Athabasca University

What you'll study

The program builds advanced leadership, strategy, critical thinking and decision-making capabilities with an emphasis on applying learning to current work. AU offers targeted routes—Online MBA for executives, accountants, health leaders and supply chain managers—which provide tailored coursework and credit arrangements relevant to those sectors. Courses are delivered in small cohorts (8–10 students) guided by a professor.

Entry requirements

Admission criteria depend on the chosen route. Examples from the program page include:

• Accelerated entry: a recent (within 10 years) Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Management or similar business degree plus at least three years of management experience may qualify for accelerated entry.
• Executive route without an undergraduate degree: applicants with a minimum of eight years of significant management experience may be eligible for the MBA for executives.
• Special arrangements: routes such as the Online MBA for Accountants and Supply Chain Managers have specific transfer-credit or designation-recognition arrangements (e.g., SCMP credit transfer) detailed on the program pages.

Career prospects

The curriculum is aimed at preparing experienced professionals for senior management and leadership roles across sectors. Graduates commonly pursue executive and senior manager positions; sector routes support careers in accounting leadership, health-system management (with pathway to the Certified Health Executive designation), and supply chain leadership (with SCMP credit recognition where applicable).

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Program pages list detailed tuition and fees; course fees include administration, technology and materials components. Examples shown on the program page include per-course fees for 3-credit core/elective courses and higher fees for 6-credit in-residence or capstone courses. Application and admission fees are charged at application and acceptance. Fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and subject to change; some non-academic items may have GST applied. Prospective students should consult AU’s tuition pages and the MBA Program Guide for up-to-date costs and funding options.