Calvin University (Michigan) Online MBA

Calvin University offers an online master of business administration (MBA) with a general track or one of four concentrations in marketing, finance, applied communication, or nonprofit management. This online MBA is designed for students who want to grow as faithful innovators and leaders while building strong business knowledge. In most courses, students learn through real-world experiences by engaging with real professionals and companies.

The Calvin MBA is mostly asynchronous and online, giving students the flexibility to complete their degree while managing work and personal responsibilities. Students learn within cohorts, attend some synchronous sessions in each course, and take part in two one-week summer residencies on Calvin’s campus.

Students can work with an advisor to organize their electives around a specific focus area. The marketing focus helps students build advanced knowledge in areas such as marketing strategy, digital marketing, and consumer behavior. The finance focus allows students to deepen their understanding of corporate finance, including operational finance, sources and cost of financial capital, and strategic corporate finance.

The applied communication focus gives students the opportunity to choose electives that strengthen their ability to communicate effectively in professional settings. The nonprofit management focus prepares students for leadership roles in nonprofit organizations through studies in nonprofit boards, community leadership, and nonprofit financial management. Students may also choose other approved graduate courses to create a customized elective plan.

The program is designed for students seeking a flexible graduate business education that connects leadership, innovation, and practical business skills. The online MBA is offered both part-time and full-time and can be completed in 13 to 25 months, depending on the speed of study.

Calvin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

What to Expect from the Calvin University Online MBA

Admission Requirements: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited higher learning institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The GMAT or GRE is not required unless an applicant has less than a 3.0 GPA. Application materials include an online application, official transcripts, and a 500-word essay. No work experience is required.

Study Plan: The Calvin University online MBA is a 36-credit, cohort-based program. You can complete it in 13 to 25 months, either full-time or part-time. Courses last seven to eight weeks each, and start six times per year: two in the fall, two in the spring, and two in the summer.

The program includes two one-week summer residencies on Calvin’s campus. These are five-day on-campus immersion experiences. Each MBA course typically requires 15 to 20 hours of work per week. Courses include a weekly 90-minute live session focused on collaborative and experiential learning. Students receive schedules, projects, and assignment deadlines in advance to help them balance their studies with work and other responsibilities.

MBA Curriculum: The Calvin University online MBA combines business essentials, leadership and innovation courses, and electives. Students pursuing the general MBA can work with an advisor to select approved electives, while those seeking a specific focus can organize their studies around applied communication, finance, marketing, or nonprofit management.

The business essentials courses are marketing concepts; accounting; operations and supply chain; and corporate finance. Some or all of these courses may be waived if students have completed similar undergraduate courses with at least a B within the past five years.

The leadership and innovation coursework totals 15 credits and is completed with a cohort over 13 months. Courses include leadership: service, influence, and transformation I and II; team and organizational leadership; ethical leadership; innovation and organizations I and II; and innovation and strategy.

The applied communication focus includes storytelling across media platforms; advanced advertising; and audience research and analytics. The finance focus includes operational corporate finance; sources and cost of financial capital; and strategic corporate finance.

The marketing focus includes marketing strategy; digital marketing; and consumer behavior. The nonprofit management focus includes nonprofit boards and community leadership; nonprofit financial management; and designing an effective nonprofit organization.

Other options include data wrangling; predictive analytics; data visualization; and other approved graduate courses as elective options. Students work with an advisor to choose electives that fit their interests and professional goals.

Online Experience: The Calvin University MBA is taught mostly online through asynchronous coursework, giving students flexibility to study around their other responsibilities. Students learn with a cohort and participate in some live online sessions in each course. Most courses also include hands-on learning through engagement with real companies and professionals. Courses are delivered through Moodle.

On-Site Requirements: The MBA requires two one-week summer residencies on Calvin University’s campus. These campus experiences complement the online coursework and support the program’s emphasis on learning together as a community.

Paying for the Calvin University Online MBA

Calvin University online MBA program tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. Prospective students should contact the Calvin University graduate admissions department for cost clarifications and updates.

Online MBA students may be eligible for federal Stafford loans and Graduate PLUS loans as determined through the FAFSA. In addition, Calvin University may offer graduate scholarships to students.

Finally, employers may offer tuition reimbursement or tuition discounts, and students may seek outside funding, such as community, organizational, and other scholarships and grants.

Calvin University Online MBA (General)

  • Calvin University offers a general MBA or a concentration in nonprofit management
  • Both part-time and full-time pathways are available for completion in 12 to 24 months
  • Taught from a Christian worldview to prepare graduates to be agents of renewal in the world
Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 6 Start Dates - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 2 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 36
Time to Complete? Complete in 13 to 25 months
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation None
Areas of Concentration Nonprofit Management, MBA (General), Finance, Marketing
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree or higher
GPA Required? 3.0 or higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE for 3.0 GPA and above
Work Experience Required? No work experience is required
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 36
Average Cost Per Credit $673.00
Estimated Program Tuition * $24,228

Calvin University Online MBA - Applied Communication

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 6 Start Dates - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 2 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 36
Time to Complete? Complete in 13 to 25 months
100% Online? No - Two 1-week residencies on campus
Program Accreditation None
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 3.0 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required
Work Experience Required? No
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 36
Average Cost Per Credit 693
Estimated Program Tuition * $24,948

Calvin University Online MBA - Finance

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 6 Start Dates - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 2 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 36
Time to Complete? Complete in 13 to 25 months
100% Online? No - Two 1-week residencies on campus
Program Accreditation None
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 3.0 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required
Work Experience Required? No
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 36
Average Cost Per Credit 693
Estimated Program Tuition * $24,948

Calvin University Online MBA - Marketing

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 6 Start Dates - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 2 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 36
Time to Complete? Complete in 13 to 25 months
100% Online? No - Two 1-week residencies on campus
Program Accreditation None
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GPA Required? 3.0 or Higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE required
Work Experience Required? No
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 36
Average Cost Per Credit 693
Estimated Program Tuition * $24,948

Calvin University Online MBA - Nonprofit Management

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 6 Start Dates - 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 2 Summer
Credits Needed to Graduate 36
Time to Complete? Complete in 13 to 25 months
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation None
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree or higher
GPA Required? 3.0 or higher
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE for 3.0 GPA and above
Work Experience Required? No work experience is required
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 36
Average Cost Per Credit $673.00
Estimated Program Tuition * $24,228

* Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the out- of- state, part-time student rate. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Total cost of tuition does not include additional fees, unless otherwise specified. Please see the school website for the most up-to-date tuition costs.

Sara Navratil
Sara Navratil
Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She's the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about entrepreneurial and general business topics, and providing detailed information on online MBA programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.