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Master of Business Administration
Self-Designed
Pave your own career path with a Self-Designed Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Capella. This program lets you customize your MBA to focus on business disciplines such as finance, marketing, strategy, and business analytics. Tailor your program to fit your goals. Choose from an array of business courses and eligible graduate-level courses. Your abilities and ambitions are unique—your MBA can be too.
Classes start March 8
Use the code WINTER to waive the $50 application fee.
At a Glance
- Online
- FlexPath available
- 7 Core courses
- 3 Elective courses
- Capstone
- 45 Total credits (12 max transfer)
With FlexPath, you can earn your MBA in 14 months and under $14,000.*
*Based on the fastest 25% of students. Your program length and cost will vary by transfer credits, the per-session cost, and how quickly you complete courses. Books, supplies, and other fees apply.
Admission requirements
Applicants to the Self-Designed MBA program must provide the following information for admission:
- A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- A $50 non-refundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation, and other administrative costs
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
FlexPath admission requirements
Applicants for our FlexPath Self-Paced Learning option must also meet the following criteria:
- The recommended minimum GPA is 2.8, although those with lower GPAs may be considered if providing additional documentation for review.
Step into FlexPath is an option for those who don’t qualify for FlexPath. Start a program in our GuidedPath learning format, and then transition into FlexPath upon successful completion of one course, at a 2.8 GPA or higher.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
A self-paced learning format that puts you in control. Take courses at your own speed and move on to the next course whenever you’re ready.
- Enroll in one or two courses at a time and complete as many as you want in 12 weeks
- 2 Capella quarter credits = 1 program point
- Set your own deadlines, no courseroom discussions
- Pay a flat tuition fee per session*
$13,750–$22,000*
ACCELERATED PACE–TYPICAL PACE
$2,750 per 12-week billing session, 23 total program points, 6 max transfer points
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$26,565–$36,225*
MAX TRANSFER CREDITS–TYPICAL TRANSFER CREDITS
$805 per credit, 45 total quarter credits, 12 max transfer credits
* This is only an estimate, using general program pricing. Your price may be higher or lower depending on your specialization, transfer credits, tuition discounts, and (in FlexPath) the speed at which you move through the program. Fees, including application fees and resource kits, are not included in this estimate. The GuidedPath prices show the tuition you would pay if you brought in the average number of transfer credits or the maximum allowed transfer credits. The FlexPath prices show the tuition you would pay if you brought in an average number of transfer credits and you moved at the speed of a typical FlexPath student or as quickly as the fastest FlexPath students (90th percentile). New or recently revised programs base their estimate on comparable programs. Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is not available for FlexPath.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
“The top benefit for me is that I can study and finish at my own pace, which changes week to week and month to month.”
Courtney Sanders* – MBA FlexPath
*Actual FlexPath student compensated for appearing in Capella promotional materials.
| MBA5002 |
MBA Leadership
This course covers contemporary models of leadership and examines behaviors and skills of effective leaders. Learners assess their own leadership strengths and how to lead effectively in their work settings. Learners also analyze ways in which leaders use their skills to support innovation, change, and collaboration within organizations. For MBA degree and certificate program learners and non-degree learners only. Must be taken during the first quarter by learners who have been admitted to the MBA degree program. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or prior learning assessment. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| MBA5008 |
Applied Business Analytics
This course introduces learners to business analytics and its role in evidence-based decision making. Learners examine data and analytics techniques that create relevant, actionable, and meaningful information. For MBA degree and certificate program learners and non-degree learners only. |
4 quarter credits |
| LEAD5210 |
Leading Global and Diverse Cultures
In this course, learners analyze aspects of leading and working in global and diverse environments. Learners gain an understanding of the personal and professional role of leadership in diverse cultures, core strategies used to lead more effectively within those cultures, and their own capacities as global leaders. |
4 quarter credits |
| MKT5410 |
Digital Marketing
Learners in this course analyze how the internet and social media have transformed marketing strategy in today’s interactive marketplace. Learners explore how companies can extend marketing theories and models to leverage digital marketing tactics such as SEO, lead generation, sales funnels, and social media. Learners also explore how mobile optimization, metrics, and marketing analytics drive strategic business goals and objectives. |
4 quarter credits |
| ENTR5412 |
New Ventures and Entrepreneurship
This course is an introduction to new ventures and entrepreneurship including entrepreneurial feasibility, research, planning, and funding for new venture opportunities. Learners investigate legal structures of entrepreneurial ventures, examine factors that influence the venture selection process, evaluate the feasibility of a venture concept, identify a customer base and market, and consider funding requirements for the business venture. |
4 quarter credits |
The Self-Designed MBA provides an introduction to foundational business disciplines including leadership, accounting, finance, marketing, operations, strategy, and business analytics. In this specialization, you can incorporate courses in a variety of disciplines to meet your unique interests and career goals.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Apply foundational knowledge and an understanding of business systems, processes, and technology within and across core disciplines
- Integrate information across disciplines and from differing perspectives
- Think critically and analytically to provide evidence-based solutions to business challenges and opportunities
- Apply innovative, strategic, and sustainable approaches to business practice and planning
- Lead and collaborate in virtual, global and culturally diverse environments
- Integrate principles of ethics and integrity into business decisions
- Communicate clearly and effectively in a business environment
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with a Self-Designed MBA.
Job titles to explore
- Marketing manager
- Product marketing manager
- Director of marketing
- Senior financial analyst
- Business analyst
- Account manager
- Director of finance
- Sales manager/director
- Human resources manager/director
- Project manager
- Vice president of operations
- C-level officer (CEO, CFO, CLO, COO)
Potential employment settings to explore
- Health care organization
- Bank
- Financial services organization
- Manufacturing organization
- Consulting firm
- Insurance agency
- Software publisher
- College or university
- Community or technical college
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
Why Get an MBA?
Explore some of the main reasons to pursue an MBA, and the diverse career choices available to graduates.
Experiential Learning Delivers Real-World Results
An executive director describes the mutual benefits of working with Capella MBA students to solve business challenges.
Reasons to Consider a Self-Designed MBA
A self-designed online MBA allows students to customize their program to fit specific needs and career goals.