for small businesses. This is one of the MBA completion options and must be taken in the last term. Prerequisites: Completion of 30 core credits. Non-Course Pre-requisite/ Co-requisite: Students must take BUSI 660 in their final term.

Capstone Experience Course (apply) or Course-based Learning  (select)  

MBAC 660 - MBA Consulting Capstone Project: Students will work individually or in small groups on a project with a client. Students are encouraged to take on projects that are in an area that will assist them in their long-term career goal. The Capstone project is one where students get to showcase the integrated learning from their MBA experience. The instructor is there as a guide and mentor and will hold weekly office hours and/or 'class' collaboration sessions but there will be no classes. Students are expected to carry out the work individually or in their teams and aim for excellence in presenting their final presentation and paper to the client. Prerequisite: Completion of 30 credits. 

MBAE 660 - Launch your Business: The practical applied course focuses on creation, evaluation, development and launch readiness of a new business or social venture. The course is one of the completion options for UCW’s MBA degree. 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, ethical, EDI and legal considerations. Throughout this course, students refine their venture’s business model based on instructor and peer feedback. Prerequisite: Completion of 30 credits. 

MBAP 660 - MBA Practicum: Students will gain practical experience working for an employer on assigned tasks relevant to their MBA degree program studies. Training and guidance will be provided by the employer supervisor during the practicum. Students will apply the training and direction of the supervisor to a set of assigned tasks over the period of 12 weeks. Students will set a learning plan at the start of their practicum with the employer supervisor, and performance will be assessed by the employer mid-term and at the end of the term. In the course, students will prepare a weekly journal and final report documenting their experience, key activities and learning outcomes. This course is one of the UCW MBA degree completion options and offers students an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained during the MBA degree program to an employer environment in Canada. Students need to apply for this course through the Practicum coordinator; after approval from the Practicum coordinator, students can register for this course. Prerequisite: Completion of 30 credits. 

MBAR 660 - MBA Academic Research Project: The Academic Research Project, offered in the final stage in the MBA degree, is research completed independently or in a small team of two students under the direction of an assigned academic supervisor. 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 structure to be ready for submission to a conference venue or a refereed journal/book for 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 660 must be completed within two consecutive academic terms. To enroll in this course, prospective students or faculty need to submit a research proposal to the course lead at least two weeks before the upcoming enrollment term registration. Once the proposal is approved, the official registration will be completed. MBAR 660 is the ideal course for those students interested in research work, knowledge dissemination, Ph.D. or DBA program, or future university academic/research careers. Students are encouraged to complete RSCH 600 research methodology before taking the MBAR 660 course. Prerequisite: Completion of 30 credits.

OR  

Course-Based Learning (take all three): 

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. Prerequisites: Completion of 30 credits. 

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, which includes a mindset and reflection towards sustainability and IIDE. 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, industry practices, ESG and EDII. Class presentations and discussions enhance student communication and analytical skills related to technology. Prerequisites: Completion of 33 credits.  

BUSI 660- Small Business Management 

Students working in teams are provided with a case study involving a small business and create a proposal to diagnose and fix any problems in the case. They make a presentation to the instructor who evaluates the proposal based on their real-world experience and training. This provides students who do not qualify or do not wish to take any of the four other Capstone Experience courses the means to demonstrate the compilation of understanding required upon completion of the MBA degree. Prerequisites: Completion of 33 credits. 

Specializations

The Specialization in Supply Chain Management combines current digital technology, hands-on experience with Canadian industries, and a strong focus on sustainability and ethical practices. The Specialization differentiates itself from other offerings in BC through courses that address current technological advances and business practices following the Covid-19 Pandemic, collaborations with Canadian supply chain leaders, and dedicated resources for international students to excel in the Canadian job market, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of both global and local supply chain challenges and opportunities. Development of this specialization was supported by a consultant’s report that documented the need for more MBAs with supply chain management expertise. 

Three courses:  

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: Completion of 15 credits including OPMT 620. 

 OPMT 622 – Logistics and Supply Chain 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, 3rd 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: Completion of 24 credits including OPMT 620. 

 OPMT 623 – Procurement and 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: Completion of 24 credits including OPMT 620. 

The Specialization in Business Analytics is supported by certifications in Microsoft Azure (Azure AI-900: Azure AI fundamental certification and Azure DP-900: Azure Data Fundamentals) and Amazon AWS (AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certificate) and stands out by emphasizing real-time, data-driven decision-making through partnerships with leading Canadian businesses, offering students access to proprietary datasets and cutting-edge tools. The program incorporates interdisciplinary perspectives, fostering collaboration with experts from diverse industries. Additionally, it provides a strong support network for students, ensuring smooth integration into the Canadian job market and developing future leaders in data-driven business innovation. 

Three courses:  


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. Prerequisite: Completion of 15 credits including 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: Completion of 24 credits including 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. Prerequisite: Completion of 24 credits. 

The Specialization in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Leadership equips graduates with strategic, ethical, and innovative leadership skills to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape and apply the Artificial Intelligence principles in Business. This specialization combines business management principles with technical AI and machine learning concepts. Additionally, it familiarizes graduate students with the leadership dynamics such as change management, negotiation, and decision-making required for STEM professionals to successfully manage and lead Artificial Intelligence projects. 

