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School of Business & Entrepreneurship

Master of Business Administration

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Why pursue a Master of Business Administration Degree at North Central College?

You want to rise as a business leader that creates meaningful change and you have the drive to grow personally and professionally. Recently recognized on the 2025 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online MBA Programs list, North Central's program will equip you with the latest business strategies and critical skills to set you apart. Courses will prepare you for advanced management and provide a growing professional network to help you take your career to the next level. 

The professional development experience provides you with mentorship from Chicagoland business leaders and opportunities to network with colleagues while engaging in value-added seminars. Online courses are taught by experienced, full-time faculty.

You will walk away with:

  • Insights and abilities to bring value to your organization on day one and get noticed.
  • A broadened network of business professionals, faculty and alumni that will collaborate and support each other’s careers.
  • The potential to expand your career with promotions, new jobs, maintaining industry relevance, and career longevity

Program Overview

Degree Features 

  • Courses delivered in an online, asynchronous format
  • No GMAT and no prerequisites
  • Virtual Professional Development Experience featuring keynote speakers and opportunities to network with business professionals, classmates, and faculty 
  • Unique core focused on business fundamentals that industry leaders need, such as analytics and strategic management across several disciplines.
  • Ability to customize electives to meet your goals and interests

Specialization Options

Students can receive a general MBA or receive an MBA in one of three areas of specialization: 

North Central also offers a One-Year MBA program that begins in the Fall semester and can be completed in three semesters. 

Learning Outcomes

  • Ability to convey business concepts and original and creative solutions in a coherent and professional manner
  • Ability to apply data analysis, interpretation, and presentation skills to advanced and complex business situations
  • Awareness and importance of managing global and multicultural personnel in a professional setting for international organizations
  • Understanding of the ethical and social responsibilities of companies, organizations, and business professionals
  • Expertise in the application of a broad range of business concepts

How to Apply

Launch your degree in the Fall, Summer, or Spring semester! Click below for more information regarding deadlines and application instructions. 

Start Your application

 

Cost of Attendance and Scholarships

Graduate students are eligible for up to $20,500 in the federal direct unsubsidized loan annually; this includes Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

North Central offers several scholarships and awards to help reduce tuition costs by up to 20%!

Cost of Attendance >

 

Scholarships >

 

Contact Us

Have a question? Contact Samantha Sarff, Graduate Admissions Enrollment & Student Engagement Specialist. Email Sam at ssarff@noctrl.edu or use the link below to book a virtual appointment.

Book an appointment with sam

 

Master of Business Administration Curriculum

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is 12 courses (36 credit hours):

  • A core set of five courses focused on business fundamentals.
  • Four courses focused on business administration.
  • Flexibility to customize three electives plus a professional development experience that sets the foundation to launch or advance your career.

Courses are offered in asynchronous, seven-week sessions allowing you to learn on your own schedule. Take one course every session and complete your degree in two years. We also offer a one-year (12 months) MBA program that starts in the fall of each year.

Business Administration, M.B.A.

A minimum of 36 credit hours: 15 credits of core courses, 12 credits in Business Administration courses and 9 credits of elective/specialization courses.

*Note: At least 21 credit hours must be unique to the MBA degree program.

Core Courses

Business Administration Courses

Specialization Options

  • Financial Management Specialization (choose 9 credits):
    • MFIN 610 - Financial Analysis and Insights 
    • MFIN 620 - Internal Controls and Data Security in the Digital Age 
    • MFIN 630 - International Trade, Taxes and Transfer Pricing 
    • MFIN 640 - Merger, Acquisitions and Other Business Combinations 
    • MSPT 609 - Financial Models in Sport 
  • Human Resource Management Specialization (choose 9 credits):
    • MHRM 515 - Strategic Human Resource Management 
    • MHRM 625 - Recruitment and Selection 
    • MHRM 645 - Workforce Training and Development 
    • MHRM 655 - Compensation and Benefits 
  • International Business Specialization:
    • MBUS 616 - Business in Emerging Markets 
    • MBUS 622 - Global Marketing Management 
    • MFIN 630 - International Trade, Taxes and Transfer Pricing 
  • General Electives (no specialization)
    • Nine credit hours of graduate-level elective credit from Business Administration, Financial Management, Higher Education Leadership, Human Resource Management, Liberal Studies, Organizational Leadership, Professional and Creative Writing or Sport Leadership
    •  Nine credits in Nursing is available with admission into the Master of Science in Nursing program

Residency Experience

Students must attend at least one Residency Experience, a distinguishing feature of the MBA degree. Students are immersed in a professional development conference atmosphere with content that bolsters our liberal arts approach to business education. These experiences are not directly tied to specific course content but provides students with relevant training in areas such as:

  • Data Analytics and Visualization
  • Leadership and Talent Development
  • Professionalism and Ethical Responsibilities
  • Personal and Professional Selling
  • Physical, Mental and Financial Health
  • Creativity, Curiosity and Idea Generation

MAster of business administration Faculty

Our faculty have real-world experience and are able to bring case studies into your virtual classroom. Although our degree is online, the business faculty are accessible for you to reach out and connect. 

Accounting Faculty

Economics and Finance Faculty

Entrepreneurship Faculty

Human Resources Faculty

International Business

Management Faculty

Marketing Faculty

Professional Development Experiences

As an important piece of your professional development, you are required to attend one virtual experience during your master's degree. A professional development experience provides you with opportunities to interact with business leaders willing to serve as mentors, meet program faculty, network with peers, and participate in value-added seminars specially designed to significantly enhance your career potential.

The professional development events are a unique feature of our program and are offered in a conference format with speakers and break out sessions, rather than a course led by one instructor. 

Professional Development Topics

Experienced professionals and guest speakers will host workshops and events on a variety of topics, which may include:

  • Data Analytics and Visualization
  • Leadership and Talent Development 
  • Professionalism and Ethical Responsibilities
  • Personal and Professional Selling 
  • Physical, Mental and Financial Health
  • Creativity, Curiosity and Idea Generation

"The MBA program at North Central College is preparing me for promotional opportunities within my current organization. I am confident that the concepts I am learning will lead to new roles and increased responsibilities within the workplace."

Kristie R. MBA, '25

MBA Student Profiles

Justin Simbol '20/M '24 

While earning his MBA, Justin Simbol's experience in the College’s Coffee Lab ignited a passion and paved a path toward starting his career with Dutch Bros. Coffee. Explore how North Central empowers and equips students to pursue their passions through Simbol's story. 

 

Marcedes Jackson '22/M '24

Join Marcedes Jackson in her athletic and academic triumphs at North Central College. Like finding the perfect pair of running shoes, North Central felt like the right fit for Jackson, where she excelled both on the track and in the classroom. From setting school records in sprinting to pursuing a master's in business administration, Jackson's dedication and perseverance inspire others to embrace the journey and strive for success. Discover how North Central College fosters excellence in athletics and academics through Jackson's remarkable story.

Marcedes Jackson

Graduate Online Learning

Online does not mean unsupported! Online courses are delivered through Canvas, which gives students access to 24/7 online support. Additionally, the North Central College experience means you are closely connected to faculty and staff, who are always happy to lend a helping hand. Our faculty are committed to getting to know their online students and work diligently to foster community within the program.

Campus Resources for Online Students

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