Create your story. Create your future.

We prepare ethical leaders for the global marketplace by providing an exceptional learning community where you are empowered to create your own story.

Admission Requirements

  • No Application Fee
  • No GRE Required

Study Format

  • Online
  • On Campus

Program Length

Application Deadlines

Jan, 03

Domestic Students

Spring 2025 Application Due | Classes Start Jan. 6, 2025

Nov, 13

International Students

Spring 2025 Completed File Due | Classes Start Jan. 6, 2025

Your Story Begins Here

The Concordia-Chicago MBA program is designed to assist you with business knowledge for your entire career. You can customize the speed and program that you need for your career goals. 

The MBA program is established in a turn-key, cohort format. The specialization courses are set up in an open enrollment. You are able to enroll in the specialization courses at any time during your MBA program or after you have completed all of your courses.

Innovative Curriculum

The business world around us is rapidly changing, and we’re ready to ensure you’re prepared to tackle it head on. As an MBA student, you’ll benefit from our core curriculum, focused on preparing graduates to thrive in an environment where data analytics, design thinking and AI are critical to individual and corporate success.

The Concordia-Chicago MBA core curriculum is broken into three distinct sections—Foundation Skills (12 hours); Thinking and Applied Artificial Intelligence (6 hours); and Business Strategy, Integration and Leadership Development (6 hours). This streamlined core, in addition to developing traditional business skills in subjects such as accounting, marketing and management, also includes cutting-edge courses in business analytics, applied artificial intelligence, design thinking and leadership, and ethical decision-making.

And that’s not all. We’ve redesigned the Accounting specialization to align with the latest changes in the CPA exam. Effective 2024, individuals sitting for the CPA exam licensure are required to choose one of three areas of focus for their exam. The updated Business Analytics and Reporting specialization is the first of what the College hopes will be three specializations for the updated CPA exam options. Those interested in the CPA exam can expect additional specializations tied to CPA exam requirements in coming years.

MBA Specializations

To view all requirements for each individual specialization, please refer to the Academic Catalog.

View the Catalog

Program Information

Getting Started

To be considered for admission to an MBA program, applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and submit the following documents:

  • Application for Admission: Apply online.
  • Objective Statement: Provide information on your future educational goals and/or objectives and their relationship to pursuing graduate work at Concordia University Chicago. 
  • Transcripts: Provide one official, sealed transcript from each institution through which a degree was earned. 
  • International Transcripts: Any foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a Concordia-approved international credentialing service, such as WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) or AACRAO. 
  • Two Letters of Recommendation: Letters should be from individuals able to comment on the applicant's academic proficiency, personal character and competence and effectiveness in professional work. 
  • Professional Résumé 

Submitting Application Documents

In addition to completing your online application, all admission materials must be submitted prior to the deadline for your anticipated term of enrollment to:

Concordia University Chicago
Office of Graduate Admission and Student Services
Addison Hall 158
7400 Augusta Street
River Forest, IL 60305

Grad.Admission@CUChicago.edu

GPA Requirements

Applicant's must show evidence of ability to achieve success in a graduate program through the following:

  • Full Admission: To be considered for Full Admission, candidates will present a cumulative grade point average above 2.85 or will have earned a master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher. 
  • Provisional Admission (available only to US residents and citizens): To be considered for Provisional Admission candidates will present credentials that generally satisfy full admission requirements, but need to satisfy additional admission requirements such as special program prerequisites. All admission requirements must be satisfied by the end of the candidate’s first semester of enrollment to continue in the program. 
  • Probationary Admission: To be considered for Probationary Admission, one or more of the following special conditions may exist: 1) a cumulative GPA between 2.25 and 2.84 (on a 4.0 scale); 2) holding a master’s degree with a cumulative GPA below 3.0; and/or 3) credentials/documents that raise cause for reservation for admission. Students admitted on probationary status must earn a 3.0 GPA in graduate course work within their first semester of enrollment to continue in the program. 

Pending Status

Students do not need to be admitted to their degree program in order to register for their initial semester. Students are placed on Pending/Student-at-Large guest status until all required documentation has been received and may attend classes for one semester. The Pending/Student-at-Large status does not apply to international students, and does not provide financial aid eligibility.

International Students

In addition to the above requirements, international students must meet the following:

  • English Language Proficiency

    A score of at least 72 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) must be obtained. A Michigan test score of at least 85 or a minimum of 61 on the Pearson Test of English (PTE) may also be accepted. Alternatively, a prospective student may submit proof of successful completion of Level 112 at an ELS Language School (ELS) or certificate of Completion of Program from an English Language Institute (ELI), along with a recommendation of the program director.

