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Master of Business Administration

At Cornerstone University, you can take your next step in leading as an influencer in a constantly changing field with the practical and dynamic experience in a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Be equipped for what lies ahead as you advance with core business disciplines to strengthen your leadership and add value to your organization. Experience a quality degree accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Pursue that promotion or career opportunity in areas like business analysis, small business management and strategic planning with tenacity and wisdom as you engage in a global economy.

Format

  • On Campus
  • Online

Location

  • Grand Rapids
  • Online

Credit Hours

  • 38

Concentrations

With your choice of one of four specialized concentrations, you’ll advance your knowledge and experience in the field that you work in or aspire to be.

Project Management: Lead in today’s project-based environment with experience and confidence through specialized courses in risk management and foundational concepts in project management. Add value to your organization through career opportunities in product development and consulting.

Global Business: Explore today’s global marketplace by identifying issues with courses in international practices and business leadership. Advance in careers like international relations and global economics.

Finance: Develop leadership traits to support your organization’s bottom line and direction through course topics like financial planning and global policy issues. Explore career opportunities in corporate finance, insurance and banking.

Health Care: Advance in administrative roles in health care with the knowledge and experience of developing solutions to real-world problems as you add value to your career and influence. Course topics include outcomes management, regulatory issues and a final capstone project.

Admission Requirements

  • Application
  • A completed bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.7 GPA from an accredited institution
  • Official college and/or military transcripts
  • No GMAT required

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Next Program Start

Advance in leadership in the format that best suits you. Choose to take your core courses on campus or online.

Fall 2023

Classes start on Aug. 30 and Oct. 25, 2023

Spring 2024

Classes start on Jan. 16 and Mar. 13, 2024

90%

Of students work full time while pursuing a degree.

6

Online MBA ranked No. 6 in Michigan (U.S. News & World Report, 2021).

100%

Of faculty members are professing believers of Jesus Christ.

Courses and
Learning Outcomes

Courses in the MBA program center around the six essential disciplines in business, including economics, accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behavior and entrepreneurship. You’ll also select one concentration in health care, finance, project management or global business for an additional three courses.

Achieving your goal of a degree is closer within your reach as a graduate of Cornerstone University’s traditional undergraduate program. Take advantage of applying courses you’ve previously taken to count toward your advanced degree.

Advanced Standing

Core Courses

BUS-505 Research Methods

An examination of research methods available for the 21st century organization and statistical concepts useful for data-driven decision making. Focus is placed on the systematic process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting research articles and data to answer a specific research question. The course will also introduce students to basic descriptive and inferential statistical tools within the context of a business related problem.

BUS-503 Ethics, Values and Social Responsibility

A theoretical and practical overview of ethics theory, values formation and ethical decision making within the context of management and leadership. Ethics and values are presented from a Judeo-Christian perspective with emphasis on workable models for ethical decision making and social responsibility at both the professional and personal level.

BUS-507 Quantitative Analysis

A study of quantitative techniques useful in business decision-making. Topics include exploratory analysis, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics: t-tests, analysis of variance, correlation, regression and chi-square analysis.

MGT-531 Organizational Behavior and Change

The study of the behavior of individuals and teams within organizations based on current management theory. Emphasis is given to understanding, predicting, motivating and changing work-related behaviors in organizations. Key topics include organizational structure, understanding culture, power, diversity, leadership and communication within the organization.

ACC-525 Accounting for Decision-Making

An examination of contemporary accounting issues for managers, such as principles, techniques and uses of accounting in the planning and decision making of organizations. The use of information technology plays a key role in this course. Areas of emphasis include the budgetary process, performance evaluation techniques, product costing methods, constraint management and ethics.

FIN-643 Managerial Finance

A study of essential concepts of financial management including working capital management, capital budgeting, capital structures, planning, time value of money and dividend policy. Prerequisite: ACC-525.

MKT-651 Marketing Strategies

A case-method course using real marketing issues as a means to learn how to synthesize marketing fundamentals into effective and practical solutions.

ECN-530 Economics

A study of the decision-making skills necessary for managers and entrepreneurs in the context of the macroeconomic environment and the application of microeconomic price theory as it pertains to human capital issues. Readings include essays by several Nobel prize-winning economists. Further, the course challenges students to develop a Christ-centered worldview regarding economic issues pertinent to managers.

MGT-539 Entrepreneurship and Innovation

A focused study of the tools needed in identifying and capitalizing on entrepreneurial business opportunities, methods for managing those opportunities and critical thinking skills needed for innovation and growth. Students work with a team to design an entrepreneurial venture. Additional topics include stimulating new ideas, managing innovative ideas, adapting to change and individual and group roles in the creative process.

Finance Concentration

FIN-645 Advanced Managerial Finance

An exploration of advanced methods and techniques important to the financial success of an organization. Topics include cash management, capitalization issues, risk management, ethical and legal issues in financial decision-making and approaches to financial planning. Students learn to assess the financial operations and positions of an organization using various analysis methods. Prerequisite: FIN-643.

FIN-646 Global Finance

A study of crucial concepts and tools to strategically manage international financial activities. Students will develop an understanding of policy issues affecting international trade and finance. Other topics covered include the role and impact of international trade policies on the global economy and financial markets, currency markets, international financial systems and management and macroeconomic policies. Prerequisite: FIN-645.

