Nov 21, 2024  
University of Alberta Calendar 2021-2022 
    
University of Alberta Calendar 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Business [Graduate]


Faculty of Business
323 Faculty of Business Building
University of Alberta
uab.ca/mba
uab.ca/bizphd

General Information


The Faculty of Business offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Business Administration, Master of Financial Management, Master of Accounting, and Doctor of Philosophy. In addition to the standard MBA program, specializations are available in International Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment, Finance, Public Policy and Management, and Sustainability. PhD specializations are Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Operations & Information Systems, and Strategic Management & Organization.

Entrance Requirements


Master’s programs:


MBA programs:


For MBA programs except the Fast Track MBA and Executive MBA, the Faculty’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution.

The admission GPA will be calculated on the last ★60 of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

All applicants are required to write the Graduate Management Admission Test, and have their scores forwarded to the Associate Dean – Master’s Programs. Although no arbitrary standard is employed, a score above 550 is desirable. The GMAT will be waived for graduates of the Alberta School of Business, Bachelor of Commerce program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher over the last 60 credits.

Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement ). Any one of the following is acceptable:

  • A minimum TOEFL score of 100 with a minimum band score of 21 (internet-based) or equivalent
  • an equivalent score on an English Language Proficiency test approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research

Where degree programs offered by the Faculty of Business are approved to be delivered in a language other than English, the English language proficiency requirement may be waived.

For MBA programs, applicants are required to submit the following

  • A statement of purpose explaining how the MBA program relates to the applicant’s career goals,
  • Two letters of reference
  • A resume outlining past work experience,
    • a minimum of two years’ work experience is desirable;

Selected applicants will be required to complete the MBA interview process.

Fast Track MBA:


For Fast Track MBA programs, the Faculty’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree in business or management with an admission GPA of at least 3.2 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution.

The admission GPA will be calculated on the last ★60 of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

For Fast Track MBA programs, a minimum of three years of full-time work experience after the undergraduate degree is required.

All applicants are required to write the Graduate Management Admission Test, and have their scores forwarded to the Associate Dean – Master’s Programs.  Although no arbitrary standard is employed, a score above 550 is desirable. The GMAT will be waived for graduates of the Alberta School of Business, Bachelor of Commerce program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher over the last 60 credits.

Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Requirement (refer to English Language Requirement ). Any one of the following is acceptable: 

  • A minimum TOEFL score of 100 with a minimum band score of 21 (internet-based) or equivalent
  • an equivalent score on an English Language Proficiency test approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research

For Fast Track MBA programs, applicants are required to submit the following

  • A statement of purpose explaining how the program relates to the applicant’s career goals;
  • Two letters of reference;
  • A resume outlining past work experience;

Selected applicants will be required to complete the MBA interview process.

For Fast Track MBA programs, admission for those whose degree was completed more than ten years ago are considered on a case by case basis.

Executive MBA:


For Executive MBA programs, the Faculty’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. 

The admission GPA will be calculated on the last ★60 of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

For Executive MBA programs, a minimum of seven years of work experience is required.

All applicants are required to write the Graduate Management Admission Test, and have their scores forwarded to the Associate Dean – Master’s Programs.  Although no arbitrary standard is employed, a score above 550 is desirable. The GMAT will be waived for applicants to the Executive MBA program with an admission GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement ). Any one of the following is acceptable:

  • A minimum TOEFL score of 100 with a minimum band score of 21 (internet-based) or equivalent
  • an equivalent score on an English Language Proficiency test approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research

For Executive MBA programs, applicants are required to submit the following

  • A statement of purpose explaining how the program relates to the applicant’s career goals;
  • Two letters of reference;
  • A resume outlining past work experience;

Selected applicants will be required to complete the EMBA interview process.

In some cases, students without an undergraduate degree, but who have 15 years of significant work experience are admissible.

Master of Accounting:


For the Master of Accounting program, the Faculty’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. 

The admission GPA will be calculated on the last ★60 of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

Applicants should have relevant business or professional experience and a relevant undergraduate degree.

Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement ). Any one of the following is acceptable: 

  • A minimum TOEFL score of 100 with a minimum band score of 21 (internet-based) or equivalent
  • an equivalent score on an English Language Proficiency test approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research

Applicants must also submit

  • A list of accounting courses completed, 
  • two letters of reference, 
  • a statement of purpose explaining how the MAcc relates to the applicant’s career goals.

