MBA in Community Economic Development

Program Overview
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Program Types:
Program Duration:

General Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree with a B+ (75% average) from a recognized university
  • a completed online application form, with a non-refundable application fee
  • official transcripts for all previous post-secondary study
  • a resume detailing employment experience, skills, community involvement and interests
  • a two-page statement (approximately 500-800 words) outlining your background and interests, and why you are interested in joining the CBU MBA program – what it will do for your career, your organization, and/or your community
  • three reference letters, preferably including one professional and one academic

    *Note that each referee will be required to complete a secure referee form initiated by you through your CBU Future Student Account, identifying themselves and their relationship with you, and rating you on specific attributes identified on the digital form. After you have sent your request to each referee, please direct them to monitor their emails for an invite to fill out the referee form. Hard copy Reference Letters will not be accepted.

  • official score report showing satisfactory scores on the GMAT (for international students – minimum 500 with a balanced score) or GRE (for international students – minimum 304 with a balanced score)
  • proof that CBU’s English language proficiency requirements have been met (for students whose native language is not English)
  • work experience is not required but MBA course work will be more meaningful if you have some work experience
  • satisfactory performance in an interview (if applicable)
  • For Canadian candidates who do not have an undergraduate degree:

    Canadian candidates who do not have an undergraduate degree, and show potential or success in graduate level study, may be admitted to the MBA in CED as non-traditional students. Outstanding career and/or volunteer experience is expected. These candidates will be assessed individually in such areas as experience and performance in a number of education/training courses. Applicants must provide all documentation listed above along with proof of significant experience in managerial/decision-making positions and official copy of a high school diploma or equivalent academic credential.

  • Note regarding official documents

    The Educational Testing Service must forward GMAT/GRE and English language score reports directly. Photocopies of these documents will not be accepted.

  • GMAT/GRE Waiver

    Applicants who have completed a minimum of 2 years of undergraduate study in a North American, UK, EU, New Zealand, or Australian university with a B+ average may be provided with a GMAT/GRE waiver. Senior, experienced managers, who completed their primary and secondary education in Canada and show potential for success in a graduate program, may also qualify for a GMAT waiver. For more information on GMAT/GRE waivers, please email mba@cbu.ca.

  • See CBU’s English Language Requirements here.

General Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree with a B+ (75% average) from a recognized university
  • a completed online application form, with a non-refundable application fee
  • official transcripts for all previous post-secondary study
  • a resume detailing employment experience, skills, community involvement and interests
  • a two-page statement (approximately 500-800 words) outlining your background and interests, and why you are interested in joining the CBU MBA program – what it will do for your career, your organization, and/or your community
  • three reference letters, preferably including one professional and one academic

    *Note that each referee will be required to complete a secure referee form initiated by you through your CBU Future Student Account, identifying themselves and their relationship with you, and rating you on specific attributes identified on the digital form. After you have sent your request to each referee, please direct them to monitor their emails for an invite to fill out the referee form. Hard copy Reference Letters will not be accepted.

  • official score report showing satisfactory scores on the GMAT (for international students – minimum 500 with a balanced score) or GRE (for international students – minimum 304 with a balanced score)
  • proof that CBU’s English language proficiency requirements have been met (for students whose native language is not English)
  • work experience is not required but MBA course work will be more meaningful if you have some work experience
  • satisfactory performance in an interview (if applicable)
  • For Canadian candidates who do not have an undergraduate degree:

    Canadian candidates who do not have an undergraduate degree, and show potential or success in graduate level study, may be admitted to the MBA in CED as non-traditional students. Outstanding career and/or volunteer experience is expected. These candidates will be assessed individually in such areas as experience and performance in a number of education/training courses. Applicants must provide all documentation listed above along with proof of significant experience in managerial/decision-making positions and official copy of a high school diploma or equivalent academic credential.

  • Note regarding official documents

    The Educational Testing Service must forward GMAT/GRE and English language score reports directly. Photocopies of these documents will not be accepted.

  • GMAT/GRE Waiver

    Applicants who have completed a minimum of 2 years of undergraduate study in a North American, UK, EU, New Zealand, or Australian university with a B+ average may be provided with a GMAT/GRE waiver. Senior, experienced managers, who completed their primary and secondary education in Canada and show potential for success in a graduate program, may also qualify for a GMAT waiver. For more information on GMAT/GRE waivers, please email mba@cbu.ca.

  • See CBU’s English Language Requirements here.

