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Asper MBA

The Asper MBA program is designed to meet the market-driven needs of today’s industry professionals. With one of the most flexible and adaptable programs in Canada, the Asper MBA program is designed to help students build their leadership skills in any field. While personal and professional goals differ, our program provides the opportunity for career transformation in any industry.

Faculty

• Asper School of Business
• Stu Clark Graduate School
• Faculty of Graduate Studies
Degree

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Expected duration

• 1 to 6 years
Program options

• Flexible schedule

The Asper MBA is more than a degree

Stories of career transformation

"The [Asper] MBA opened new opportunities for me and my career has taken a path I would never have guessed." - Connie Walker [MBA/94], President & CEO, United Way Winnipeg

Hear from Connie and other Asper alum on how the MBA program elevated their leadership abilities while supporting career transformation in a variety of industries.

Watch testimonials (YouTube)

Design your course load

Our MBA program is one of the most versatile in Canada. Our innovative curriculum structure ensures you experience most specialty themes and functional areas through our cross-pollinating elective courses.

Reduced program core and expanded elective options give you flexibility to tailor your degree to achieve your personal and professional career goals. Focus your studies on any combination of theme or functional concentrations.

Learn from leaders in the field

Through one-on-one mentorship, gain insight about the industry you’re passionate about. Our Executive Mentor Program pairs Asper MBA students with senior level executives.

Online boot camps and workshops develop the skills necessary to succeed in the Asper MBA program and the business world.

Asper mentor programs

Experience business

Benefit from our experiential approach to learning. Tackle real issues and develop tangible solutions for businesses in Manitoba and across the globe.

Experiential learning opportunities include international study trips, live industry projects, complex global market simulations and international case competitions.

Work to your own schedule

Take your MBA during the weekday, evenings and weekends. Attend part-time or full-time, and switch it up if you need to.

You may qualify for a number of course exemptions, including for courses completed as an occasional student, Asper Executive Education courses, business management or economics courses completed in another program, and some professional designations.

Get involved

The Asper Professional Graduate Students' Association (APGSA) enhances the student experience by creating opportunities to form lasting relationships with colleagues and the wider Manitoba business community.

Grow your network, get to know your fellow classmates and faculty while gaining valuable leadership experience by taking part in the Association, or by participating in APGSA special events and initiatives.

International student success

Listen to Asper MBA international student Xiaolong Pan explain why the Asper School of Business was the best choice for him. He talks to IELTS Podcast about the benefits of our Career Development Center in furthering successful Canadian careers for students from around the globe.

Listen now

Man looking down at laptop, writing something on notepad.

Two males and two female students presenting with a crowd watching

Three Asper students work together at a round table looking at a book opened up in front of them.

A group of students standing up a stairwell

75%

Percent of students employed full-time after graduating
$88,298

Average salary for all MBA graduates
36%

Average percent salary increase of MBA graduates
83%

Percent of graduates who indicated that the Asper MBA met or exceeded their expectations

Program details

The Asper MBA program design will arm you with the skills, knowledge and experience you need to excel in today’s business world. We offer online preparatory courses, business fundamentals and strategy, and foundations for leadership development using experiential learning methods and critical and creative thinking.

Expected duration: 1 to 6 years

Estimated tuition and fees:

	Total tuition fees*	Additional fees/year**	Total book fees	Total program fees*
Canadian citizens and permanent residents	$35,450	$2,050	$3,000	$42,550
International students on a study permit	$48,500	$3,150	$3,000	$57,800

*Under the Manitoba-Minnesota Reciprocity Agreement, Minnesota residents may qualify for Canadian tuition fees.

**These are estimates. Please refer to Graduate tuition and fees for more details.

Learn more about Asper awards and scholarships for graduate students.

Program core

Our program core consists of 30 credit hours of business fundamentals and strategy, and a foundation in leadership, decision-making methods and contemporary themes that inform decisions in today’s business world.

Sample course offerings

Business foundations

GMGT 7200: Critical and Creative Thinking (1.5 credit hours)
ACC 7010: Accounting Fundamentals (3 credit hours)
FIN 7000: Managerial Economics (1.5 credit hours)
FIN 7020: Corporate Finance (3 credit hours)
GMGT 7220: Managing People in Organizations (3 credit hours)
SCM 7120: Operations and Supply Chain Management (3 credit hours)
MKT 7010: Marketing Management (3 credit hours)
ACC 7020: Managerial Accounting (1.5 credit hours)
SCM 7120: Management Information Systems (1.5 credit hours)
GMGT 7210: Strategy (3 credit hours)

The Strategy Capstone Course, to be taken in the last term of the program, provides a holistic perspective on managing an organization or business by integrating all the functional areas and themes explored in the Program Core.

