MBA – Leadership Emphasis
Leadership-oriented MBA programs are ideal for adults who aspire toward senior management positions, such as CEO or COO, or want to be successful business owners or ministry leaders. CCU's online MBA degree program's leadership principles and skills apply to students in both for-profit and nonprofit fields, as well as the military, law enforcement, and virtually any organizational setting. This is one of the top MBA programs in Colorado and around the U.S.
CCU's MBA leadership courses attract skilled professionals from diverse industries, giving you the opportunity to learn from your peers, as well as your professors. You'll have in common the desire to become more effective leaders who are grounded in Christian ethics.
Program Focus
Leadership theory and ethical practice; financial responsibility and control; markets and promotional strategy; problem solving and decision making; human resource management; international business; and research skills
Many of CCU's MBA graduates have found that an MBA degree with a leadership emphasis can open the door to:
- Greater job responsibility and opportunities
- Career advancement, and/or
- New opportunities to give back
- 39 total credit hours
- Program Format: 100% online
- Prerequisite(s) or applicable transfer credit required
- MBA courses are taken one at a time and are typically completed in five-week and seven-week blocks
- Designed for busy adult learners; complete in as little as 18 months of consecutive coursework, even with a full-time or part-time job
- Students can transfer up to nine graduate-level credit hours
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- Program Brochure
MBA Courses
CCU's MBA curriculum includes 13 online courses designed to develop effective, ethical leaders. Each course is typically taken over a five-week time period. Weekly assignments are required, but the course design generally allows participants to complete coursework at the times and places that work best for them (prior to scheduled deadlines).
CCU students utilize Brightspace, a leading solution in electronic education, to participate in MBA classes that blend the latest in eLearning technology with the latest business theory and practice. Students in this master's in business program attend classes electronically, do research using the Internet, exchange email, and participate in online discussions. Assignments and tests are submitted online for in-seat students as well as those taking their program online.
Leadership MBA Courses
CCU's MBA in leadership courses integrate academics with moral principles from Scripture, so you can grow as a servant leader, strengthen your ethical framework, enhance and build valuable career skills, and responsibly influence your profession.
The leadership MBA courses at CCU include:
- Leadership and Management I. This course helps learners understand the theories and realities of the managerial functions and processes in organizations. The course also explores organizational leadership/"followership" issues with special emphasis on the Biblical principles related to organizational leadership.
- Problem-Solving and Decision-Making for Leaders. This course provides students with rational analytical tools to facilitate handling of both routine and non-routine management functions. These tools are systematic techniques or processes designed to improve a manager's ability to gather, organize, and evaluate information in the areas of problem-solving, decision-making, and plan implementation.
- Values Aligned Leadership. This course provides an overview of the classic historical and philosophical views of leadership and ethical theories within a framework for evaluating organizational leaders' decisions and actions. Case studies are integrated with a theoretical model for values-aligned leadership and provide relevant examples for effective ethical leadership practices within a Christian worldview.
- Leading in Intercultural Business Environments. This course provides an overview of leading and conducting business in a variety of international business cultures including the impact of geography and cultural distance; how these differences impact markets, products, finance, and human resource management; why people around the world engage in different business practices; and the effect of the advancement of technology on international business.
- MBA Capstone Course. The Capstone course has been designed to assist MBA students in assimilating and synthesizing all of the material covered over the course of their program at CCU. The final project in this course will be completion of the proposal that was created in Business Research.
Admission to the MBA Program
Admission to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Colorado Christian University is selective. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of previous academic performance, personal and professional accomplishments and goals, and strength of character. A strong desire to complete graduate-level work in a Christ-centered, biblically based community is important.
Application Deadlines
You can enter the MBA program at multiple points in the academic year. You should complete the admission process as early as possible so you will have adequate time to work with an advisor and qualify for financial aid.
Prerequisite Coursework
All applicants to CCU's MBA program are required to have fulfilled prerequisite courses for Accounting, Finance, and Statistics. Specific emphases may have additional prerequisites.
