High-quality, Innovative MBA from a Christian Perspective
Earn your MBA at Calvin, where you’ll learn by doing, build community, and develop as a faithful leader.
ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ’s MBA combines mostly online coursework with deep opportunities to build community with a cohort, bookending your MBA with an intensive week on campus together at the beginning and end of the leadership and innovation portion of the program. With experiential learning woven throughout your coursework, you’ll dive into innovation, strategy, leadership, and if desired, an optional area of focus designed around your personal learning goals. If you’re new to the academic study of business, you’ll start with business essentials, while those already well along their way in business can jump into high level coursework. See the difference we can make when business acumen is combined with Christian values and ethics taught by industry experts—and let’s make business better together.
Once you complete the hybrid MBA program, you’ll be able to:
- Apply current theories and practices of the major business disciplines in a global context.
- Demonstrate leadership skills and the ability to work effectively in teams.
- Develop skills in leading strategic innovation and change.
- Evaluate the ethical implications of business decision making.
- Discover the ability to integrate Christian faith and business.
The Calvin MBA develops faithful leaders and innovators while also providing business essentials and allowing electives from many different disciplines. In most courses students learn experientially by engaging with real companies and professionals.
The MBA program is mostly taught asynchronous and online, which allows students flexibility to pursue the MBA as their life allows. Learning in community is a hallmark of the Calvin MBA, which is supported with student cohorts, some synchronous sessions in each course, and two 1-week summer residencies on Calvin's campus.
The MBA program comprises fifteen courses totaling 36 semester hours, which can be completed in as little as thirteen full-time months or in twenty-five part-time months.Ìý
The heart of the MBA program is a set of leadership and innovation courses totaling 15 hours taken over thirteen months with a cohort of fellow MBA students. In addition to those courses, MBA students take up to 12 hours of business essentials courses. Some or all of the business essentials courses may be waived upon admission if a student has completed similar undergraduate courses with at least a B within the past five years.
 If more than two such courses are waived, additional electives must be taken so that MBA courses total at least 30 hours. Finally, students must take 7 to 9 hours of electives. Working with an advisor, students may optionally organize electives to focus in areas such as  marketing, finance and applied communication.
Prior to taking any courses required for the Calvin MBA, students must be admitted to Calvin's MBA graduate program or another Calvin graduate program.
For detailed course descriptions, visit the .Ìý
Program Requirements
Business Essentials
- MGMT 531—Marketing Concepts
- MGMT 533—Accounting
- MGMT 535—Operations and Supply Chain
- MGMT 537—Corporate Finance
Leadership
- MGMT 542—Leadership: Service, Influence, and Transformation I
- MGMT 543—Leadership: Service, Influence, and Transformation II
- MGMT 544—Team and Organizational Leadership
- MGMT 548—Ethical Leadership
Innovation
- MGMT 552—Innovation and Organizations I
- MGMT 553—Innovation and Organizations II
- MGMT 554—Innovation Topics
- MGMT 555 —Innovation and Strategy
Electives
Take at least 7 hours from the following:
- FIN 601—Operational Corporate Finance
- FIN 602—Sources and Costs of Financial Capital
- FIN 603—Strategic Corporate Finance
- MKTG 601 —Marketing Strategy
- MKTG 602—Digital Marketing
- MTKG 603—Consumer Behavior
- COMM 510—Story Telling Across Media Platforms
- COMM 521—Advanced Advertising
- COMM 511—Audience Research and Analytics
- Other approved graduate coursesÂ
- Total estimated tuition, not including fees: $24,228
- Financial aid is available
- No GMAT required with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
-  7–8-week terms
- Two 1-week summer residencies on campusÂ
Duration
Cost per credit
Total credit hours
Practical Skills for Real-World Issues
All courses are founded on Christian values and deliver practical skills for real-world business issues. Prepare to impact your industry as you lead, innovate, integrate your faith, and think deeply about business decisions.Ìý
Learning in a community is a hallmark of the Calvin MBA:
- You'll be part of a cohort
- Each course includes some synchronous sessions
- Spend  two 1-week summer residencies on Calvin’s campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Expertise for Diverse MBA Career Paths
ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ’s hybrid MBA program was developed with your career success in mind. Whether you’re a business professional seeking leadership opportunities or you’re striving for a new career, this program will provide you with the professional expertise you need to excel in a wide variety of business or non-profit career paths.Ìý
You’ll be equipped with solid skills in analytics, marketing, accounting and finance along with in-depth leadership and innovation skills in managing and building teams.Ìý
Additional MBA career paths:Â
- Marketing managerÂ
- Finance analystÂ
- Human resources managerÂ
- Executive directorÂ
- Content strategist
- Corporate communications manager
- Strategic communication manager
- Investment manager
- Community outreach coordinator
Research published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the need for management professionals is growing. The was $116,880, which is more than any other major occupational group.
