CMA-MBA Programs

UBC CMA/MBA COMBINED PROGRAM
Changes Effective Fall 2009

This innovative and unique program combines the Strategic Leadership core of Certified Management Accountants and the results-focused curriculum of the Sauder MBA into a program that allows qualified applicants to work towards their CMA designation upon completion of their MBA.

To complete the Combined CMA/MBA program, the following minimum requirements must be met:

Successful completion of the UBC MBA with a passing grade in all the required courses.
Completion of two years of relevant practical experience.
Successful completion of CMA Accelerated Program (online or classroom based).
Passing the three main CMA evaluation components: Entrance Exam, Case Exam, Board Report.

COURSES

The applicant must apply for the program either in the last year of the program, or within 1 year of completing the MBA

The following courses must be successfully completed (60% pass minimum on each course) as part of the MBA program at UBC. These requirements most closely match the Strategic Management concentration.

Mandatory courses

Completion of Pre-Core
BAAC 500 – Financial Reporting
BAAC 501 – Financial Statement Analysis
BAAC 510 – Cost Analysis for Decision Making
BAAC 511 – Accounting for Performance Evaluation
BAFI 500 – Basic Finance *
BASC 510 – Operating Supply Chains *
BAIT 511 – Managing Information Technology or BAIT 512 *
BASM 501 – Business Strategy
BASM 502 – Corporate Strategy
BAPA 500 – Managerial Economics

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

The applicant must also demonstrate completion of the CMABC practical experience requirements in order to complete the program. CMABC prefers that applicants already possess a minimum of two years of related management experience entering the program. A candidate may apply relevant experience gained up to three years prior to commencing the MBA. Alternatively, CMABC will consider progressive relevant experience gained during the MBA (including Internships), and/or in the two years immediately following the MBA. The designation will not be awarded without successful completion of two years of relevant work experience.

All Candidates must complete all UBC CMA/MBA Components within 3 years of graduation from the MBA program.

ACCELERATED PROGRAM

Candidates must complete most of the CMA Accelerated Program either in classroom or distance study formats. They do not need to complete the Corporate Finance or Strategic Management Components of the AP. Please note that the self-study option is not available for Combined CMA/MBA students.

Exception: as noted above, if any or all of BAFI 500, BASC 510, or BAIT 511 are missing, the candidate is required to take the entire AP program.

The Accelerated Program is described in detail on the CMA website.

EVALUATION COMPONENTS

Upon completion of the Accelerated Program, the candidate must register in the next Entrance Exam. This exam occurs either in October or June of each year. Each Entrance Exam is preceded by mandatory exam Simulation Series, which runs over two consecutive Saturdays and is offered at Langara College. This series involves two sittings of writing a sample Entrance Exam followed by marking and feedback.

Upon successful completion of the Entrance Exam, the candidate must complete both the Case Exam and the Board Report, in a sequence that depends on the timing that is most appropriate for each candidate (see typical schedule below). Both the Board Report and the Case Exam are preceded by mandatory preparatory sessions. More detailed information will be available closer to each of these events.

The Case Exam is a four hour exam offered in August and May of each year, and the Board Report is offered once a year. The Board Report is a team project involving the writing of a major report and presenting a summary to a panel. It starts in January and the written component is due in May, with the presentation following in June. The Entrance Exam, Case Exam and Board Report must all be passed, along with the work experience requirement, before the designation is awarded.

UBC CMA/MBA Combined Program Structure