MBA entry routes
There are 4 routes of entry into AU’s MBA for executives.
Athabasca University follows the “Open University” philosophy. A key part of our mission and mandate is to reduce barriers to entering post-secondary education globally. At the master’s level, this includes admission pathways that go beyond recognition of undergraduate degrees: if you do not have an undergraduate degree but have significant management experience (see pathway #4 below), we encourage you to apply.
- Standard entry
Undergraduate Degree + 3 years managerial experience. - Accelerated entry
Undergraduate Degree in business completed within the past 10 years + 3 years managerial experience and a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher for the last 60 credits taken. - Professional designation holders
You hold an accepted professional designation and at least 5 years of managerial experience. - Progressive management experience
You have at least 8 years of progressively responsible managerial experience.
The Admissions Committee considers your entire application profile holistically, including academic records, managerial/professional experience, your essay, and letters of reference. You are assessed on your own merit and your application is considered separately from other applications.
Application deadlines for the Master of Business Administration
March 15, 2025 for a start date of May 2025
June 15, 2025 for a start date of Aug. 2025
Oct. 15, 2025 for a start date of Jan. 2026
Learn more about the MBA application processStandard entry
If you have an undergraduate degree from an accredited post-secondary institution, you will also need to demonstrate at least three years of managerial experience. Managerial experience should show progressive responsibility and should include managing people, projects, or budgets, or any combination of these.
Applying with a non-Canadian undergraduate degree
If your undergraduate degree is from a post-secondary institution outside of Canada or the United States, your educational qualifications may require independent assessment*. International transcripts can be assessed by:
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
World Education Services-Canada (WES)
*If your business degree is from a post-secondary institution whose business programs are accredited by AACSB or EQUIS, this requirement will be waived.
Accelerated entry
A new admission route for undergraduate business degree holders.
Finish your Athabasca University (AU) online MBA for executives in as little as 19 months if you already have a Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Management, or similar business degree, and at least three years of management experience.
This accelerated route to your MBA for executives acknowledges that your undergraduate studies—in combination with the experience you have gained in the workplace since graduating—provide a solid base from which to advance into senior management study and practice. The accelerated online MBA route gives you the flexibility to tailor your master’s studies to your own interests and career goals.
Once you have completed two mandatory courses (Strategic Management STMT 500 and Ethical Decision Making MEDM 604) you can design the rest of your program using a combination of online and in-residence electives, international electives and, if you choose, a major research project. Because the accelerated online MBA route is part of our flagship online MBA for executives, all students study together, meaning you will enjoy the full benefits of peer learning within a student body that spans industries, sectors, and organizations across Canada and around the world (see ‘Being an AU MBA Student’).
Professional designation entry
At AU, we recognize that achieving certain professional designations requires considerable study and subject mastery.
The following designations have been evaluated by our academic team and deemed acceptable for admission to the online MBA for executives program. Approved professional designations are accepted in combination with at least five years of managerial experience. All other admission requirements must be met.
*Please note that acceptable professional designations are subject to change.
Acceptable professional designations
| ACCA | Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants |
| ACMA | Associate Chartered Management Accountant |
| AScT | Applied Science Technologist |
| CA | Chartered Accountant |
| CET | Certified Engineering Technologist |
| CFA | Certified/Chartered Financial Analyst |
| CFP | Certified Financial Planner |
| CGA | Certified General Accountant |
| CGAP | Certified Government Auditing Professional |
| CGMA | Chartered Global Management Accountant |
| CHE | Certified Health Executive |
| CMA | Certified Management Accountant |
| CPA | Chartered Professional Accountant |
| CHRL | Certified Human Resources Leader* |
| CPHR | Chartered Professional in Human Resources (formerly CHRP)* |
| EcD | Certified Economic Developer |
| C Mgr | Chartered Manager |
| FCIP | Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional |
| FCMA | Fellow Chartered Management Accountant |
| FCSI | Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute |
| ISP | Information Systems Professional |
| PEng | Professional Engineer |
| PTech, (Eng) | Professional Technologist, Engineering |
| PQS | Professional Quantity Surveyor |
| RET | Registered Engineering Technologist |
| PBA | Professional Business Accountant |
| SCMP | Supply Chain Management Professional |
*CHRP designations awarded in Ontario after October 29, 2014 are excluded. The CHRL designation introduced in Ontario after that date is accepted.
Canadian College of Health Leaders
CCHL is a national, non-profit, professional association dedicated to developing, promoting, advancing and recognizing excellence in health leadership. Eligible Canadian health care professionals can receive credit toward the Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation while completing the AU online MBA for executives program.
Accounting Designations
Athabasca University and the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) are committed to developing global business leaders. If you already have an accounting designation, you could finish the AU online MBA for executives up to six months faster.
Supply Chain Management Association
Your Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation gives you enhanced access to Athabasca University’s online MBA for executives program by providing transfer credit for up to nine total credits, which will enable you to finish your online program up to six months faster.
Review of new designations:
If you have a professional designation that does not appear on this list, but you believe it to be academically equivalent, please email us at business-support@athabascau.ca. Include the designation name, the granting association, and contact information for the association (including a website link, if applicable).
Progressive management experience
Students who wish to apply to the Online MBA for executives using this route (based on at least eight years of progressive management experience) must apply to the Graduate Diploma in Management (GDM) first. Upon successful completion of all Phase One courses and the comprehensive exam, they may apply to transfer into Phase Two of the MBA.
International MBA Students
Applying with an international degree?
Updated November 27, 2024 by Digital & Web Operations (web_services@athabascau.ca)