Leadership

IDM 7000: Leadership and Practical Ethics (1.5 credit hours)
IDM 7120: Executive Leadership and Responsibilities - the CEO Course (1.5 credit hours)
IDM 7510: Strategic Leadership and Managing Change (1.5 credit hours)

Business themes

IDM 7130: Contemporary Themes in Business (1.5 credit hours)

Contemporary Themes in Business focuses on three themes: International and Emerging Markets, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation. These themes also inform the two Leadership courses and the Strategy Capstone Course. Together, they prepare you for the realities of business – and give you a distinct advantage in today’s competitive job market.

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar .

Flexible program options

Complete your 60 credit hours of course work:

Full Time: 12 months or up to two years
Part Time: Take up to six years (the average is three)

Flexible course offerings

We offer Asper MBA classes at the following times to fit your schedule:

Monday to Friday: daytimes and evenings
Saturday and Sunday: daytimes

Asper Master's Co-op Program

Asper MBA degree students can choose to include a four-month paid full time (420 hours) work term add to their program, in which students gain hands-on experience in a supportive and dynamic leadership environment. Students have the opportunity to apply their academic learning in a real-world context while building a professional network. These placements are made possible by the Asper Career Development Centre’s network of connections within Manitoba and across Canada.
- Learn more

Concentrations and themes

Tailor your MBA to your passion, your experience and the career you want. Focus your studies on two functional areas, two themes, or a combination of area and theme. To earn a concentration or a theme, you will need to complete 12 credit hours in the chosen area (with the exception of the Financial Analyst concentration). Not all elective courses are offered every year, so it may not always be possible to complete a desired concentration if choosing to complete the program over 12 months

Functional concentrations

Finance

A functional concentration in finance includes courses such as: Financial Intermediaries and Capital Markets, Investment Policy, International Finance, Portfolio Management, Financial Modeling, Behavioural Finance, Fixed-Income Securities, Alternative Markets and Instruments and Readings in Accounting and Finance (Ethics).

Leadership and organizations

A functional concentration in leadership and organizations includes courses such as: Interpersonal Processes, Negotiations, Business Venture Analysis, Business Analysis and Strategic Development, Business Case Competitions, Leadership for a Global Environment, Strategic Leadership and Sustainability and Managing Innovation.

Marketing

A functional concentration in marketing includes courses such as: Cultural Brand Management, Digital Marketing, Marketing Innovation, Consumer Insights and Social Change and Sustainability Marketing.

Supply chain management

A functional concentration in supply chain management includes courses such as: Quantitative Analysis, Project Management, Sustainable Lean Management and Business Process Management Using ERP Systems.

Specialized concentration

Financial analyst

The Asper MBA Financial Analyst specialized concentration prepares you to write all three levels of exams needed to obtain a Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, with a focus on the Level 1 exam.

The Chartered Financial Analyst® Institute sets professional and ethical standards for financial services professionals worldwide. We worked with the CFA Institute to map over 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge into our concentration.

You will graduate as a highly skilled and sought-after management professional fully versed in, and committed to upholding, the ethical standards and practices of the financial services sector.

All students pursuing this concentration will have to complete 30 credit hours of core MBA courses, as well as 22.5 credit hours of specialized Financial Analyst courses and 7.5-9 credit hours of other electives. At this time, this concentration can only be completed in 20 months or more.

Themed concentrations

International and emerging markets

Gain the skills and mindset you need to operate a business in international and emerging markets at various levels of economic and social development. This MBA theme shows you how to identify the opportunities, risks, growth potential and challenges you may encounter as businesses evolve in the developing and developed regions of the world.

Sustainability

Explore business from a triple bottom line perspective of People, Planet and Profit. Sustainable development recognizes the interconnectedness of economic prosperity, environmental integrity and social equity, and seeks to balance multiple forms of wellbeing (including financial, ecological and social) for stakeholders such as owners, employees, customers, suppliers, partners, government, society, and future generations.

