life changing
Master of Business
Administration
(MBA)
life changing
Master of Business
Administration
(MBA)
- Study 100% online
- Complete your MBA in stages
- Multiple entry and exit points
- Fast track options to get you further, faster
OVERVIEW
What to expect when studying a Master of Business Administration with ACAP
Uniquely practical and forward-thinking, ACAP’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) combines the human-focused knowledge you need with the in-demand skills employers want – it’s the MBA with a side of TLC. With a 40-year history of delivering tertiary education courses in applied psychology, the ACAP MBA delves into the traits needed to become an exceptional leader, fostering both soft skills – such as empathy, self-awareness, resilience, negotiation, flexibility, and emotional intelligence – and technical skills to produce well-rounded, career-ready graduates.
Accredited by TEQSA, our business administration courses will challenge your assumptions, promote critical thinking and provide you with the knowledge, tools and support to help you excel in your career – whether that be within large organisations, consulting opportunities, or startup businesses. In developing our MBA, ACAP collaborated with Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) to shape the program and create an ideal pathway for women to achieve organisational and personal transformation, enhance their business skills, and align with their aspirations through a formal MBA qualification.
Designed for those with prior qualifications or management experience, graduates of the ACAP MBA will develop advanced leadership skills, sharpen their decision-making abilities, and enjoy a forum for networking, collaboration and growth. If you have 5 or more years of professional experience in a related field, you can start your ACAP journey with a Graduate Certificate, step up to a Graduate Diploma, and continue to the top by completing our full Masters sequence.
With both standard and fast track options available, ACAP’s MBA can take you further, faster.
No matter which path you choose, you’ll emerge a better and more understanding leader – and gain a qualification or two on the way.
HOW THE ACAP MBA PROGRAM WORKS
Potential Careers
Once you graduate from ACAP’s MBA degree, you will open doors to a range of possible career opportunities. Listed below are a few typical roles you could consider.
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C-Level Executive
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Entrepreneur
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Operations Director
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Leadership Consultant/Mentor
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Management Consultant
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Accelerate your leadership potential with applied learning and practical skills embedded within each phase of our MBA degree. Develop human-focused expertise across a variety of key business areas, set to enhance your career prospects and shape your confidence as a leader.
Learn effective people management techniques to develop one of the primary investments a business makes – its people. Discover what it takes to become a leader who improves workplace communication, prepares employees for success and influences productivity.
Explore the ways businesses make short- and long-term financial decisions, and learn techniques to effectively evaluate projects, value financial securities, estimate the cost of capital, and formulate capital structure and dividend policies.
Investigate the need for change in an ever-evolving global environment. Explore key developing digital technologies and processes such as AI, the importance of data, blockchain and their implications for business development and strategy.
Examine how businesses can create and market value to ensure business success in today’s digital environment. Learn to identify what customers need and prepare a compelling value proposition in response.
Uncover the nature of enterprise, the process of entrepreneurship and the role of the entrepreneur. Learn to examine the risk and reward trade-off in starting a new business and investigate and reflect on successful entrepreneurial characteristics.
Through expert guidance, you’ll put your learnings into practice and address a strategic business question. You might work with an existing company, develop a start-up business plan, or address a business issue via a simulation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For the Master of Business Administration
A Master of Business Administration is one of the business management courses offered at ACAP.
The program is designed to cultivate expertise in leadership, strategy, finance, marketing, and operations. It prepares professionals across various industries to navigate complex challenges and drive organisational success.
While many MBA programs focus solely on these ‘hard’ skills, at ACAP, we also nurture students’ soft skills – such as empathy, flexibility and emotional intelligence – to produce well-rounded graduates and future leaders.
Offered 100% online, ACAP’s MBA pathway also promotes flexibility to ensure that students can manage their studies alongside personal commitments such as work and family.
Explore how our MBA program is empowering women in leadership, including how it addresses challenges faced by women in leadership positions and the positive impact it has on their career trajectory.
As a result of developing advanced business skills and fostering key soft skills, our MBA program can accelerate your career trajectory and even open doors to new opportunities.
