Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Enjoy convenience and flexibility as you advance your skills and expand your leadership potential in Chicagoland’s Best Value MBA degree program—offered on campus or in a hybrid format

Build the business skills that set leaders apart by earning your Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Dominican University. As one of Chicago’s leading business schools, we offer a challenging, values-based environment where you will engage with faculty to learn real-world skills that prepare you to thrive in a fulfilling career.

And, our scenic campus in River Forest is just minutes from downtown Chicago—putting you close to one of the fastest-growing business hubs in the nation and positioning you for networking opportunities that can help grow your career.

  • Advance your career with our innovative MBA programs 
  • Study part time, full time, on campus, or in a hybrid format
  • Bring yourself up to speed by reviewing our free foundation courses as you start the program. These mini-courses can be taken at your own pace, online and at no cost (or waived thanks to your previous academic experience)
  • Collaborate with faculty and peers in small classes with personalized, experiential learning
  • Gain hands-on experience by solving business challenges for real corporate clients in our MBA Gateway program
  • Graduate from a top MBA program with an unrivaled return on investment

Take the next step toward business leadership. Request information today

Flexibility Fit for Your Career Dreams

As a student in Dominican University’s Master of Business Administration program, you’ll find unparalleled flexibility so you can turn your bold ideas into boundless impact—without interrupting your busy schedule. You’ll be able to choose from two innovative pathways, allowing you the opportunity to transform your future through a format fit for your goals.

Traditional MBA Program 

Dominican’s traditional MBA program will set you up for success in the business world through its high-impact, streamlined curriculum designed to help you achieve your professional goals. Students following this MBA program will need to complete at least 30 credit hours to receive their degree.

MBA Plus Concentration

Our MBA Plus Concentration offers a personalized approach to your goals, allowing you to expand your knowledge beyond just the core requirements of our traditional MBA. Through this program, you’ll take three additional courses that will provide specialized training in accounting or healthcare management.

What You’ll Learn

In both our respected MBA programs—offered on campus and online—you’ll get a balance of the academic rigor and practical experience that set business leaders apart. You will gain a well-rounded perspective of multiple business topics, including strategy, leadership, and analytics. And, as part of our esteemed Brennan School of Business, you’ll collaborate closely with faculty who can help you develop a global perspective that can transform your career.

Students entering the program with little or no undergraduate background in business can master the fundamentals through six foundation courses in accounting, economics, finance, law, management and statistics—all at no cost. These self-paced online courses are prerequisites for more advanced core courses.

When following the traditional MBA route, students are encouraged, though not required, to choose courses from our MBA electives. Those interested in developing deeper knowledge in a particular discipline can earn a certificate by completing at least two electives. See our full MBA course listing

MBA Program (30 Credit Hours)

Dominican’s traditional MBA program prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities in the business world.

  • 10 courses
  • Finish in as little as 12 months—or take all the time you need
  • Year-round starts are available, with students able to begin their program in Fall, Spring, or Summer.
  • AACSB-accredited (a distinction earned by less than five percent of business schools worldwide)
  • Modular core curriculum designed around key business themes, including leadership and ethics
  • A simplified application process with optional GMAT and GRE
A Streamlined Curriculum

You will complete your degree fast in our streamlined 30-credit MBA curriculum. You’ll be immersed from day one in advanced-level coursework structured around key business themes in five modules:

  • Leadership and Ethics
  • Business Problem Solving, Negotiation and Strategy
  • Financial Decision Making
  • Markets and Consumers
  • Analytics and Operations
MBA Plus Concentration (39 Credit Hours)

Our MBA Plus Concentration offers students an unmatched foundation to launch their careers into specialized areas within the business industry. With three additional courses, students can pursue their interests in accounting, healthcare management or international business.

  • 13 courses
  • Ability to receive specialized training in accounting or healthcare management
  • Year-round starts are available, with students able to begin their program in fall, spring, or summer
  • AACSB-accredited (a distinction earned by less than five percent of business schools worldwide)
  • Modular core curriculum designed around key business themes, including leadership and ethics
  • A simplified application process with optional GMAT and GRE
MBA Certificates

Electives are not required as part of the traditional MBA program, though you have the option to earn a certificate, on top of your degree, in a particular discipline by taking at least two electives in the following market-trending areas:

  • Accounting
  • Data analytics
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Health care administration
  • International business administration
  • Marketing
MBA Practicum

One of your first courses at Dominican will be a Business Gateway Practicum in which you and your classmates will solve a real business problem for a real business client. You’ll also be introduced to techniques in negotiation. From this experience to your capstone course in applied strategic development, you will experience the hands-on, relevant learning style of Dominican’s MBA program.