Entrepreneurship and innovation

Whether your goal is to start a company or innovate in an existing organization, this MBA theme will hone your understanding of value creation and re-creation by exploring creative, innovative and entrepreneurial perspectives and behaviours.

Interdisciplinary concentrations

Health administration

An interdisciplinary concentration in health administration includes courses such as: Organization and Financing of the Canadian Health Care System (mandatory), Principles of Epidemiology (mandatory), Current Topics in Community Health, Research and Evaluation, Epidemiology of Health Care, Health Policy and Planning, Economic Evaluation of Health Care and Industry Project.

Managing public enterprises

Asper MBA students interested in the interface between private sector business and community/state governance and administration will be interested in this concentration, which is offered in partnership with the Masters of Public Administration program at the University of Manitoba.

Individual interdisciplinary program

Under the Individual Interdisciplinary Program option, students can create their own course package by selecting four courses that are relevant to them from other graduate programs at the University of Manitoba.

The package of courses must have a cohesive management theme and each course must be relevant from a management perspective. The package must be approved by both the host departments and the MBA Program Committee at Asper prior to taking the first course in the package.

Bootcamps and workshops

Our preparatory bootcamps and workshops help you develop the necessary skills to succeed in the Asper MBA program and in the business world.

Math bootcamp: online number crunching primer.
Information Technology bootcamp: online course that provides you with the basics of common productivity software packages used in the business world, with particular focus on Excel.
Career development workshops: opportunity to develop soft skills such as business etiquette, networking, resume-building and behaviour-based interview skills.

Take Asper MBA courses as an occasional student

Find out if the Asper MBA is right for you by taking an Asper MBA course as an occasional student. Earn up to 12 credit hours of exemptions from MBA core and elective courses when you decide to formally apply to the Asper MBA. That’s 12 credit hours toward your MBA degree, before you even commit to the program.

Learn more about studying in Asper as an occasional student

As an occasional student applicant, you do not need to submit your resume, references, nor a GMAT score – you must only complete your online application to occasional studies and submit past academic transcripts (you must hold a university degree to apply as an occasional student).

You will have one academic year of occasional student status from the time you start. Occasional student status expires August 31 each year and must be reapplied for in each new academic year within which you wish to have occasional status.

The courses that are available to Occasional Students are:
GMGT 7200 Critical and Creative Thinking
GMGT 7220 Managing People in Organizations
IDM 7510 Leadership and Change
MKT 7010 Marketing Management
IDM 7130 Contemporary Themes in Business
OPM 7120 Operations and Supply Chain Management
and a limited few Asper School MBA electives (that either don’t have a prerequisite or for which you took the core course first).

To get credit for occasional studies courses in the MBA, you must start the MBA no later than 5 years from when you took the first occasional studies course (to get credit for them all).

Only occasional studies courses with grades of C+ or higher qualify for exemptions. Occasional studies courses taken prior to admission to the MBA program will not count toward the MBA degree GPA. International students interested in taking a course as an OS will be part-time students and will not be in a degree program and must thus be familiar with all IRCC regulations surrounding their status in Canada as an occasional student.

Please also note that if you decide to start as an occasional student and later apply for the MBA program proper, that will be a new and separate application and a new application fee. Also, the tuition fees for occasional student courses are the same per course as for MBA students.

Learn more about occasional student admission requirements

Admission requirements

To qualify for admission to the Master of Business Administration program, you must have a minimum of:

A three-year bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0* (on a 4.5 scale) in the last 60 credit hours or 2 years of study (GPA of minimum 2.5 may be considered in some circumstances) *International student GPA calculation
Two years of full-time work experience is typically required.
Minimum GMAT (10th edition) (or equivalent GMAT Focus Edition or GRE) score of 550. See below for GMAT exemption qualifications.
One of the following English language proficiency test scores, if applicable:
- AEPUCE: 85% if entering AEPUCE with an IELTS of 6.0
- IELTS: 7.0, with no band less than 6.0
- PTE Academic: 65
- TOEFL- iBT: 100, with a score of 20 in each of reading, writing, listening and speaking

A GMAT score is valid for five years, while the English language test scores are valid for two years.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Each year, the program admits a small number of highly experienced and gifted individuals who do not hold a baccalaureate degree or whose GPA falls below 2.5. These individuals have significant professional background and a strong GMAT score. Preference in filling these limited spaces is given to local applicants.