Upon completing the program, graduates can expect increased earning potential, access to senior leadership positions, enhanced professional credibility, and career diversification opportunities.
ACAP’s MBA degree requires a minimum of 1 year, 8 months commitment to complete full time, with a maximum duration of 2 years. You may also choose to study part time.
You can apply if you meet our minimum entry requirements. You must:
- Be an onshore domestic student in Australia
- Have completed of an Australian undergraduate degree or higher, or an equivalent qualification, and
- Have 3-5 years of work experience in a professional context, or
- 5+ years of professional and/or managerial work experience in related fields such as business management, financial management, leadership, human resources or people management.
While we’re not currently accepting enrolments from overseas students on a visa in Australia, we will consider applications from overseas students looking to study online in their home country.
Like any postgraduate qualification, an MBA degree is designed to challenge you, expand your knowledge, and advance your skillset. It also requires dedication to your studies and a significant time commitment to ensure you get the most out of your degree.
Unique to the MBA, however, is that the skills and expertise you’ll gain throughout the program are applicable to a variety of professions, rather than a specific discipline. Completing the program will support your current and future goals as you progress through your working life – no matter which career path you choose.
All MBA programs have specific entry requirements students need to meet before they’re accepted to study. To discuss our admissions criteria and other related questions you might have, book a call with one of our expert Course Advisors.
At ACAP, our 100% online MBA program has multiple pathways for entry and exit.
For example, if you have 5 or more years of relevant professional experience without an undergraduate degree, you may be eligible to enter the program through our Graduate Certificate of Business Administration pathway.
Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate, you can choose to exit the program with your new qualification or progress further to the Graduate Diploma of Business Administration – which comprises 8 of the 11 required units for the Master of Business Administration qualification – before deciding whether you’d like to complete the remaining 3 units of study required to graduate with an MBA degree.
WHY CHOOSE THE MBA PROGRAM AT ACAP
Course structure
The Master of Business Administration course comprises 11 units split into stages:
- Stage 1 comprises four units of study. Upon completion of Stage 1, students can choose to exit the pathway and graduate with a Graduate Certificate of Business Administration.
- Stage 2 comprises an additional four units of study. Upon completion of Stage 2, students can choose to exit the pathway and graduate with a Graduate Diploma of Business Administration.
- Stage 3 comprises the final three units of study required to complete the pathway and graduate with a Master of Business Administration.
To find out unit delivery information view the relevant Yearly Planner.
The total course duration is a minimum 1 year 8 months full time or part-time equivalent. For more information on the recommended course sequence, click here.
Graduate Certificate of Business Administration (early exit of MBA)
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites: None
Unit Description:
This unit is a comprehensive introduction to the topic of leadership and professional development, addressing a broad range of issues ranging from personal leadership style, exploration of current and foundational leadership theory, through to change leadership in organisations. You will build the knowledge, skills, self-awareness and confidence to effectively lead in a variety of settings. As you grow in understanding of the role of leading in organisations, you will also develop a deeper understanding of your own leadership capacity, style and developmental needs.
Learning outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites: None
Unit Description:
Project Management is an established practice for initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing the work of a team to achieve specified goals and meet specified success criteria for a defined project. Project management is today an established profession driven by a range of best practice standards that are globally recognised. However, the major challenge of project management is to achieve all the project goals within the given constraints of scope, time, quality and budget.
Through timetabled activities, personal study, and collaboration with your peers in syndicate work, this unit will equip you with the project management skills required to identify, explain and critically apply the key processes, terminology and concepts relevant to the project management life cycle – including AGILE methods and SCRUM. You will be able to execute independent research and exercise professional judgement in solving complex and ethical dilemmas including contemporary issues such as sustainability and environment.
This unit will comprise weekly group synchronous and asynchronous discussions and case study analysis, together with formal assessments. Assessment tasks in this unit support your effective completion of the final MBA Capstone Project – students will be encouraged to consider how the learning outcomes for this unit will inform the continued development and final implementation of their project.