    International students who have earned an advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States, or students from an international English-speaking university (in which the lingua franca is English) need not submit English language scores.

  • Foreign Transcript Evaluation

    Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a Concordia approved international credentialing service.  Concordia accepts summary evaluations from WES (World Education Services), ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) or AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers). Students who want transfer credit towards a Concordia degree must request a course-by-course version of the foreign transcript evaluation.

International students must qualify for regular admission to a degree program to enroll in coursework. All documents should be submitted at least six to eight weeks prior to the student’s expected date of entry. I-20 forms will be issued after University acceptance is granted. The program length may vary for each student.

Built upon on a foundation of work and academic experience course focus on practical application and implementation of business knowledge so that you can apply your degree to your career starting on day one.

Requirements

The Masters of Business Administration degree, (without a specialization), requires 30 credit hours beyond the bachelor degree. These 10 courses consists of 9 Required Core Courses and one elective course form any of the MBA specializations.

Knowledge Assessment: In order to meet the accreditation requirements of ACBSP and to ensure quality and assurance of learning, students pursuing their MBA will take four self-leveling courses if they do not pass the respective assessments in economics, statistics, finance, and accounting. These assessment are taken during their first MBA course and are of no cost to the students. If students need to take these leveling courses, they will cost $40 each and the student will pay this directly to Peregrine. 

Outcomes

  1. Synthesize concepts from various business disciplines to develop business strategies.
  2. Develop a leadership framework to evaluate ethical issues in business.
  3. Analyze organizational and business challenges using critical and creative thinking to develop innovative business outcomes.
  4. Select appropriate information technologies to develop business solutions and improve organizational performance.
  5. Apply professional communication skills to facilitate business relationships.
  6. Integrate a global interconnectedness perspective into a business philosophy and practice.

The program outcomes build on the foundation of work and academic experience that you bring to the MBA program. They focus on practical application and implementation of business knowledge so that you can apply your MBA to your career starting on day one. Contact the Graduate Admission Office for additional program information and details.

 

The MBA program offers a tuition guarantee designed to help keep the cost of earning your degree affordable and predictable. As long as there are no interruptions in your course of study, we guarantee your tuition will remain the same and never increase while earning this degree. Tuition is separate from fees, which are subject to change.

In accordance with ACBSP standards, all Concordia University Chicago MBA students will take a Common Professional Component (CPC)-based comprehensive exam as part of their coursework in their first MBA course, MBAC 6000. The exam contains ten questions for each business topic, 40 questions total. The business topics include; Accounting, Finance, Macroeconomics/Microeconomics, and Statistics. The CPC exam is used to identify if there is a need to develop foundational business knowledge so that students will be successful when taking the graduate-level courses that comprise the common body of knowledge (CPCs) within the MBA program.

If a need is identified in a specific area, the student will be required to take an academic leveling course (ALC) in that specific academic area. The ALC self-paced module comprised of a 20-question pre-test, 4-6 hours of online instructional material, and a 20-question post-test. The assessment test is approved by Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) as a method to ensure quality in education and is a requirement for accreditation. Assessment fees for the pre-test, post-test and modules are not part of the tuition and are paid directly to the service provider, Peregrine.

The Leveling Courses will not affect admission but, if identified as necessary, will be required for graduation as prerequisites for the respective courses.

If you have further questions or concerns please email Business@CUChicago.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the structure of the Peregrine Academic Leveling program?

A. In MBAC 6000, you will be required to take the inbound comprehensive test. This test will cost you $36. This test will identify which quantitative academic leveling modules you will be required to take in the following subject areas: accounting, finance, economics and statistics. You must pass with a satisfactory score in each respective subject or take the associated module. Each module will cost you $35 and take 4-6 hours to complete. In MBAC 6990, you will be required to take the outbound comprehensive test. This test will cost you $36.

Q. Where will I find the Peregrine Academic Leveling program?

A. You will find the inbound comprehensive test, outbound comprehensive test, and all modules in Blackboard. Under you course list you will find a course listed as “COB-MBA-ALC: MBA Program Academic Leveling Course.” You will have access to this course your entire time at Concordia.

Q. Do I have to take the Peregrine Academic Leveling inbound comprehensive test, modules, and outbound comprehensive test?

A. If you started your MBA program at Concordia University Chicago in fall 2016 or after, you must complete the inbound comprehensive test in your first MBA course, identified modules based on your individual scores, and outbound comprehensive test in your last MBA course.

