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Self-Designed MBA
Master of Business Administration
Tailor your business education to your personal career aspirations with Capella’s Self-Designed MBA degree. You’ll start with core business fundamentals like leadership, accounting, operations and analytics. Then you’ll build on this foundation by choosing electives in areas that mean the most to you, whether you want to focus on management skills, data analysis expertise or an entrepreneurial mindset. Build a competitive edge with an MBA program aligned to your professional goals.
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 11 months and under $13,000.
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.
Explore business administration courses
- This degree requires a total of 23 program points in FlexPath or 45 program credits in GuidedPath
- You’ll need to complete seven core courses, three specialization courses and one capstone
Show all descriptions
MBA5002
MBA Leadership
4 quarter credits
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. Must be taken during the first quarter by learners who have been admitted to the MBA degree program. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.
4 quarter credits
MBA5008
Applied Business Analytics
4 quarter credits
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.
4 quarter credits
MKT5410
Digital Marketing
4 quarter credits
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
4 quarter credits
This course is an introduction to new ventures and entrepreneurial feasibility, research, funding, and planning for new venture opportunities. Learners investigate legal structures of entrepreneurial ventures, examine factors that influence the selection process, evaluate the feasibility of a venture concept, identify a customer base and market, and consider funding options for the business venture.
4 quarter credits
Try FlexPath for yourself
In our FlexPath Trial Course, you will explore online self-paced learning, experience the courseroom and view a sample assessment.
What you’ll learn
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 and global environments
- Integrate principles of ethics and integrity into business decisions
- Communicate clearly and effectively in a business environment
Program eligible for Experiential Learning
Use your experience: bring your real-world projects into the courseroom to complete assignments and demonstrate what you're learning.
How much does the MBA cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on your learning format, academic performance and other factors. See FlexPath and GuidedPath cost information below.
A self-paced learning format that helps put 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 core courses at a time and complete as many as you can in 12 weeks
- 2 Capella quarter credits = 1 program point
- Set your own deadlines, no courseroom discussions
- Pay a flat tuition fee per 12-week billing session
- $3,035 per 12-week billing session
- $175 resource kit
- 23 total program points
- 6 max transfer points
$15,175
ACCELERATED PACE 12 months
$21,245
TYPICAL PACE 17 months
$30,350
SLOWER PACE 26 months
*This is only an estimate, effective July 7, 2025, and is subject to change.
Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include your resource kit, travel expenses and practicum costs.
Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances such as your program specialization, transfer credits, any applicable tuition discounts and how quickly you complete courses. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses are not included. Tuition estimates shown for the FlexPath learning format assume average number of credits and are based on:
- "Accelerated pace” (speed of fastest 25% of FlexPath students)
- “Typical pace” (median speed of FlexPath students)
- “Slower pace” (speed of fastest 75% of FlexPath students)
New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Military Tuition Assistance is not available for the FlexPath learning format. Review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Get the details
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education.
Connect with an enrollment specialist to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
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 quarter
- $855 per credit
- $175 resource kit
- 45 total quarter credits
- 12 max transfer credits
$38,475
NO TRANSFER CREDITS 27 months
*This is only an estimate, effective July 7, 2025, and is subject to change.
Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include your resource kit, travel expenses and practicum costs.
Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances such as your program specialization, transfer credits and any applicable tuition discounts. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses are not included. Tuition estimates shown for the GuidedPath learning format depend on the number of credits accepted for transfer.
New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Get the details
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education.
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
Are there scholarships available for master's degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella 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.
What are the MBA admission requirements?
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
- Admission application – no application fee required
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 3.0, although those with lower GPAs may be considered if providing additional documentation for review.
Transition to FlexPath: Applicants whose GPA is below the FlexPath admission threshold may be considered once they successfully complete at least two GuidedPath courses (or eight credits, whichever is greater) with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
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.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.
Articles and resources
Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.
Pave your own path with a self-designed MBA
Customize your MBA to focus on business disciplines including finance, marketing, strategy, and business analytics.
How does FlexPath work?
There's so many things that make FlexPath unique. Learn more about what you can expect to see as a FlexPath student.
8 Skills to Demonstrate Career Readiness
You may be surprised to learn that college graduates with the same degree may not exhibit the same level of career readiness.
What can you do with an MBA degree?
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*
- Account manager
- Director of business development
- Director of human resources
- Director of operations
- Director of sales
- General manager
- Product marketing manager
- Project manager
- Marketing manager
Potential employment settings to explore*
- Administrative management and general management consulting services
- Colleges, universities and professional schools
- Commercial banking
- Computer related services
- Direct health and medical insurance carriers
- Miscellaneous retailers
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.