Learning outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Unit Type: AQF 8 Core
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites: None
Unit Description:
This unit covers the concepts, tools and techniques that managers use to make financial decisions in the contemporary business context. It is designed for the professional who will be using, rather than producing, accounting and financial information. Completion of the unit will raise your awareness of how businesses and corporate organisations make short- and long-term financial decisions.
You will learn the main responsibilities of financial managers, types of business costs, and assessment of financial statements. You will also learn how to evaluate projects, value financial securities, estimate the cost of capital and formulate capital structure and dividend policies.
Learning outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Examine and describe the functions of a financial manager in contemporary businesses and within the current regulatory and legal context.
2. Critically analyse company working capital using appropriate financial concepts and analysis techniques.
3. Critically evaluate the role and content of the four principal financial statements using effective strategies and apply accounting information for informed business decision making.
4. Evaluate future cash flows and their impact on long- and short-term business decisions.
5. Demonstrate a sound knowledge of project and capital asset evaluation and appraisal concepts and make investment decisions using appropriate capital budgeting techniques.
6. Evaluate corporate financial decisions related to capital structure and dividend policy aimed at maximising the value of the firm using appropriate tools and methods.
Unit Type: AQF 8 Core
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites: None
Unit Description:
This unit focuses on the topic of leading people and change, which also encompasses the more traditional area of human resource management.
You will learn effective people management techniques to develop one of the primary investments a business makes, its people. You will explore what it takes to become a leader who improves workplace communication, prepares employees for success and influences productivity, ultimately creating a positive workplace culture for a business to achieve its goals.
Learning outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Graduate Diploma of Business Administration (early exit of MBA)
Unit Type: Core
Credit points: 6
Unit Description:
The advent of Digital Transformation has radically changed both business processes and customer experience. This unit looks at the implications of these changes for both customer experience as well as for contemporary business practice. It takes a systems approach in analysing an integrated view of technologies, people, policy, and process. The unit emphasises the opportunities of utilisation of data, platforms, and ecosystems in business environments.
In this unit you will investigate the need for change in a continuing evolving global environment. You will also appreciate that digital transformation is largely business transformation with a digital lens, rather than a specific focus on technology. You will debate a framework of five essential elements of digital transformation. You will explore how to redefine customer experience in a digital world and explore the technique of journey mapping to reimagine both the customer and process journey.
You will explore key developing digital technologies and processes such as AI, the importance of data, blockchain and their implications for business development and strategy. You will also explore key elements driving digital transformation such as platforms and ecosystems, and why they are so essential in a digital world.
You will develop skills to plan and lead data-led digital transformation processes across the business. Digital processes are one thing, however as a leader you need to bring the entire organisation along for the journey. You will dep-dive into a methodology that allows this to happen.
You will also discuss digital governance, cyber-security.
Learning outcomes:
- Use models and theories of digital transformation and the digital economy to analyse business needs and opportunities
- Integrate data led business analysis and decision making to reimagine the customer experience in a digital world
- Develop and execute a high-level digital transformation strategy that integrates technologies, people, policy, and process, addressing both opportunities and risks
- Identify and evaluate existing and emerging digital processes such as AI and data analytics that impact business workflows and customer experience
- Lead digital transformation processes that change business cultures and consumer experience through clearly communicating value and opportunity. Identify a change process to embed the transformation
- Identify and evaluate global opportunities of digitally distributed systems
Unit Type: Core
Credit points: 6
Unit Description:
Marketing Strategy in a Digital World explores how businesses can create and market value to ensure business success in today’s digital environment.
In this unit you will learn how to identify what customers need and prepare a compelling value proposition that satisfies that need. You’ll then communicate it effectively, using fundamental methods and digital technologies, as a product-based solution that takes in to account major trends occurring in the external environment and business capabilities.
Learning outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Unit Type: Core
Credit points: 6
Unit Description:
This unit covers the system of rules that controls a company, how its performance is assessed and how organisations can positively influence environmental, social, and
economic development through their governance practices.
You will learn how to identify the stakeholders and their interests to develop a robust system of controlling a company. You will examine historical events that have led to modern models of corporate governance, and develop a company governance position on a contemporary issue that fosters sustainability.