FIN-647 Entrepreneurial Finance

An introduction to current thinking in the areas of valuation, real options such as mergers and acquisitions, and the economics of contracts to a new venture decision. Topics include investment analysis, financing the entrepreneurial firm, harvesting, the role of angel investors, incubators, venture capital and financial contracts. Prerequisite: FIN-646.

Global Business Concentration

BUS-509 International Business Practices

An examination of the environmental and cultural issues facing global organizations. Emphasis is given to global business operations and processes in practice. Additional issues covered include allocation of global resources, theoretical foundations surrounding global trade and financial management, and the challenges and opportunities of developing strategies for the global organization

ECN-513 Global Economic Environment

A focus on the global economic environment as a basis for decision making within a global business. Topics include the impact of globalization on the economies of the United States, Europe, Asia and other world economies, exchange rate theory and political regimes. Prerequisite: ECN-530.

BUS-516 Global Business Leadership

Global Business Leadership will allow students to comprehend, apply, synthesize, analyze and evaluate concepts, models, theories and ideas related to the complexities of cultural differences within a globalized business environment. Topics will include cultural differences, cultural intelligences, the effects of culture on ethical decision-making, and Hofstede’s classic model and typology of national cultures, along with critiques of this model, critiques of cultural intelligence, and what empirical research indicates about solving business problems in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religions society, both in the United States and internationally.

Health Care Concentration

MGT-534 Theory and Quality Outcomes Management

A study of lean quality management principles, theories and application to the health care environment. Focusing on managing health care quality, safety and outcomes, the course emphasizes the use of tools and techniques to manage and lead quality improvements and drive successful clinical outcomes.

BUS-504 Ethical, Legal and Regulatory Issues for Health Care

A study of the historical and current views of ethics and regulations of health care delivery and the impact of the regulatory environment on availability of services. Students examine principles and practical applications of ethics and laws that affect operational decisions of health care providers, health plans, third-party payers and managers. Additional topics include a discussion of the for-profit and not-for-profit delivery models.

MGT-697 Applied Health Care Project

A project-based capstone course in which the student will demonstrate the ability to integrate health care education and practical experience by selecting a problem of practice at work and implementing a plan for improvement and/or action research or a program evaluation to solve the problem or improve the issue. Prerequisites: MGT-534 and BUS-504.

Project Management Concentration

BUS-530 Fundamentals of Project Management

An exploration of the framework and fundamental methodologies of project management. Topics include foundational concepts such as requirements gathering, scope management, change control and time management, as well as an introduction to common tools, techniques and the process required to become a certified Project Manager.

BUS-531 Cost, Quality and Team Management

An exploration of a variety of project management principles necessary to manage the resources of a project. Specific topics include project budgeting, cost estimation and control, quality assurance and control, acquiring, developing, and managing a project team, conflict management and negotiation skills. Prerequisite: BUS-530.

BUS-532 Communications and Risk Management

A study of the principles of effective communication, including managing risks, issues and stakeholder expectations. Topics include the methodology for identifying, measuring and responding to risks and issues, as well as the professional and social responsibilities of project management. Prerequisite: BUS-531.

Program Learning Outcomes

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree provides leadership skills in core business principles of marketing, organizational behavior, entrepreneurship, finance, accounting, economics and statistics. Through a practical curriculum anchored in Christ-centered virtues, you’ll add value to your career and cultivate positive influence in your work and your community. With your dedication to taking your next step toward your career goals, you’ll excel as a character-driven leader that makes your teams better and sets your organization on a path toward success.

Proficiency in Terminology, Theories, Concepts, Practices and Skills

Students will demonstrate proficiency in the terminology, theories, concepts, practices and skills specific to business administration in the 21st-century workforce. In accomplishing this objective, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the core business disciplines of economics, accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behavior and entrepreneurship.
  • Exhibit knowledge of a specialized disciplinary concentration within business administration.
  • Analyze and resolve business issues related to the core disciplines and concentration areas of business administration.
  • Use business administration language to evaluate solutions applicable for business excellence.

Competency in Applying Knowledge to Address Real-Life Problems

Students will exhibit competency in applying your knowledge to address real-life business problems through both individual and group effort. At the end of this program, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate emotional intelligence and personal management skills germane to the needs of 21st-century business employers.
  • Collaborate with others in achieving shared objectives of the business administration program.
  • Exhibit business writing and speaking skills desired by employers in the 21st-century workplace.
  • Use knowledge of empirical and theoretical research to solve 21st-century business issues, challenges and problems.

Integration of Traditional and Normative Skills

Students will demonstrate your ability to integrate traditional and normative skills expected of students in the liberal arts tradition, including analytical skills, information literacy, quantitative competency and communication fluency.

Intercultural Competence

Students will demonstrate intercultural competence in addressing civic, social, environmental and economic issues within the 21st-century business workplace.

Articulation of a Christ-Centered Worldview

Students will articulate a Christ-centered worldview to include its personal, professional and communal embodiment through Christian virtues.

The entire program was relevant to the work I do. My goal was to make myself more marketable for the next level of leadership—I wanted to make sure I was well educated and prepared for the next step in my career. I’m excited to see what doors will open.

Tammi Tyson (MBA ’17)

Related Programs

Our programs incorporate a range of opportunities to advance your career both at the master’s and doctoral levels. Here are some other pathways related to a Master of Business Administration.

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Hours

MON - FRI: 8 a.m. - 5. p.m.
SAT & SUN: Closed

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