MBA Program Overview
Chart a new course for your career and your future by earning your Master of Business Administration (MBA) online from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). Designed for rising professionals and those looking to create positive career change, this program can teach you the skills you need to become a stronger more well-rounded business professional. You'll learn to make confident decisions, problem solve, drive business growth, and select a specialization that directly connects to your future goals.
Our 100% online MBA program offers maximum flexibility for students without sacrificing on quality of education. It is consistently ranked among the top online MBA programs placing 88th out of 324 schools for Best Online Business MBA. In addition, all UCCS College of Business programs are AACSB accredited which means the school is ranked in the top 5% of business schools worldwide by AACSB International.
The online MBA program combines a rigorous business curriculum with real-world experiences to prepare students for success in a fast-paced business landscape. Partnerships with local businesses, healthcare facilities, and Colorado area sports teams offer students unique opportunities to build professional relationships and develop their careers, while our award-winning faculty members bring decades of industry experience to share in the online classroom.
MBA Program Features
- 100% online format
- Attend part-time or full-time, from anywhere in the world
- Courses are offered in an 8-week format
- Complete the program in just 18 months or take one course at a time over a span of up to five years
Master of Business Administration
College of Business
100% Online
Delivery Method
$868*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate In-state
$1017*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate Out-of-state
Priority Application Deadline
Rolling Admissions
Application Deadline
36
Credit Hours
MBA Course Overview
Our online MBA is AACSB accredited and our courses are designed by experienced faculty and business leaders who ensure that our curriculum aligns with current industry trends. Our core curriculum focuses on building an advanced foundation for your business administration career, with essential courses in economics, leadership, finance, business ethics, management, and more. You’ll round out your core business education with one international business elective, which concentrates on case studies and international consulting projects to give you valuable hands-on experience.
We offer nine career-focused MBA specializations, as well as a general MBA track, to allow you to personalize your degree and deepen your understanding of the field you’re passionate about. Through your specialization courses, you will engage with industry-experienced faculty, collaborate with other driven students, and gain in-demand skills that can give you an edge in today’s competitive job market. You’ll graduate with the broad business knowledge and focused expertise you need to solve complex business problems and lead organizations to success.
As an online Master of Business Administration student, you will be surrounded by talented peers and instructed by industry-experienced faculty. You will reinforce your knowledge of essential business functions in core classes and learn new, career-oriented skills and tactics in specialized elective courses.
The core curriculum focuses on themes like decision making, accounting, finance, marketing, operations, information technology, ethics, and strategic management, all of which are critical skills for well-rounded business leaders. From there, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a specialized degree (36 total credit hours) tailored to your professional goals. You also have the option to choose a General MBA degree (30 total credit hours). Upon graduation, you’ll hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from a top-ranked, AACSB-accredited university.
Students complete up to 3 foundation courses as part of their MBA degree. Foundation courses may be waived based on prior academic work (subject to certain age and grade requirements). In some cases foundation requirements may be satisfied by passing a waiver exam.
- Introduction to Accounting (ACCT 5500)
- Fundamentals of Economics (BUAD 5500)
- Fundamentals of Business Statistics (QUAN 5500)
Core courses make up the heart of the MBA Program and cover areas that are directly applicable in today's business world. The concepts in the following courses are critical problem solving and decision-making skills that will define and shape your Master of Business Administration degree. All students complete the 8 core courses as part of their MBA degree.
- Strategic Foundations for Responsible Management (STRT 6000)
- Accounting for Decision Making** (ACCT 6100*)
- Corporate Financial Management (FNCE 6000*)
- Information Systems (INFS 6000*)
- Leading & Managing in Changing Times (MGMT 6000*)
- Marketing Strategy (MKTG 6000*)
- Operations: Competing Through Capabilities (OPTM 6000*)
- Strategic Management (STRT 6500)
STRT 6000 is taken in the first semester in the MBA program or after the completion of the foundation courses. This course is the launch course for the MBA program and focuses on preparing individuals to be responsible leaders in business and equips students with critical thinking skills and problem-solving frameworks that can be used through the MBA program.
*Recent graduates whose undergraduate major was in an MBA core course discipline should consult with the Graduate Programs Office to determine if they should substitute an MBA elective for the core course in that discipline. (For example, a finance major may be able to substitute an elective in place of FNCE 6000.)
**Accounting majors who have completed Cost Accounting (ACCT 3110 at UCCS or equivalent) with a grade of B or better should consult with the Graduate Programs office to select an appropriate substitute course for ACCT 6100.