Learning outcomes:
- Critically assess the key principles and theories in corporate governance in the context of practical models
- Consolidate and affirm the separation of business management and governance
- Synthesise recommendations that harmonise an organisation’s legal, ethical and social obligations
- Initiate and justify a policy suite for an organisation and outline a plan for its monitoring and oversight
- Outline the relevance to individual consumers and businesses of the role governments play in managing macroeconomic economic activity and in modifying market outcomes and regulating market failures
Unit Type: Core
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites: None
Unit Description:
This unit uses prior learning to focus on knowledge and skills relating to new ventures. It is an important pathway for the BUS5002 Entrepreneurship and BUS5100 Capstone Project units.
You will gain the knowledge, theory, critical analysis tools and practical skills to develop a full business plan focused on strategic innovation and presentation for a new venture, and present your pitch as you would in the workplace.
Importantly, this unit comprises key milestones for students working towards the Capstone Project.
Learning outcomes:
- Critically define, evaluate, and analyse the practices of design thinking for innovation, new venture creation and entrepreneurship
- Demonstrate how organisational culture and risk foster design thinking, innovation, and new venture generation
- Research, develop and produce a high-level business plan proposal and presentation pitch for an innovative new venture creation
- Test and assess the viability of the innovative new venture creation from the customer and market perspective
- Critically analyse the role of investors in innovation and new venture generation
- Synthesise organisational approaches to venture sustainability from ideation, to growth, pivot and even failure, taking into account some of the principles of design thinking
Master of Business Administration
Credit points: 6
Unit Description:
This unit provides you with an understanding of the nature of enterprise, the process of entrepreneurship and the role of the entrepreneur. You will learn to examine the risk and reward trade-off in starting a new business and will investigate and reflect on successful entrepreneurial characteristics. You will identify an opportunity and develop a full strategy, drawing together learnings from other units. You will also explore the role of entrepreneurs in the economy and different types of entrepreneurship.
Learning outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Credit points: 6
Unit Description:
This unit considers the way strategic management creates value through balancing organisational activities, practices, positioning and business development with the external business environment. The art and science of business strategy brings together mindset and metrics to meet the demands of competitive environments.
In this unit you will learn to think in multiple dimensions so that an organisation’s improved state is informed by considered risk assessment, organisational capacity, people and culture and viable modelling to the benefit of all stakeholders. With your new knowledge, you will create comprehensive strategic and communication plans to move an organisation forward and devise metrics to assess their efficacy.
Learning outcomes:
- Critically analyse the strategic environment for given scenarios using models and practices introduced in the unit
- Characterise the resources, capabilities and risk profiles of a number of given organisations
- Synthesise and appropriately scope new strategic directions, founded on critical analyses of given organisations
- Create execution and communication plans for strategy implementation that feature adaptive leadership
- Appraise the factors that explain market power and analyse the strategies businesses use to exploit the market power they enjoy
Unit Type: Core
Credit points: 12
Unit Description:
This unit is the culmination of the MBA learning experience; it brings together the content of previous units of study. You will have the opportunity to put all that you have learned into practice by addressing a meaningful and strategic business question, that may involve working with an existing company, developing a start up business plan, or addressing a business issue via a simulation. You will be supported by mentors and coaches throughout your capstone journey, who will encourage you to continually think outside the square to address your chosen business problem. You will work in small groups of peers with your mentor to create a think tank interactive learning environment.
View unit descriptions
- Have developed depth and breadth of knowledge and skills to analyse critically and integrate advanced business theories with current professional practice.
- Plan and execute innovative and sustainable solutions to complex real-world business challenges based on sound and considered theoretical foundations and problem-solving processes to work effectively with other professionals.
- Be able to critically assess, analyse and apply advanced business concepts and theories supported by rigorous scholarship.
- Be able to communicate effectively, in both formal and informal contexts, effective and responsible business solutions responsive to a variety of professional contexts and stakeholders.
- Have developed a detailed awareness of the global business sector.
Recognition of Prior Learning is available for some units the Master of Business Administration qualification. It is not available for the following units:
- Master of Business Administration BUS5200 Capstone Project