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Graduate Studies Calendar 2021-2022 Program Descriptions Haskayne School of Business: Management MGMT MBA (Thesis-Based)
MBA (Thesis-Based)
Contact Information

Location: Scurfield Hall, Room 302
Phone: 403.220.6073
Fax: 403.282.0095
Email address: mbarequest@haskayne.ucalgary.ca
Web page URL: haskayne.ucalgary.ca

1. Degree Offered

Master of Business Administration (MBA) - thesis-based

MBA Specializations:

  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Finance
  • Global Energy Management and Sustainable Development
  • Marketing
  • Project Management
  • Real Estate Studies

Interdisciplinary Specialization:

2. Admission Requirements

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements for Admission, the program requires:

a) A Bachelor of Commerce with a minimum grade point average of 3.30 on a four-point scale.

b) For applicants required to present proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL (Internet-based) score of 97 with no section less than 20, an IELTS score of 7.0 with no section less than 6.0, a PTE score of 68 or a CAEL overall score of 70. This requirement can also be met by completing the Academic Communication Certificate (https://esl.ucalgary.ca/programs/academic-communication-certificate) with a minimum overall grade of "A-".

c) A current résumé.

d) A 250-word response to each of the following questions: “How, considering your career progress to date, does an MBA fit in with your future career goals?” and “When thinking of your own personal successes, were they a result of your own personal skills or your ability to work with others? Please describe”.

e) Completion of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT*). A minimum GMAT score of 600 or an equivalent GRE is required for the thesis program.

f) Two reference letters.

g) Applicants may be interviewed by a member of the Admissions Committee as part of the application screening process.

*Consult the Haskayne School of Business about the Graduate Management Admission Test.

4. Advanced Credit

See Advanced Credit section in this Calendar.

5. Course Requirements

a) A minimum of 24 units selected by the student in consultation with their supervisor. Among these 24 units, a course in research methods (Management Studies 773) plus Strategy and Global Management 601, 602 or 603 are required. MBA Thesis students are also invited and encouraged to take one or more doctoral-level courses as part of their programs.

b) Approval of each individual's program by the Director, MBA (thesis-based) Program.
Students who lack courses in one or more of the functional disciplines in management (i.e., accounting, business technology management, finance, organizational behaviour and human resources, operations management, marketing) may be required to take courses in those areas in partial fulfillment of their program either as part of, or in addition to, the normal 24 units requirement.

6. Additional Requirements

Attendance at an orientation session is mandatory for all incoming students in all MBA program options.

7. Credit for Undergraduate Courses

Credit for undergraduate courses taken prior to admission may be granted based on the approval of the Graduate Director (MBA Program).

8. Time Limit

Five years.

9. Supervisory Assignments

MBA (thesis-based) students are required to have secured a permanent supervisor within the first twelve months of their program.

10. Required Examinations

Thesis Examination

MBA thesis students will complete an oral thesis examination at the end of their programs. The student presentation portion of the thesis examination is public. In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations for Thesis Examinations, the program requires:

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s research, including a relevant written sample of the materials related to the thesis, before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program.

11. Research Proposal Requirements

Students whose research involves human subjects must receive approval from the Haskayne School of Business and from the University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board before beginning data collection. MBA (Thesis) students must secure approval from the supervisor before beginning thesis research.

12. Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, please see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.

MBA Thesis students applying for scholarships must submit their applications to the Program Director by January 15.

All admitted full-time MBA students will be automatically considered for Business scholarships.