Online MBA Degree Specializations
Customize your online MBA degree with a specialization. Each specialization requires 12 hours of related coursework.
Students take 12 credit hours of MBA elective courses. These courses may be used toward a general business MBA or to specialize in an area of specialization.
The Cybersecurity Management specialization teaches you to implement programs that mitigate risk for organizations and protect sensitive information. Dive into security technologies, regulatory compliance, and fundamental business principles to become a well-rounded leader prepared to lead cybersecurity initiatives.
The Cybersecurity Management specialization in the MBA program requires students to complete four courses from the list below:
- Cybersecurity Technologies (CYSM 6100)
- Enterprise Information Security CYSM 6200)
- Cybersecurity Governance (CYSM 6300)
Approved Electives (take 1 course):
- Cybersecurity Law and Cybercrime Investigation (CYSM 6400)
- Ethics and Compliance in Business (BUAD 6150)
All organizations—large and small, for-profit and not-for-profit—must effectively invest and manage their capital. Finance graduates have job opportunities in almost all industries including the financial services industry and positions within the finance area of corporations. Students in this specialization can choose from courses in problems and policies, international finance, investment management, and domestic and global business cycles.
The Finance specialization requires students complete any of three of the following courses:
- Problems and Policies in Financial Management (FNCE 6100)
- Investment Management and Analysis (FNCE 6200)
- International Financial Management (FNCE 6400)
- Monetary Policy and Domestic/Global Business Cycles (FNCE 6500)
Changes in government laws and regulations, technology, societal needs, and insurance plans have created a need for business education for healthcare professionals. Learn how to become a driving force in improving patient outcomes, changing policy, and running an efficient healthcare organization with a specialization in Healthcare Administration. Courses in healthcare policy, ethics, and economics will help you prepare for top clinical and non-clinical roles.
MBA students pursuing the Healthcare Administration specialization will take the four courses from the list below:
- Healthcare Administration (HCAD 6190)
- Healthcare Policy (HCAD 6290)
- Healthcare Ethics & Law (HCAD 6390)
- Healthcare Budget & Finance (HCAD 6490)
Students in this specialization will learn how to manage the process of innovation to create value in their organizations through new products, new processes, or new business models. Innovation—the process of implementing new ideas—has become a critical driver of business success in today’s economy. An innovation can be based on new technology, be a new way of doing something, and take place anywhere: in new startup firms, established corporations, or nonprofit organizations.
Students who choose a specialization in Innovation Management will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses, 9 semester hours of Innovation Management elective courses, and 3 hours of MBA 6000-level elective courses for a total of 12 combined elective hours.
Complete any three of the following:
- Managing Innovation for Strategic Advantage (BUAD 6610)
- Transforming Technology Organizations and Employees (BUAD 6710)
- Entrepreneurship and New Ventures (BUAD 6800)
- Managing Projects for Competitive Advantage (OPTM 6300)
In today’s highly competitive global environment, a premium is placed on skilled managers who know how to motivate and lead people. This specialization addresses contemporary issues in management and explore the changing roles of managers and leaders at management levels within the organization. The Management specialization also focuses on the development and maintenance of effective relationships between employers and employees.
Students who choose a specialization in Management will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses, 9 semester hours of Management elective courses, and 3 hours of MBA 6000-level elective courses for a total of 12 combined elective hours.
Complete any three of the following:
- Service Management (BUAD 6700)
- Managing Organization Development, Change, and Transformation (MGMT 6200)
- Managing Human Resources for Competitive Advantage (MGMT 6300)
- Legal Issues in Managing Human Resources (MGMT 6400)
- Applied Principles of Negotiation and Conflict Management (MGMT 6550)
Students choosing the marketing specialization may find exciting careers in such diverse fields as product management, professional selling, customer support, advertising and marketing research. The marketing curriculum is designed to give the student hands-on experience through applied classes and projects.
Students who choose a specialization in Marketing will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses, 9 semester hours of Marketing (MKTG) elective courses, and 3 hours of MBA 6000-level elective courses for a total of 12 combined elective hours. Choose any three of the following courses:
- Service Marketing (MKTG 6400)
- IMC in the Digital Age (MKTG 6500)
- Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategy (MKTG 6700)
- International Marketing and Export Management (MKTG 6900)
The Project Management specialization prepares students to manage organizations that rely on projects for the achievement of goals. The courses focus on improving project performance for team members who rely on projects for implementing new practices and addressing organizational change. Graduates can pursue opportunities as project managers, project support managers, or traditional management careers.