Three courses:  

 BUSI 654 – Application of AI in Business

This course explores the applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in different business domains, including marketing, finance, strategy, operations, human resources, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity (EDII), sustainability, and product development. Additionally, the course introduces AI tools and their practical applications across these domains. Prerequisites: Completion of 15 credits including BUSI 650. 

 
MGMT 654 – Leadership for Advanced Project Management 

This course combines project management principles with the complexities of AI and ML, focusing on defining project scope, scheduling, risk and cost management. It cultivates leadership skills tailored to the AI industry, emphasizing collaboration, interdisciplinary team leadership, and decision-making in unpredictable circumstances. The curriculum employs an applied learning approach, incorporating real-world case studies, hands-on projects, and professional insights for industry relevance. This course prepares students to successfully manage AI projects, serving as a key step in molding proficient AI and ML leaders. Prerequisite: Completion of 24 credits including MGMT 601. 

 
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: Completion of 24 credits including MGMT 601. 

MBA Elective Areas

Students may choose electives from a variety of fields, including Human Resources, Financial Management, Digital Marketing, Leadership, Project Management, and Entrepreneurship (see descriptions below). Each elective area consists of carefully designed courses that build specialized knowledge and practical skills, complementing the core MBA curriculum.

Electives are available in Term 3 and Term 4, with prerequisites to ensure students are prepared for advanced coursework. Students are encouraged to select electives based on their career objectives and consult with academic advisors for guidance.

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. Prerequisites: Completion of 15 credits. 

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. Prerequisites: Completion of 24 credits. 

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: Completion of 24 credits. 

FNCE 625 – Investment Analysis and Management 

Investment Analysis and Management course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of financial investments and their management, including the characteristics of different financial assets and valuation models for fixed-income securities. The purpose of this course is to offer students a practical application of financial investment theory that can benefit both potential investors and individuals seeking employment opportunities within the finance industry. It also delves into various aspects of finance, including the management of investment risks and the application of different valuation models to evaluate fixed income securities, stocks and derivatives securities. Prerequisite: Completion of 15 credits including FNCE 623. 

FNCE 627 – Personal Financial Planning 

The Personal Finance Planning course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of personal finance concepts and strategies. The course aims to equip the students with the knowledge and skills related to personal finance topics including budgeting, saving, investing, tax planning, risk management, retirement planning, and estate planning. The emphasis will be placed on different Canadian financial regulations, tax laws, and financial products. Prerequisite: Completion of 24 credits including FNCE 623. 

FNCE 630 – Sustainability and Finance 

In the Sustainability and Finance course, students will evaluate sustainability principles and determine how they relate to financial decision-making. The course focuses on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, sustainable finance instruments, methodologies and frameworks for integrating sustainability into financial decisions, key global sustainable finance initiatives and sustainable finance regulations. The course also analyzes the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a strategy for a better world and provides evidence that environmental, social and governance factors matter, explaining in detail how to incorporate these factors in the corporate and financial sectors. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to evaluate sustainability risks and opportunities. Prerequisite: Completion of 24 credits including FNCE 623. 

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: Completion of 15 credits including 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: Completion of 24 credits including HRMT 622 and HRMT 623. 

 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: Completion of 24 credits including HRMT 622 and 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. Prerequisite: Completion of 15 credits. 

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. Prerequisite: Completion of 24 credits including 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. Prerequisite: Completion of 24 credits including MGMT 601. 

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: Completion of 15 credits. 

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: Completion of 24 credits including MRKT 621 

MRKT 627 – International Marketing  

This course focuses on understanding the major issues facing international marketing managers today. It examines how socio-cultural, economic, and political circumstances influence global consumers’ needs, market entry strategies, and marketing mix implementation. Students improve their decision-making in international marketing through a comprehensive analysis of the environmental factors, competitive landscape, and business risk to develop effective global marketing strategies. Furthermore, this course examines concepts and issues related to ethics and social responsibility in international marketing. Prerequisite: Completion of 24 credits. 

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: Completion of 15 credits. 
 
MGMT 641 – Advanced Project Management  
Taught by leading project management professionals, the advanced project management course focuses on an in-depth study of project management 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. The approach adopted includes lectures, case analysis, and formalized presentations through role playing and team collaboration. Prerequisite: Completion of 24 credits. 
 
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: Completion of 24 credits including MGMT 642. 

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

Entry requirements for the MBA online are the same as the on-campus equivalent.

Essentially, whether you choose to study our MBA on-campus or online, they both end in the same result; you will graduate from UCW qualified to take on any managerial role, with the skills and confidence to do so.

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

  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.). If your first language is English and you can demonstrate that you graduated from a recognized degree in an English-speaking country, the English IELTS score or equivalent requirement is waived.

AND

  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 (e.g., Business Administration (BBA) degree or Bachelor Commerce (BCom) 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.

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.

Online MBA Tuition Fees

Tuition deposit for international students: $3,000

First term tuition deposit for domestic students: $500

*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. Textbooks cost an average of $105 per course.

Scholarships, awards and grants do not apply to online programs.

Students deferring their start date, or changing their program, will be subject to any deposit or fee increases in effect at the time the change or deferral is approved.

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.

SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR

This program is offered under the written consent of the Minister effective February 27, 2025, having undergone a quality assessment process and been found to meet the criteria established by the Minister. Nevertheless, prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (for example, acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies, or other educational institutions).