928-523-1903
Master of Business Administration
About our Master of Business Administration program
Our cohort-based, full-time Master of Business Administration program takes only 10 months to complete but delivers both in-depth business coursework and hands-on opportunities.
Choose an emphasis in accounting or applied management and build the high-level professional skill set needed for career success.
Our graduates have gone on to work for highly respected firms including KRMG, Raytheon, Grant Thorton, and Vanguard.
Why get an MBA from NAU?
Accredited program
Our small cohort size makes a big difference
You’ll work closely with your cohort over ten months providing you with the skills and knowledge to excel in today’s dynamic business environment. In our MBA program, your ideas are heard, your questions are answered, and your professional growth is prioritized. On average, we offer a 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio, creating an engaged and impactful educational journey. With our limited cohort size, you benefit from personalized attention, closer relationships with faculty, and deeper connections with peers.
International and multicultural opportunities
Each year, the MBA program plans an international trip for our students that offers a unique opportunity to experience a different culture and expand their knowledge of international business practices.
By visiting different types of businesses, students develop a nuanced multicultural understanding that prepares them for careers in other cultures and countries. In addition, meetings with executives and government officials and visits to museums, parks, and local attractions serve to broaden and enhance students’ perspective and world-view.
How to apply
You can apply online at the following website: ApplyWeb. Qualified candidates with complete applications are interviewed and admitted on a rolling basis.
- Priority admission deadline: February 15
- International final application deadline: April 1
- Final application deadline: July 15
When applying, you will need to submit the following:
- Completed graduate college application
- Unofficial transcripts
- Short answer essay questions
- Resume
- Two references (The references must be from two academic sources if you are transitioning directly from an undergraduate program)
- GRE/GMAT Scores (possible waiver)
After an application is submitted, it is reviewed by the MBA committee. If the application is selected, the next step is the interview. The virtual interview is usually about 30 minutes long and is held by three to four MBA committee members.
Admission requirements
Business majors
Applicants who complete a business degree from an AACSB accredited university will not need to take prerequisites courses in business. If you are an NAU student who has majored in Accounting, Business Management, Economics, Finance, Marketing, or Information Systems Management, all prerequisite requirements will be met upon the completion of your degree.
Non-business majors
Many MBA programs are two years. The first year is dedicated to business foundation courses and the second year covers MBA curriculum. With NAU’s accelerated program, students are required to complete business prerequisites prior to the start of the program. We work with each student individually to devise a prerequisite plan to meet program requirements.
Entrance exam requirement
The entrance GRE/GMAT exam requirement will be waived for applicants of any major with a GPA of 3.25 or higher from an accredited university.
If you have been out of school for several years and have work experience, we may also waive the GRE/GMAT requirement.
Admission considerations
The NAU Graduate College requires that applicants have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 out of a 4.00 scale for their bachelor’s degree to be considered for regular admission.
The MBA Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach to candidate evaluation by considering academic ability and potential, communication and interpersonal skills, relevant professional experience, and motivation to pursue professional and career success. No particular undergraduate major is necessary for students applying to the MBA program. Instead, as a candidate, you must demonstrate competency in background business subjects if you do not have a foundational business background.
Academics
Core courses
The MBA program consists of 30 credits. All students in the cohort take the following core courses, totaling 21 credit hours.
Concentrations
You can choose between two concentration areas: Accounting or Applied Management.
For each concentration, you will take 9 credit hours. The accounting concentration prepares you to take portions of the CPA exam. The applied management concentration focuses on developing consulting skills.
Concentration requirements
Accounting Concentration (MBA-ACC)
Applied Management Concentration (MBA)
Accounting emphasis: preparing for the CPA exam
Completion of the NAU MBA program provides students with the graduate course credits necessary for licensure in the state of Arizona. In addition, the accounting emphasis courses provide necessary information, support, and guidelines for studying for the CPA exam. The advanced audit and tax classes are structured specifically for the AUD and REG sections of the CPA exam. While balancing studying for the CPA exam with successfully completing MBA coursework can be challenging, students have reported that passing all or part of the CPA exam prior to graduation has made the transition into a full-time position less stressful and often more lucrative.
Why accounting?
In this MBA program, accounting students will deepen and expand their understanding of accounting theory and practice. In addition, combining graduate-level management courses with advanced accounting expertise positions students for long-term professional success. MBA students in the accounting emphasis will acquire the technical expertise to responsibly fulfill their auditing and tax-preparing duties. The partnership of accounting expertise with graduate-level management material will provide candidates with valuable business skills.
Applied management: the path to career success
The applied management concentration develops students’ strategy and leadership, communication, business analytics, and consulting skills, skills which employers want. The consulting courses are uniquely designed for students to work on strategic issues faced by real companies. Consulting projects use in-depth assessments of industry and markets and evaluations of key issues to determine strategic recommendations and plans that are financially viable and beneficial to the business. In addition, these projects offer exceptional opportunities to network and learn from top management and executives.
MBA program cost and financial support
Program cost
Visit NAU’s tuition expenses for more information about the Master of Business Administration program costs.
Financial support
All students are eligible to apply for financial support after they have been accepted into the program. Awarding usually occurs in the late spring semester (April or May) before the program starts in August.
There are currently two types of awards available to students:
Graduate assistantships
Graduate assistantships (GAs) are an outstanding way to fund graduate education while simultaneously developing professional skills. Graduate assistants perform vital teaching, research, and service duties to their program and earn a stipend for their work.
To be awarded a graduate assistantship, students must be full-time, graduate degree-seeking students, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students that are conditionally admitted to a graduate program due to a GPA below 3.0 upon admission are not eligible to receive a graduate assistantship.
All graduate assistants with an appointment of 10 or more hours per week are considered residents for tuition purposes during the term of appointment. The application process for graduate assistant positions is available through the academic program or service unit.
Part-time (10 hours/week) offer: 50% tuition waiver (excluding any university and program fees) stipend
Tuition waivers
NAU tuition waivers are scholarships which pay for all or part of a student’s tuition.
To be awarded a tuition waiver, students must be full-time, graduate degree-seeking students, and in good academic standing. These awards may be based on academic merit and/or financial need. They are available to both resident and non-resident graduate students. Applicants must be full time students seeking a graduate degree in order to be considered for a tuition waiver. These waivers are awarded based on academic merit and/or financial need.
Military and veteran support
Coverdell Fellows Program
Did you know that the NAU application fee for the MBA program is waived for all Returned Peace Corps Volunteers? That is not all—RPCVs admitted to the MBA program receive a Graduate Assistantship position to assist with funding the program. Get in touch with the Business Graduate Programs to begin a conversation and receive the application fee waiver at fcb-gradprog@nau.edu.
Let’s connect
For additional information regarding admissions or to schedule a pre-advising appointment, please contact our Program Coordinator at 928-523-1903 or via email at FCB-gradprog@nau.edu.
Ready to apply?
MBA applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Students apply for the summer term of their intended academic year. The application is open now!