The MBA Project Management specialization requires students to complete three courses from the list below plus one additional MBA elective:
- Managing Projects for Competitive Advantage (OPTM 6300)
- Project Estimation & Risk Management (OPTM 6590)
- Bridging Strategy & Tactics in Project Management (OPTM 6690)
Students choosing the Space-Cyber Enterprise Management specialization may find exciting careers in business, management, and leadership in the space sector by gaining knowledge of space missions, space domain awareness, space cybersecurity, space and cyber law, and the strategic adversarial mindset for anticipating space cyber threats.
Students who choose a specialization in Space Cyber Enterprise Management will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses, and 12 semester hours of Space Management (SPMG) elective courses.
- Principles of Space Business (SPMG 6000)
- Introduction to Space Cybersecurity for Managers (SPMG 6600)
- Cybersecurity & Space Law, Regulation, and Business Policy for Managers (SPMG 6700)
- Fundamentals of Space Cyber Intel and Analysis for Managers (SPMG 6800)
The Sport Management specialization focuses on addressing sport governance, development, marketing, revenue generation, innovative organization behavior, law, and ethical challenges. Sport management courses prepare you for a wide variety of sport-related career paths and aspirations, including professional, youth, and Olympic sports.
MBA students pursuing the Sport Management specialization will take the four courses from the list below:
- The Global Governance and Development of Sport (SPTM 6000)
- Sport Marketing and Revenue Generation (SPTM 6100)
- Innovation Management in Sport Organizations (SPTM 6200)
- Legal and Ethical Challenges in Sport (SPTM 6300)
AACSB Accreditation
The University of Colorado Colorado Spring College of Business is accredited by AACSB International, a global nonprofit association that is committed to providing excellence in education for future business leaders. This accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools, with less than five percent of the world’s business programs obtaining AACSB accreditation. As an AACSB accredited degree, our online MBA program must meet rigorous academic standards and commit to providing high-quality education through strategic curriculum design and dynamic thought leadership. When you earn your MBA from an AACSB accredited program, you’ll graduate with the confidence that you’ve received the best business education available and the valued credentials that employers are looking for.
Take the First Step
Complete the form on this page to be contacted by an Enrollment Advisor.
Tuition and Fees
At UCCS Online, we strive to keep our tuition costs affordable so that you can get a world-class education that fits your budget. When you earn a degree, you’re not simply getting a diploma — you’re making a lifelong investment in yourself and empowering your future career. We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education.
Our Enrollment Navigators can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to corporate tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your UCCS Online degree.
Fees
- One-time application fee: $60
- One-time application fee (international students): $60
- Online program fee: $100 per course
The UCCS online MBA program qualifies for federal financial aid, military benefits, and employer reimbursement programs. There are also some graduate level scholarships and fellowships available.
Western Region Graduate Program (WRGP/WICHE)
Students from the following states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States) have the opportunity to pay a reduced tuition rate which is currently equal to in-state tuition.
In State Cost Per Credit:
$868
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Out of State Cost Per Credit:
$1017
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education. Our Enrollment Navigators can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to transfer credits and corporate tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your UCCS Online degree. Complete the formComplete the form on this page to be contacted by an Enrollment Advisor.
Financial aid is available for eligible students to use toward paying educational costs while enrolled in a UCCS Online program. To determine your eligibility and apply for financial aid, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When you submit your FAFSA, you will be considered for three types of aid: grants, work-study, and student loans. To be considered for federal financial aid, you will need to apply early and annually.
- Scholarships | You may be eligible for scholarships at UCCS. We offer many scholarships and grants to students who are ready to earn their degrees and achieve success. Between both UCCS-offered and external scholarships, our students earned more than $10 million in scholarship awards last year alone.
UCCS Online is military-friendly and committed to providing service members and their families with a high-quality education that fits their distinct needs. As a UCCS Online student, you will have access to the UCCS Veteran and Military Affairs, which connects veteran, active duty, reservist, National Guard, and dependent students with fundamental support, services, and resources to ensure academic and professional success. UCCS is a proud home campus to many veteran and military students.