Q. Why is Concordia requiring me to take these tests and modules through Peregrine?

A. Concordia is requiring all MBA students participate in the Peregrine leveling program. The inbound and outbound comprehensive tests are for our reporting with accreditation and the modules are to be used as an educational tool. A GMAT, GRE or undergraduate business degree is currently not required for admission into the MBA program so this academic leveling program is our answer to accreditation when asked the question, “How do you make sure your students are prepared?” Research has shown that the quantitative courses that are required in the academic leveling program (economics, accounting, finance and statistics) are courses failed or retaken most often in the MBA program. Instead of having students retake a course for more than $2,000, the $35 fee for a leveling module is an affordable solution to make sure students are prepared before entering the MBA courses with or without prior subject knowledge.

Q. Does any aspect of the leveling program affect my final grade?

A. Your final grade will be affected. However, your grade will be impacted by completion and not by performance. You must complete the inbound comprehensive exam in your first MBA course, and outbound comprehensive exam (in MBAC 6990) for points that count towards your final grade.

Q. Does any aspect of the leveling program affect my course registration?

A. Your course registration will be affected. You must complete your leveling program module before registering for the respective MBA course. For example, if you do not pass the statistics section in the inbound comprehensive exam, you must complete the statistics Peregrine leveling module before you can register for the statistics MBA course.

Q. Will anyone else know my score?

A. The only people who will have access to your scores will be you, your quantitative professors, the graduate academic operations manager, and your graduate advisor. No one else will know your scores unless you choose to tell them.

Q. How are the inbound and outbound comprehensive exams presented to me?

A. The inbound and outbound comprehensive exam consists of 40 randomized, multiple-choice questions, ten questions from each subject: accounting, economics, finance and statistics. The questions are timed, approximately three minutes per question. The average time for completion is around 45 minutes.

Q. How are the leveling modules presented to me?

A. Each leveling module will contain a pre-test to access your weaker areas in that subject, tailor a 4-6 self-paced course to you to complete, and contain a post-test. The pre-test and post-test will contain 20 questions. You must pass the post-test with a satisfactory score. You have two attempts to pass the post-test before you will have to pay for the module again ($35).

Q. Should I prepare for the inbound comprehensive test?

A. You do not need to prepare for the inbound comprehensive test because it is meant to show you your baseline knowledge level and to help you focus your subsequent learning for weaker areas. If you would like to review for the inbound comprehensive test, here are the subject areas and overarching topics covered in the inbound comprehensive test.

  • Accounting: Assets and Liabilities; Audits, Auditing, and Balance Sheets; Capital Investments; Credits and Debits; Equity; Net Present Value
  • Economics – Macroeconomic Focus: Employment and Unemployment; Gross Domestic Product; Gross Domestic Product: Calculation, Use, Analysis; Income, Debt, and Investment; Inflation and Interest Rates; International Trade; Pricing and Price Indexing
  • Finance: Balance Sheets and Financial Statements; Cash Flows and Budgets; Debit, Equity, and Depreciation; Financial Ratios; Finance, Forecasting and Financial Planning
  • Statistics: Data Analysis Techniques; Descriptive Statistics; Hypothesis Testing; Inferential Statistics; Power Analysis; Probability; Sampling Errors; Sampling Methods and Research Design; Significance Levels; Simulation Modules; Type I and Type II Error

Q. After I purchase an academic leveling course module, how long can I access the materials?

A. You can access any academic leveling course for up to two years after purchase. This means that you can take the course, pass, and then have the option to review before your course begins or even during your course for additional refresh or help.

Q. Where do I go if I have questions?

A. You should contact Peregrine online or email the College of Business Business@CUChicago.edu.

Seminar in Higher Education (EDU 6015)

In addition to the base program curriculum, international students attending face-to-face classes on the CUC campus are required to take the Seminar in Higher Education, a 3-credit course.

Course Description

This course will serve as an introduction to the U.S.-based higher education learning environment. Students will work to understand Concordia University Chicago’s academic conventions, technological systems and communication culture while developing English grammar, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

The Seminar in Higher Education is an excellent opportunity for students to further develop critical skills to help them to be successful in their academic program. This 3-credit course is mandatory for international students attending face-to-face classes on the CUC campus. 

Course Objectives

  • Developing knowledge about local and academic culture
  • Building grammar, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills
  • Conducting graduate-level research with the use of electronic and library resources
  • Developing note-taking strategies for coursework
  • Reflecting on the U.S.-based education system

Academic support for work in students’ current coursework will also be provided during or after class. Guest speakers include representatives from the campus library, writing center and technology services.

Student feedback for the Seminar in Higher Education

  • After taking the Seminar, I have the ability to perform more professionally in my assignments.

  • The instructor was very dynamic and a good listener. He gave feedback and made sure all the students understood.

  • The hands-on activities after the lessons helped my learning experience.

  • The professor truly cares for the students. He helps students individually and encourages us to support our peers.

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