Business Certificates (non-degree seeking students)

Whether you already have an MBA or not, if you’re seeking only to advance your skills in a particular discipline—fast—our individual graduate certificate programs are an outstanding option. With just two courses you can earn a Graduate Business Certificate in a high-demand discipline of your choosing. It’s a great way to fill in knowledge gaps and increase your earning potential. Those with little or no background in business can earn our Business Essentials Certificate by taking at least four of our online foundation courses.

MBA Pathways (current Dominican undergraduates)

Designed for students currently enrolled in any of Dominican University’s undergraduate programs, Dominican’s Fast-Track Graduate Pathways allow you to get credit for what you’ve learned and waive up to six graduate credits. Earn your MBA with just one additional year of study.

Related Degrees

Looking for an MBA path that’s even more customized to your career goals and your level of experience? At Dominican we offer a wide range of options to meet your needs.

What to Expect as You Earn Your MBA

Your network of successful business leaders will grow exponentially in our MBA program—starting in Brennan’s classrooms, with our faculty and your fellow students. Our classes are small and our students bring varied background perspectives, resulting in a rich, immersive learning experience whether online or on our campus.

And, as a Brennan MBA graduate, you’ll become a member of our large community of alumni already working in top corporations, agencies and organizations in Chicago and beyond. We have graduates who currently work at Allstate Insurance, Discover, Groupon, Kraft Heinz Company, McDonald’s Corporation, Northwestern Mutual and many more top companies.

A Top-Ranked Education from the Brennan School of Business

The Brennan School of Business is AACSB-accredited, a distinction earned by less than five percent of business schools worldwide. AACSB schools are evaluated on a number of factors, including intellectual contributions and impact, student progression and career development and teaching effectiveness. Accreditation is a mark of a strong return on your investment with higher-caliber academics. See what sets us apart

Graduate Study Abroad Programs

Experience global business firsthand as part of our short-term global immersion opportunities. Dominican MBA students have traveled to places like China, Chile, South Africa and France to enhance their MBA experience. Explore global immersion

Alumni Networking and Career Support Resources

Draw on career resources both as an active MBA student and long after graduation. We offer everything from one-on-one career mentoring and advising through our Executives in Residence program to an e-recruiting platform that can help you find your next career opportunity. Learn more

Financing Your MBA Degree

Along with opportunities for financial aid through loans and grants, the Brennan School of Business offers a variety of scholarships for outstanding academic achievement and graduate assistantships for those who wish to work with faculty while pursuing their degree. Contact our Office of Financial Aid to learn more.

We can be reached at (708) 524-6809 or by email at finaid@dom.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is an MBA worth it?

The decision to pursue an on-campus or online MBA program can be pivotal for your career. In addition to typically offering a high return on your investment thanks to the hard business skills and soft leadership skills they help develop, an MBA degree can provide you with a large network of faculty and alumni. These individuals can be transformative for your career trajectory—mentoring you and helping you not only as you advance beyond your current position but also years from now as your career continues to evolve.

How much do MBAs make?

Pinning down exactly how much an MBA makes can be difficult—mainly because they can be found in a variety of positions. From HR managers to accountants to marketing managers, the skills gained in an MBA degree program can lead people down many paths.

If you’re asking yourself, “Should I get an MBA?” take some time to evaluate and research the exact types of roles you’re looking to advance into. You’re likely to find that individuals with MBAs in those positions earn well above others who hold a bachelor’s degree—and the amount earned over a lifetime can amount to significant earnings.

What are the application and MBA requirements?

In order to apply, you will need the following materials:

  • A bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution
  • Two recommendations (from an employer, professor or professional colleague)
  • Personal statement and résumé

No prior business courses are required. Students may enter the MBA program in August, January, May or July and should apply at least one month prior to the beginning of the semester (two months for international students).

Ready to take the next step? Apply now online

Can I transfer credits?

You may transfer up to six relevant graduate-level credit hours toward your Dominican MBA. All transfer credits are subject to approval and must be submitted on an official transcript showing a grade of B or higher. To see if your credits transfer, contact the Office of the Registrar.

Do Business Better with an MBA from Dominican University

Request information today