MBA program structure overview

At the heart of any MBA program is the coursework. Most educational institutes put extensive effort into it, carefully curating and designing the learning objective to expand students’ business savviness, technical knowledge, and skills. Many programs offer a wide range of core courses, electives, and specializations for students to pick from. Before selecting the MBA program that best supports your career and personal goals, it’s important to understand what each course entails. 

In this article, we will discuss the course structure of the Australian Institute of Business (AIB) MBA, and how it is thoughtfully designed to propel and support Canadian students in maximizing their learning experience. 

A global MBA for a globalized world 

AIB’s Master of Business Administration is a highly regarded, 100% online program that provides business and leadership skills required to thrive in an increasingly globalized world. Specifically built for busy, working professionals, AIB’s program is extremely flexible, offering bite-sized content, perfectly paired with personalized student support.

How does AIB compare to other Canadian MBAs? 

An MBA from AIB stands out amongst other MBA programs in Canada for several reasons:

• Hands-on learning: Students’ learning is practical, focused on real-life business scenarios that are useful for tangible success in the workplace.
• Extremely Flexible: AIB understands that life is a juggling act. To support students,  we offer a highly flexible online learning format that allows students to balance their studies with work and other personal commitments. Students can pace themselves, completing their degree either in 12 months by studying two subjects simultaneously across 6 terms or over 2 years by focusing on one subject per term for a total of 12 terms.
• Accredited And Recognized Globally: The AIB MBA is accredited in Canada by the National Centre for Management Accreditation (NCMA) of the Canadian Institute of Management (CIM). With these official accreditations, the MBA will be recognized by employers and other educational institutions around the world.
• Multiple Intake Dates: AIB offers multiple intake dates scattered throughout the year, so students can begin studying at their convenience. 
• Zero Exams: Unlike many other Canadian MBA programs, an AIB MBA doesn’t ask students to do exams, focussing instead on practical, comprehensive learning.
• Accessible Entry Criteria: AIB offers several eligibility options, carefully considering everyone’s professional and educational background. For example, experienced managers and current business owners are eligible without requiring a bachelor/undergraduate degree! AIB also does not require the GMAT test for entry. 
• International networking opportunities: AIB connects students and alumni from around the world, so you’ll be supported by excellent professionals, students, and staff, with the potential to access exclusive opportunities.
• Great schedule: The MBA terms run for 8 weeks in succession, during which the focus is one or two subjects only, allowing a deep dive into the topic through assignments, quizzes, and evaluated forum participation. Students receive their learning materials two weeks in advance, allowing for sufficient planning.
• One week off: Between weeks 7-8, enjoy a restful off, yours to fill with soul-quenching and relaxing activities. 
• Extensive Support Services: AIB’s academic, administrative, and peer support is reliable and prompt to respond via email, online forums, social media, and good old phone calls! All AIB students also gain exclusive access to a suite of free, well-being support via the employee assistance program, including inclusive, confidential, counseling. 

AIB’s MBA course structure 

Students will learn theories at AIB that they can apply to real-life business challenges, master cutting-edge theories, develop strong decision-making skills, analyze problems critically, and how to communicate effectively in professional settings. The course is structured with 8 core subjects, 3 elective subjects, and a capstone final project. 

AIB students can completely tailor their degree, picking from a range of specializations and electives to suit personal, career, and business goals. Specializations include: 

• MBA in Entrepreneurial Management
• MBA in Finance
• MBA in Human Resource Management
• MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• MBA in Marketing Management

Conversely, if you don’t wish to specialize, the general MBA allows students to pick and choose topics to tailor the program. 

Students must complete core subjects totaling 120 credit points in the full-time MBA program as well as three electives, which vary depending on the academic year. It culminates in a final project. 

AIB offers 8 core courses, followed by electives and concluding with a project. The 8 core courses offered are:

1. Leadership

Starting the AIB degree strong, leadership is the first course undertaken by students. Focusing on the complex dynamics of leadership, this course expands on leadership theories, concepts, and practices, while carefully considering ethical and socially responsible practices.

2. Strategic Management 

This is the second course that students will undertake, which offers a deep dive into strategic management, focusing on concepts, principles, and frameworks used in domestic and international markets to gain a competitive edge.

3. Marketing Management

Students will develop a thorough understanding of marketing concepts, principles, and challenges to create marketing schemes that resonate with a wide range of audiences through analysis and strategic techniques. 

4. Operations Management

Forging brilliant leaders, this course teaches effective problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication through operations management principles, frameworks, and contemporary topics.

5. Financial Management

This course teaches effective financial management, focusing on understanding trends and varied financial tools and techniques to improve decision-making from a high level.

6. Strategic Human Resource Management

Gain important people skills in this course where students learn how to effectively overcome uncertainties and challenges within the workforce via strategic human resource management theory and its application in practice.

7. Corporate Governance

Corporate governance teaches contemporary theories, principles, and regulatory frameworks for a range of professions while considering stakeholders, corporate ethics, and social responsibility.

8. Project Management 

This course covers skills and knowledge for managing projects in a range of sectors, focusing on practical frameworks, principles, and emerging topics.

As you move forward in the MBA, you’ll be able to pick elective courses based on your career goals and personal interests. While the AIB electives options vary between semesters, these are some to consider:

• Consumer Behaviour
• Artificial Intelligence for Business
• New Product Design
• Business Analytics for Managers
• Entrepreneurship 
• International Business
• Global Supply Chain Management 
• Corporate Finance
• Digital Marketing
• Managing Change 

Explore alternative options here! 

Students are encouraged to pick MBA electives based on what they want to pursue in their careers and their areas of specialization. MBA electives complement your main academic and professional interests, supporting new interests and building a more holistic approach to learning. Be aware that some electives and courses have prerequisites. 

An AIB MBA culminates with a final project, closely related to the chosen area of a professional focus. Students will formulate an extensive project answering a workplace or industry-related research problem or opportunity and analyze it with data, theories, and frameworks. Students must be able to defend their analysis and findings by communicating evidence-based recommendations clearly, persuasively, and credibly. 

Throughout all of these courses, students of AIB can expect to learn through quizzes, forum tasks, reflection, essays, reports, and more.  

Conclusion 

The AIB MBA in Canada stands out in a sea of business programs as a marvelous choice for students seeking further education to propel them ahead. Boasting a thoughtfully tailored approach to learning, high accessibility, and a range of relevant and interesting courses to help you succeed in the workforce, an AIB MBA is like a golden ticket in the ever-growing world of business. Reserve your spot today and step into your potential!