Selected applicants will be required to complete the MAcc interview process.

Master of Financial Management:


For the Master of Financial Management program, the Faculty’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. 

The admission GPA will be calculated on the last ★60 of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

Applicants should have relevant business or professional experience and a relevant undergraduate degree.

Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement ). Any one of the following is acceptable: 

  • A minimum TOEFL score of 100 with a minimum band score of 21 (internet-based) or equivalent
  • an equivalent score on an English Language Proficiency test approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research

Where degree programs offered by the Faculty of Business are approved to be delivered in a language other than English, the English language proficiency requirement may be waived.

Applicants must also submit

  • two letters of reference, 
  • a statement of purpose explaining how the MFM relates to the applicant’s career goals.

Selected applicants will be required to complete the MFM interview process.

Doctoral Programs:


For the PhD in Business the minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last ★60 of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework. Completion of a Master’s degree is not a requirement.

An academic background in business is not required; demonstrated aptitude for conducting research and familiarity with a scholarly discipline are valued credentials.

Applicants to the Accounting specialization must provide evidence of accounting expertise, such as a professional accounting designation.

Where applicable, applicants must meet the minimum English Language Requirement.

All applicants are required to submit their scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Scores must be from a test taken within the past five years; scores above the 90th percentile are desirable.

Applicants are also required to provide:

  1. A current resume or curriculum vitae;
  2. Three letters of reference;
  3. A statement of purpose identifying what specific topics within the area of specialization they are interested in and why; relevant skills and past experiences; and tentative plans upon completion of the program. The applicant should also identify appropriate faculty members as potential supervisors.

Academic Standing Requirements


MBA Programs


Students in all MBA programs may not receive more than three failing grades throughout their program.

Failure in more than three courses may result in a recommendation by the Associate Dean – Master’s Programs to FGSR that the student be placed on academic probation and/or be required to withdraw.

MAcc Programs


Students will be required to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.7 with no course grade less than C+ in order to graduate.

Students will not be permitted to register in either of the Capstone Courses if their cumulative GPA falls below 2.7. Failure to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.7 will normally result in a recommendation to FGSR that the student be required to withdraw  from the MAcc program.  Failure in two courses will normally result in a recommendation to FGSR that the student be required to withdraw  from the MAcc program.

MFM Programs:


Students in all MFM programs may not receive more than three failing grades throughout their program.

Failure in more than three courses may result in a recommendation by the Associate Dean – Master’s Programs to FGSR that the student be placed on academic probation  and/or be required to withdraw.

Master’s Programs:


Supplemental Exams

In exceptional circumstances, a student who achieved an overall course grade of C (and no lower) may submit a request to the Associate Dean - Master’s Programs, to write a supplemental exam. Approval of such requests will consider the following:

  • Only one supplemental exam request can be made per course;
  • The supplemental exam will be cumulative and cover all of the material presented in the course for the duration of the term;
  • The mark of the supplemental exam will replace the overall term mark of C, and can result in a lower final overall grade should the student fail the supplemental exam;
  • A failed supplemental exam cannot be repeated; and,
  • A pass of the final supplemental exam will result in a maximum final grade of a C+ in the course.

Doctoral Programs:


All students in the Business PhD program must maintain a minimum cumulative grand point average of 3.0 throughout the course of the program.

Financial Assistance


For Master’s programs, a limited number of bursaries and scholarships are available.

For Doctoral programs, the Faculty of Business normally offers funding for four years (in exceptional cases for five years) made up of several kinds of support. Tuition is normally paid for the first four years. A number of fellowships are available (see Graduate Financial Support  section of this Calendar).

Graduate Program Requirements


Graduate Courses


Please note [May 19, 2021] - this Courses list was updated with two course type name changes.  See Addenda and Errata  for more information.

Graduate courses in Business can be found in Course Listings , under the following subject headings:

Accounting (ACCTG)
Business (BUS)
Business Economics (BUEC)
Finance (FIN)
Human Resources Management (HRM)
Business Technology Management (BTM)
Management Science (MGTSC)
Marketing (MARK)
Organizational Analysis (ORG A)
Operations Management (OM)
Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Management (SEM)