Eligible veteran and military students may use veteran benefits, military tuition assistance, and/or financial aid to pay for their education. Military benefits with UCCS Online include:
- Waived application fee for active duty and veterans
- Military benefits approved program
Connect with our Enrollment NavigatorsConnect with our Enrollment Navigators to learn more about the benefits and financial assistance available to military and veteran students.
All students are automatically opted in to the TAAP program with the choice to opt out. The TAAP program provides all your course materials for one flat fee per credit hour. That means no more time spent searching for, ordering, and paying out of pocket for your own course materials.
Many companies offer tuition assistance benefits as part of their employee compensation program. Generally, these policies determine a set number of credit hours per year that the company will pay for on behalf of the student/employee. Some policies place a cap on eligible tuition dollars and related expenses while others reimburse employees on a per-credit-hour basis. Get in touch with your organization's human resources department to learn more about your educational benefits.
Admissions Information
The online MBA program has three start dates per year, so we are always accepting applications for upcoming terms. To be admitted into the online Master of Business Administration program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Acceptance into the MBA program is generally determined by a combination of factors, including undergraduate GPA, admission test scores, and professional work experience.
Application Checklist
- Write a Goal Statement for the program
- Update your resumé
- Complete the UCCS Online Application
- Acquire letters of recommendation (optional)
- Pay the application fee
- Submit official transcripts from every higher education institution you have ever attended
- Choose your MBA Pathway
MBA Pathways
Pathway 1: GPA 3.5* for undergraduate degree from a regionally-accredited institution and resume.
Pathway 2: GPA 3.0* for undergraduate degree from a regionally-accredited institution: 3 years of professional work experience and/ or military experience or additional specialized education, goal statement, resume and optional letter(s) of recommendation.
Pathway 3: GPA less than 3.0* for undergraduate degree from a regionally-accredited institution: goal statement, resume, optional letter(s) of recommendation, and one of the following:
- 5+ years of professional work experience and/or military experience
- GMAT or GRE test scores**
- Personal statement that addresses academic performance, examples of persistence/ commitment, and other life and professional experiences that can demonstrate your ability and motivation to complete an advanced degree.
- Minimum 9 semester hours of relevant graduate course work at a regionally accredited institution with 3.0 GPA or higher**
*Cumulative GPA or GPA for last 60 credit hours, whichever is higher.
**If undergraduate GPA* is less than 2.75, applicants must have one of these options.
International Students
The MBA program at UCCS is happy to accept international students. Admission to the MBA program may require additional information from international applicants, including English Language Proficiency (ELP) test results, if applicable. Applicants with any foreign coursework must have their academic transcripts evaluated by a NACES or AICE accredited evaluation service when they apply. Learn more about the admissions process — or get started with your application — by filling out the form above or contacting an Enrollment Navigator.
UCCS accepts applications throughout the year through a rolling admissions process. However, submitting your application by the preferred deadlines is advisable.
Our stated application deadlines are as follows, but we admit students up to a week before the semester starts. We have also started admitting students mid-semester before Session B begins.
- Fall Semester: August 1
- Spring Semester: January 1
- Summer Semester: June 1
- Spring 2025 A – January 21, 2025
- Spring 2025 B – March 18, 2025
- Summer 2025 A – June 9, 2025
- Fall 2025 A – August 25, 2025
- Fall 2025 B – October 22, 2025
Expand Your Opportunities
Earn an education that creates opportunity. Start the admissions process with an enrollment advisor by filling out the form on this page today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The UCCS online MBA program is popular among students looking to improve business acumen, create new opportunities, or focus on a specific field like project management, healthcare, cybersecurity, or sports management. Others are looking to build up a broad knowledge base in advanced business practices, leadership, and management that can be applied to high-level roles across multiple industries. Whatever your strategy may be, our top-ranked online MBA program can help you change the trajectory of your career.
We’re here to help. We emphasize to all students that faculty members are here for them. As faculty seek to connect with you, feel free to use their flexible office hours or contact them if you need additional help.
A common barrier to success is time management, especially if you are working a full-time job. The online format offers more flexibility and the opportunity to develop better balance among your commitments, but having a plan for completing your studies each week can help you get on track to success early.
Online courses at the University of Colorado are taught by the same professors that teach in-person classes. This ensures that you are receiving the same education and learning experiences as on-campus students. The primary difference is with the delivery format. Your online courses will all be taught in Canvas, the Learning Management System (LMS). You will be responsible for logging in, accessing course content, and completing any requirements of the course.
The MBA program is offered fully online, which means you will not be required to take courses at our campus and there are no on-campus components to this program.