Median annual salaries in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Median annual salary for sales managers
Public relations and fundraising managers
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers
Areas of Focus
Choose the general track or select from several optional areas of focus. These are designed to elevate your professional expertise and give you a competitive edge as you advance your career.Ìý
Whether you choose an area of focus or not, fulltime students can complete the hybrid MBA in 13 months.Ìý
Applied Communication
Apply your business expertise to careers in advertising, public relations, fundraising, and more. You’ll gain tools for effective communication among diverse audiences and media production platforms.
The Area of Focus in Applied Communication includes on-campus courses that are ideal for students living in West Michigan. Learn from expert instructors and complete your degree at a pace that fits your schedule.Ìý
You'll begin with the Basics of Media Production course, which introduces you to audiovisual media design and technology. You will also determine the best ways to analyze and reach target audiences. Then, you will select two additional Applied Communication courses.
Course Spotlight
COMM 510 Storytelling across Media Platforms
What makes for effective multimedia storytelling? In this course, you will learn to become intentional about leveraging the strengths of different media to communicate in ways that single-medium stories cannot.Ìý
COMM 521 Advanced Advertising
Advertising is both an institution in society and a communication process. Designed as a comprehensive view of the subject, this course includes topics such as advertising history, regulation, best practices, creative approaches, and more.
Finance
If you’d like to become a top-tier financial leader, ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ’s online MBA with an Area of Focus in Finance is a great place to start. You’ll learn the ins and outs of corporate finance, and explore ways to apply those concepts to your career.
Designed for working individuals, the online MBA in Finance can be completed on your schedule through Calvin’s digital learning environment. Discuss course materials with educators when it’s convenient and complete your degree at a pace that fits your schedule.Ìý
Calvin’s online Finance MBA teaches you to evaluate financial risks, weigh potential benefits, make strategic decisions, and help contribute to a business’s bottom line. Align two elective courses with your interests and advance in the career path that suits you best.Ìý
Course Spotlight
FIN 602: Sources and Cost of Financial Capital
Explore the many sources of financial capital that businesses use to fund their operations and growth: long-term debt, leases, preferred stock, common stock, and more.
FIN 603: Strategic Corporate Finance
This course is an examination of accountinLearn about financial strategies and decision-making methods for raising and allocating capital, like evaluating a firm's target capital structure, shareholder capital returns and dividends, initial public equity offerings, and growth through mergers and acquisitions.
Marketing
Apply your expertise to your business career by choosing an MBA area of focus in Marketing. This unique program helps you target your ideal job by giving you the right combination of marketing and media production skills.
Designed for working individuals, the online MBA in Marketing can be completed on your schedule through Calvin’s digital learning environment. Discuss course materials with educators when it’s convenient and complete your degree at a pace that fits your schedule.
You'll examine topics crucial to marketing campaigns, such as researching, planning, pricing, execution, and more. How you’ll build onto this foundation is up to you. Choose Track 1 to continue gaining marketing-relevant expertise. Track 2 incorporates communication courses that are tailored to media and digital marketing.
Course SpotlightÂ
MKTG 602: Digital Marketing
Explore various aspects of digital marketing including website design, analytics, search engine optimization, paid search marketing, display advertising, email, and social media strategies. You'll interact with professionals in the field and find opportunities to apply your learning to real companies.
MKTG 603: Consumer Behavior
Take an in-depth look at the processes involved when consumers purchase and use products. You'll study the internal and external influences for purchase, and consider the implications for marketing research and strategy. You'll learn basic market research methodology and conduct a market research project.
How to Apply
Admissions Requirements
- Degree and Minimum GPA: Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.Ìý
- Transcripts: Applicants must submit an official transcript from the institution that granted their bachelor’s degree as well as unofficial transcripts from any other credit-granting institution.ÌýÂ
- An official transcript is also required for any graduate work an applicant would like considered for transfer credit.ÌýÂ
- Transcripts must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, unless students have a GMAT or GRE score of 600 or higher.Ìý
- Official GMAT/GRE: Not required if transcript demonstrates a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Otherwise, a minimum GMAT or GRE score of 600 or higher is required.Ìý
- Additional Requirements: A personal statement, two letters of recommendation and a CV or resume must be submitted.Ìý
- International Students: Calvin’s MBA degree program requires two 1-week on-campus residencies. Until the US government has approved this program to issue documents required for F-1 student visas, we cannot accept students who would need F-1 status.Ìý
Your Support Network
Faculty members care deeply for student success and invest time building personal relationships and understanding students’ needs. They are passionate about their fields and are committed to helping every student succeed academically and professionally.Ìý
Faculty
FAQ
 Fulltime online MBA students can complete the MBA in as little as thirteen months.
Yes. The hybrid MBA offers both part- and full-time options.
You can start the hybrid MBA program at six different start dates throughout the year, flexible to meet your needs.
You can select a general MBA that consists of 12 required courses and 3 additional master’s courses of your choice (in consultation with your advisor) to complete the program. The four available areas of focus – Applied Communication, Finance, Marketing, and Nonprofit Management – are optional ways to complete the full 30-36 hours for your MBA.