Review the MBA Prerequisites prior to application submission.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the graduate admission application online (including essay and transcripts).
- Provide a professional resume and employment record. It is expected that MBA candidates will have at least 5 years of professional work experience or the equivalent.
- Submit an official transcript that reflects a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited higher education institution. For those seeking an emphasis in advanced accounting, a bachelor's degree in accounting is required.
- Have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average between 2.0 and 2.49 will be admitted on a conditional admit (CAD) basis for the first semester. CAD students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in their first nine (9) credits to remain in the program.
- Complete any needed prerequisite courses. Review the MBA prerequisites prior to application submission.
- The Office of Admission reserves the right to request additional information as deemed necessary to make a selection decision.
- As part of the admissions process, applicants may be selected to participate in a video interview conducted via Zoom. This interview is designed to confirm applicant identity and support the integrity of the university’s enrollment process. Participation in the video interview, if requested, is a required step for admission and must be completed prior to enrollment.
Transfer of Courses
Students may transfer up to nine semester hours of graduate credit from an accredited college or university. The coursework must be comparable to that offered at CCU and fulfill the CCU MBA degree requirements.
International Applicants
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you are considered an international student. Learn more about whether or not you'll be required to submit TOEFL scores, and find additional information on our International Students page.
To submit application-related materials that were not already submitted through the online application, email them to AdmissionsSupport@securemail.ccu.edu or mail to:
Colorado Christian University
Attn: Registration Services/Transcripts
8787 W. Alameda Ave.
Lakewood, CO 80226
Who should get an MBA with a Leadership emphasis?
MBA degree students who select the leadership emphasis is designed for individuals who aspire toward senior management positions, such as CEO or COO, or want to be successful business owners or ministry leaders.
If you're interested in career development for business and leadership, fill out the form on the page today! Our enrollment counselors can answer your questions about CCU's MBA and Leadership graduate degrees.
Leadership Emphasis Program FAQs
If you have additional questions, please complete the form on this page to connect with a CCU Enrollment Counselor.
What career advancement opportunities does this program offer?
The MBA in Leadership opens doors to senior managerial positions, such as CEO, COO, and executive leadership roles, across diverse industries, including business, nonprofit, military, and ministry organizations. Your enhanced qualifications position you for competitive career opportunities where strong earning potential and strategic management abilities are essential. The advanced training in leadership theory, business strategy, and human resource management creates pathways to executive-level consulting roles that require both a master of business administration and ethical leadership capabilities.
You'll be prepared for leadership roles that combine MBA degree credentials with specialized business leadership expertise, offering excellent career advancement potential across multiple sectors. Organizations actively seek effective leaders with graduate degree qualifications, particularly in operations management, marketing management, financial management roles, project management leadership, and servant leadership positions in nonprofit and ministry organizations, where your own business ventures can benefit from comprehensive business administration knowledge.
How does Christian leadership training enhance business effectiveness?
CCU's MBA in Leadership uniquely integrates biblical principles with modern business strategy, preparing you to become an ethical servant leader who drives organizational change while maintaining your values. The leadership MBA program emphasizes values-based decision-making through core courses that examine how Christian ethics enhance team collaboration, organizational behavior, and a positive company culture, while applying servant leadership principles that naturally align with effective leadership frameworks and business practices.
The MBA program's integration of faith and business administration equips you to serve as a transformational leader who combines technical skills with moral clarity, creating competitive advantages through authentic relationships built on biblical principles and business ethics. This approach enhances critical thinking abilities grounded in Christian worldview perspectives, develops ethical decision-making frameworks that foster trust and organizational development, and emphasizes leadership development that prioritizes servant leadership over traditional hierarchical models in today's values-driven marketplace.
How long does completing this program take?
