Master of Business Administration (Competency-Based)
Master of Business Administration
Next session begins SEPT 29. Some program start times may vary.
Call 844.YES.UOPX for full schedule and details.
Zip code:
Overview
Approx. program length:
1 year
Credits:
33
Accreditation:

Prepare to lead in your organization, faster
Businesses today face unprecedented challenges that can only be solved by the professionals who are on the ground, dealing with them. Which is why our new competency-based MBA equips you with advanced business skills in under 12 months. This program is designed for professionals with a business degree and experience working in that field.
What is competency-based education?
Instead of measuring your progress through lectures and written assignments, our competency-based programs assess your knowledge of real-world skills. You’ll take approximately four courses every 16 weeks, moving through the content through the completion of authentic assessments evaluated by your instructor.
This program gives you even more flexibility to balance school around your life. More importantly, it means every competency you master doesn’t just bring you closer to graduation — it's another skill you can use in the workplace.
How our two MBA programs stack up
Traditional MBA | MBA CB | |
---|---|---|
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM LENGTH |
18 months | 1 year |
CREDITS | 33 | 33 |
COST PER CREDIT | $698 + resource fees | $300 (no resource fees) |
TOTAL PROGRAM COST | $23,034 + resource fees | $9,900 |
SCHEDULE | One 6-week course at a time | Approximately four courses every 16 weeks |
COURSE STRUCTURE | Weeks consist of readings, videos, discussion, and assignments that measure your achievement against the course learning outcomes. | Self-governed with the assistance of your faculty — you progress through the content until you’re ready to be evaluated on authentic assessment based on the learning outcomes of the course and competency. |
Courses
Course length:
16 weeks
Total credits required:
33
Max. number of transfer credits:
0
Requirements and prerequisites
In a competency-based program, you earn credit by demonstrating your knowledge of a core skill, or competency. Since there are 33 credits in this program, one competency equals one credit.
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS
MGTCB/526: Managing within a Changing Environment
Competencies:
- Analyze the needs of organizations within a changing global business environment.
- Align operational needs with business strategies.
- Explain how evolving demographics and emerging technologies transform organizations.
ORGCB/535: People & Organizations
Competencies:
- Examine principles related to human resource management.
- Analyze talent management approaches used to build high-performance organizations.
- Align human resource systems with business strategies.
LDRCB/535: Leading Change
Competencies:
- Assess organizational culture to improve alignment between the culture, mission, vision, values, and strategies.
- Assess leadership theories and approaches to support organizational change.
- Develop strategies and tactics to implement positive organizational change.
BUSINESS FUNCTIONAL SKILLS
ECOCB/535: The Digital Economy
Competencies:
- Assess the effects of market structure on competition, production, and pricing.
- Analyze the relationships between government, business, consumer practices, and economic conditions.
- Evaluate economic theories and policies related to international trade and global business practices.
ACCCB/543: Managerial Accounting & Legal Aspects of Business
Competencies:
-
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- Employ strategic decision-making methods to budget, track, analyze, and control business costs.
- Evaluate laws, regulations, and business risks associated with business operations.
FINCB/571: Corporate Finance
Competencies:
- Assess cash flow, valuation, and key performance indicators for financial growth and sustainability.
- Evaluate the effects of economic and market conditions on financial performance.
- Distinguish between sources, requirements, and risks associated with various types of long- and short-term financing capital structure.
MKTCB/574: Marketing: Social, Mobile, & Analytics
Competencies:
- Develop marketing strategies to promote products and services.
- Analyze the role of market research and data analytics in marketing planning.
- Evaluate marketing communications channels to attract buyers and increase customer loyalty.
BUSINESS TECHNICAL SKILLS
DATCB/565: Data Analysis & Business Analytics
Competencies:
- Employ statistical methods used in data mining and descriptive and predictive analytics to support actionable business decisions
- Analyze business research to drive organizational decision making
- Examine statistical patterns and trends to highlight organizational performance and support organizational strategic planning
OPSCB/574: Creating Value Through Operations
Competencies:
- Evaluate data-driven processes and approaches of an organization’s operations
- Apply process improvement principles to enhance organizational performance and value
- Analyze organizational global supply chain process to maximize value
BUSINESS STRATEGIC SKILLS
MGTCB/576: Opportunity Evaluation & Value Creation
Competencies:
- Evaluate opportunities to add economic, social, and environmental value for an organization
- Evaluate competitive advantages and value-creating opportunities for organizations
- Develop a value-creation strategy for an organization
STRCB/581: Strategic Planning & Implementation
Competencies:
- Evaluate sustainable competitive advantages for an organization through a SWOT analysis
- Develop business strategies to create sustainable competitive advantage for an organization
- Justify an organization’s strategic plan to gain stakeholder support
Note: This program includes additional admissions requirements
- A bachelor’s degree in business or a related field
- Experience working in a business environment
Industry review
Our Industry Advisory Council, comprised of business leaders, meets regularly to help ensure our educational programs are up to date and aligned with current and emerging industry trends. This is just one more way a University of Phoenix® MBA degree can help you develop skills you’ll need in the business world.
Core courses
Careers & Outcomes
Job opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth for administrative services managers is projected to be 7 percent between 2018 and 2028. Information not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates. An MBA can help prepare you to be a:
- Business manager
- Facilities manager
- General manager
- Operations director
- Business administrator
Networking opportunities
Access powerful networking tools through our PhoenixLinkTM career services platform. Take advantage of personal career coaching. Search and apply for jobs, or make your résumé visible to employers. And connect with employers and alumni through career fairs and mixers. It’s all about connections. And we help you make them.
Learning outcomes
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learning outcomes.Review the annual assessment results (PDFs) for this program.
Accreditation
Accreditation:

Program accreditation
The MBA has been reaffirmed for accreditation until 2027 by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), ensuring the quality of your education.
What does that mean in real life? ACBSP-accredited business programs are committed to pursuing excellence in business program education. The program is regularly benchmarked against specific criteria that prepare students for their industry of choice. Accreditation occurs on a 10-year cycle with regular reviews.
View the completion and first-year persistence rates for all ACBSP-accredited business and accounting programs.
Download program info
Save this program information as a PDF to share or read at a later time.
What sets us apart?
When you choose our MBA program, you can:
The competency-based MBA enables you to earn your degree in as little as one year — and for less than $10,000.
With the assistance of faculty you can move as quickly as you’re able to learn each skill or concept — and be evaluated on authentic assessments when you’re ready.
Our Master of Business Administration is evaluated regularly by the ACBSP, ensuring the program meets accreditation standards.
Take the next step
It’s time to let your education prepare you for the next phase of your business career. You’ve got the will. And with an MBA degree from University of Phoenix you’ve also got the way.
Or call 844.YES.UOPX for more details.
While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.