If students wish to perform a preliminary assessment converting grades into the Canadian equivalent, please use the following tool: https://www.scholaro.com/grade-conversion/

Note that this does not guarantee acceptance into the program, and is to be used solely as a reference point.

CANADIAN DEADLINES
Winter 2024
December 1, 2024
Summer 2024
June 1, 2024
Fall 2024
August 1, 2024
SEE MORE >>
INTERNATIONAL DEADLINES
Summer 2024
January 15, 2024
Fall 2024
April 15, 2024
Winter 2025
August 15, 2024
Summer 2025
January 15, 2025
Fall 2025
April 15, 2024
SEE MORE >>
In order to register for courses, you must accept your offer and confirm your seat at CBU. For detailed steps on how to do this, please reference your acceptance letter in your future Student Account

Develop Stronger Economic Ties

Our communities are the threads that tie our country together. From helping to build a strong economic engine, to facilitating the cultivation of our healthy food, each community plays an important role in the development of our society. The Cape Breton community, although small in size, is big in opportunity. Here, you’re free to explore a welcoming island with warm people who see the same potential in you as you do in them.

The MBA in CED offers a leading edge curriculum that includes all business subjects found in traditional MBA programs, with an emphasis on economic development, leadership, governance and management of change. The program resonates with people who aspire to play leadership roles in the private, public and community sectors.

There are many MBA programs around the globe. However, the program found here at Cape Breton University is the only one in Canada that includes community economic development at its core. It’s for people who want to make a difference where they live and work. Here, we teach the lessons that inspire students to make a positive change wherever they go. The MBA in Community Economic Development has been offered by the Shannon School of Business at CBU since 1997.

Ready to Apply?

What is the tuition for this program?

These numbers are an estimate for planning purposes only. These numbers include tuition & fees for the entire MBA program.

  • Canadian Residents
    • Studying on CBU campus (traditional Fall/Winter semester & July residency): $29,102.64
    • Studying in person, off-campus (weekend delivery): $40,397.12
      • This includes the Brandon, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Toronto weekend delivery cohorts.
  • International Residents
    • Studying on CBU campus (traditional Fall/Winter semester & July residency): $46,140.64

MBA Planners & Sample Courses

Why study at CBU?

As one of Canada’s youngest and most ambitious post-secondary institutions, Cape Breton University is focused on creating some of the most relevant, progressive and innovative programs in the world. Our MBA in Community Economic Development is the only program of its kind in North America. This degree delivers advanced business knowledge and skills to make a difference in the local and global community. In addition to being offered in Sydney, Nova Scotia, the program is delivered on weekends in six locations in face-to-face classes with acclaimed faculty from across Canada. Off-site venues include: Brandon, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Toronto.

Accreditations

CBU is a Canadian public university, established by legislation in the Province of Nova Scotia, and accredited by Nova Scotia’s Department of Education and the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission.  It is a fully accredited member of:

  • The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)
  • The Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU)
  • The Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (CONSUP)

Additionally, CBU’s MBA in CED is accredited by:

  • The Campus Alberta Quality Council
  • The Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities
  • The Saskatchewan Higher Education Quality Assurance Board
    • This program is offered with the written authorization of the Minister of Advanced Education effective July 1, 2020. This authorization was provided after the program proposal underwent a quality assurance review and was found to meet the standards established by the Minister. Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs.

 

What skills will I gain from this program?

  • Advanced analytical and strategy skills
  • Advanced interpersonal and communication skills
  • Advanced research skills
  • Application of an international perspective to risks and opportunities in managerial decisions
  • Integrated knowledge through interdisciplinary approaches
  • Management of change, growth, and new opportunities
  • Strategic leadership
  • Understanding of the role of business and community in affecting the economy, quality of life, health, and the environment
  • Understanding of community economic development and business

Possible Career Paths

  • General Management
  • Executive Director
  • Policy Analyst
  • Consulting

Experiential Learning Opportunities

  • Applied Research Projects (ARP)
    • CBU recognizes the value of, and demand for, research skills in the public, community and private sectors. Given this, CBU is one of the few institutions that requires a mandatory research project as the culmination of the MBA in CED degree.
    • The ARP is the MBA in CED capstone deliverable. Under the supervision of a research advisor(s), this project provides the opportunity to engage in experiential learning through direct involvement with a community, company, government agency or non-profit organization.
  • Community Action Research
  • Community-Based Participatory Research
  • Community-Engaged Research with Community-Based Organizations
  • Guest Speakers
  • Media/Videos Projects
  • Simulations

To learn more about CBU’s Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development, please email mba@cbu.ca. 

Faculty & Staff

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