Master of Business Administration Program
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.
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.
Certified Digital Marketing Associate (CDMA)
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
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
- 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.
Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP)
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.
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.
Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR)
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).
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.
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.
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.
COURSE STRUCTURE
The program is split into four tiers that will progressively develop your skill-set, 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.
Preparatory
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.
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.
Tier 1 Analytical Foundations
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 AnalysisStudents 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).
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 AnalysisStudents 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).
Tier 2 Management Principles and Practices
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.
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.
Tier 3 Business Applications
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 ManagementThe 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.
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 ManagementThe 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 Integration and Implementation
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:
MBAR 661 – Consulting/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.
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.
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:
MBAR 661 – Consulting/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.
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 nine elective areas as you progress through your degree program. Choose from elective areas in Business Analytics, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resources Management, Leadership, Marketing, Digital Marketing and Project Management to gain specialized skills and knowledge.
You now have a choice. You can select electives in one of nine elective areas as you progress through your degree program. Choose from elective areas in Business Analytics, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resources Management, Leadership, Marketing, Digital Marketing and Project Management to gain specialized skills and knowledge.