GMAT exemption based on GPA

High GPA applicants may be eligible for entry via an alternative assessment process. If you have an admission GPA of 3.3 or above (based on a 4.5 scale, in the last 60 credit hours or two years of study), you may consider this alternative assessment path which either consists of a Skills Assessment or GMAC’s Business Fundamentals.

Skills Assessment

The Skills Assessment is a recorded video assessment that will test the skills typically found on the GMAT, including verbal communication, reasoning, logic, and quantitative skills.

This 30-minute assessment consists of five separately timed open-ended questions, two of which test your ability to reason and solve problems with quantitative methods.

Process: Can be requested up to the application deadline. Additional details and study resources will be sent by email after applying. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll receive an invitation link. You will have 3 days to complete the assessment in one sitting once the link is provided.
Length: 30 minutes.
Preparation: We recommend preparing in advance. You can refer to the study resources and sample questions from GMAT to help prepare for the quantitative section.
Exemption requirement: The assessment is scored and must receive a passing grade for the exemption to be granted.
Cost: No cost.

GMAC’s Business Fundamentals

GMAC’s Business Fundamentals is a self-paced, online course bundle designed to strengthen and demonstrate your foundational quantitative skills for the MBA program. Created by the makers of the GMAT exam, the program includes three courses: Accounting, Finance, and Statistics.

Each course will help you master the concepts through on-demand videos, short quizzes, written lessons, and exercises. You will complete a graded final exam at the end of each course.

Process: If your GPA qualifies, the first step is to purchase the course bundle through Asper’s unique link. Upon completion, you must submit your final exam scores by the application deadline. You’ll receive submission instructions by email after applying. As the completion of all three modules may take several weeks, we recommend you apply at least 6 weeks in advance of the deadline if opting for this path.
Length: Each course requires approximately 14–20 hours to complete, for a total of around 48 hours. Most participants take the courses over several weeks to allow adequate time for learning. Please allow time to complete before the application deadline as we must have received the certificate of completion by the application deadline.
Exemption requirement: A mean average of 80% or higher across the final exams of the three courses.
Cost: $199 USD for the three-course package.

If you already have a GMAT score of 550 or higher, you can submit your results to be exempted from this process. Please note that eligibility to take the GMAT Alternative Assessment Path is solely based on a minimum admission GPA of 3.3 or above

GMAT exemption for CPA, CFA, and P.Eng. designation

MBA applicants who hold the CPA designation (CPA Canada), the CFA designation, or the Canadian-based P.Eng. designation, are in good standing with their professional body, and have been practicing in their respective field for the past two years or longer would be exempt from the GMAT/GRE requirement.

GMAT exemptions for Asper Bachelor of Commerce graduates

MBA applicants with a degree GPA of 3.5 or higher who have graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce in the last 5 years would be exempt from the GMAT/GRE requirement.

GMAT exemption for University of Manitoba graduates

MBA applicants with a degree GPA of 3.5 or higher who have graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.Sc. in the last 5 years and have a grade of B+ or higher in Math 1230, 1500, 1501, 1510, 1520 or 1690 or another course in calculus with permission of the Asper School of Business MBA Admissions Committee and a grade of B+ or higher in Statistics 1000, 1001 or 1150 or another course in statistics with permission of the Asper School of Business MBA Admissions Committee would be exempt from the GMAT/GRE requirement.
MBA applicants with a degree GPA of 3.5 or higher who have graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.Eng. in the last 5 years and have a grade of B+ or higher in ENG 3000 and a grade of B+ or higher in Math 1230, 1500, 1501, 1510, 1520 or 1690 or another course in calculus with permission of the Asper School of Business MBA Admissions Committee and a grade of B+ or higher in Statistics 1000, 1001 or 1150 or another course in statistics with permission of the Asper School of Business MBA Admissions Committee would be exempt from the GMAT/GRE requirement
MBA applicants with a degree GPA of 3.5 or higher who have graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.A. in the last five years and have a grade of B+ or higher in two of ECON 2010, 2030, 3010, 3020 and have a grade of B+ or higher in Math 1230, 1500, 1501, 1510, 1520 or 1690 or another course in calculus with permission of the Asper School of Business MBA Admissions Committee and a grade of B+ or higher in Statistics 1000, 1001 or 1150 or another course in statistics with permission of the Asper School of Business MBA Admissions Committee would be exempt from the GMAT/GRE requirement.

How to apply

The MBA program accepts, reviews and processes applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, for two entry points – Fall (August) and Winter (January). All applicants, but especially international students, are encouraged to apply months in advance of the deadline date. Applying early will lead to an early admission decision and will allow the time required to apply for and secure student permits and student visas. Applications are submitted online and must include the following before they will be reviewed by the admissions committee:

Application fee (non-refundable)
Uploaded copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
Names and emails of two individuals whom you have worked for professionally (they will be contacted directly to complete a provided reference questionnaire about you)
Resume
GMAT/GRE score report
Proof of English language proficiency, if required
FIPPA for Agents form

Download the Asper MBA application checklist

Please read the Faculty of Graduate Studies online application instructions before beginning your application.

GMAT and GRE resources

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are standardized tests used to demonstrate academic qualification for graduate programs. Applicants to the Asper MBA must provide one of these test scores as part of the admissions process.

A history of business excellence

Established in 1968 and accredited by AACSB in 1999, the Asper MBA maintains a tradition of quality instruction and mentorship in business fundamentals, decision-making methods and essential leadership strategies.

In 2019, esteemed Asper School of Business alumnus and entrepreneur, Stu Clark, donated $10 million to the Asper School of Business to establish the Stu Clark Graduate School.

Application deadlines

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Applications are reviewed on a committee basis. The Admissions committee for Architecture reviews applications in March.

Applications open up to 18 months prior to start term.

Canadian and US applicants
Term	Annual application deadline
Fall (September)	January 15

International applicants
Term	Annual application deadline
Fall (September)	December 1

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated.

Term	Annual application deadline
Fall (September)	June 1
Winter (January)	October 1
Summer (May)	February 1

Term	Annual application deadline
Fall (September)	May 1
Winter (January)	September 1
Summer (May)	January 4

Term	Annual application deadline
Fall (September)	January 8
Winter (January)	June 1
Summer (May)	August 1

Term	Annual application deadlines
Fall (September)	May 15
Winter (January)	September 15
Summer (May)	January 15

Term	Annual application deadlines	Audition dates
Fall (September)	December 1	January 20-25, 2025
Winter (January)	Winter intake currently suspended

Term	Annual application deadlines
Fall (September)	March 1
Winter (January)	July 1
Summer (May)	November 1

Session	date limite
automne (septembre)	1 juin
hiver (janvier)	1 octobre
été (mai)	1 février

Session	date limite
automne (septembre)	15 janvier
hiver (janvier)	1 juillet
été (mai)	1 septembre

University of Manitoba

Asper MBA

Faculty

Degree

Expected duration

Program options

The Asper MBA is more than a degree

Stories of career transformation

Design your course load

Learn from leaders in the field

Experience business

Work to your own schedule

Get involved

International student success

75%

$88,298

36%

83%

Program details

Program core

Sample course offerings

Business foundations

Leadership

Business themes

Flexible program options

Flexible course offerings

Asper Master's Co-op Program

Concentrations and themes

Functional concentrations

Finance

Leadership and organizations

Marketing

Supply chain management

Specialized concentration

Financial analyst

Themed concentrations

International and emerging markets

Sustainability

Entrepreneurship and innovation

Interdisciplinary concentrations

Health administration

Managing public enterprises

Individual interdisciplinary program

Bootcamps and workshops

Take Asper MBA courses as an occasional student

Learn more about studying in Asper as an occasional student

Admission requirements

GMAT exemption based on GPA

Skills Assessment

GMAC’s Business Fundamentals

GMAT exemption for CPA, CFA, and P.Eng. designation

GMAT exemptions for Asper Bachelor of Commerce graduates

GMAT exemption for University of Manitoba graduates

How to apply

GMAT and GRE resources

A history of business excellence

Application deadlines

Canadian and US applicants

International applicants

Canadian and US applicants

International applicants

Canadian, US and International applicants

Canadian and US applicants

International applicants

Canadian and US applicants

International applicants

Canadian, US and International applicants

Canadian, US and International applicants

Application deadlines

Canadian and US applicants

International applicants

Application deadlines

Canadian and US applicants

International applicants

Canadian, US and International applicants

Canadian, US and International applicants

Canadian and US applicants

International applicants

Canadian and US applicants

International applicants