CCU's online MBA in Leadership totals 39 credit hours and can be completed in as little as 18 months, allowing you to maintain your current director-level responsibilities while advancing your career through this accelerated degree program. The Master of Business Administration utilizes an innovative format where you take one course at a time, in five-week and seven-week blocks, allowing you to focus intensively on each leadership development concept while managing professional and family commitments effectively through the MBA online program structure.
This sequential approach prevents academic overload and ensures mastery of leadership theory, business strategy, and human resource management without overwhelming your schedule. You can transfer up to nine graduate course credit hours from previous graduate studies, potentially reducing your completion time while maintaining the program's comprehensive coverage of business administration fundamentals and advanced business leadership principles that working professionals need for career advancement in their leadership roles.
How does online learning accommodate working professionals?
CCU's 100% online MBA provides the flexibility essential for balancing your director-level responsibilities with family commitments and graduate studies. The MBA program utilizes Brightspace technology to deliver interactive coursework that accommodates your schedule, enabling you to engage with business leadership concepts and complete assignments at your convenience, rather than adhering to rigid class times that conflict with business decisions or family obligations.
Weekly assignments are structured to accommodate business professionals, with a course design that allows you to complete coursework at times and places that work best for your lifestyle before scheduled deadlines. The leadership MBA format supports demanding professional schedules through:
- Interactive discussions and group projects.
- Quality education delivery that maintains academic rigor while providing maximum scheduling flexibility.
- Comprehensive learning experiences designed specifically for working professionals seeking career advancement.
What hands-on leadership experience is included?
The leadership MBA emphasizes practical application through leadership development courses designed to bridge leadership theory with real-world business challenges you face daily. Leadership and Management courses offer hands-on experience in organizational development, team building, and strategic management that you can apply immediately to your current responsibilities. Meanwhile, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making provide systematic techniques for handling complex business operations through the development of critical thinking.
Values Aligned Leadership combines ethical frameworks with experiential learning through case studies and strategic projects that mirror the business decisions you'll encounter in executive leadership roles. The curriculum includes international business components, organizational change management training, and a capstone course that synthesizes your learning through practical applications in project management and leading change initiatives, ensuring you graduate with immediately applicable skills in business strategy, organizational management, and transformational leadership that effective leaders need across diverse business environments.
Which industries value MBA in Leadership graduates most?
Business leadership expertise drives strategic decision-making across virtually every industry, but technology, healthcare, financial services, and nonprofit organizations show the highest demand for MBA graduates with leadership specialization, according to this GMAC Corporate Recruiting Report.
Technology companies rely on leadership-trained executives for digital transformation initiatives and organizational behavior management. At the same time, healthcare organizations seek leaders who can navigate complex regulatory environments through human resource management skills and business practices.
The MBA in leadership prepares graduates for high-impact positions across these key sectors:
- Technology companies require leadership capabilities in digital transformation and innovation.
- Healthcare organizations require leaders who are skilled in navigating complex regulatory environments and managing patient care.
- Financial services firms seeking strategic management and ethical decision-making expertise.
- Nonprofit organizations valuing servant leadership and mission-driven organizational management.
- Government agencies require business administration knowledge, combined with a commitment to public service ethics.
- Educational institutions seek leaders who can bridge academic excellence with effective business practices.
Is this program properly accredited and credible?
CCU's MBA in Leadership maintains accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and meets accreditation council standards, ensuring this MBA degree meets rigorous academic standards recognized by employers nationwide and business schools globally. The university's commitment to quality education, combined with comprehensive coverage of leadership theory, organizational behavior, and business administration fundamentals, creates a credential respected in both traditional corporate environments and innovative business sectors where leadership MBA program graduates are valued.
The leadership program curriculum aligns with admission requirements that meet industry standards while incorporating biblical principles that distinguish CCU's approach to business education and leadership development. Students with a bachelor's degree or undergraduate degree can advance their skills through this specifically designed program, which addresses key concepts in business strategy, legal environment considerations, and essential disciplines for effective leadership. CCU's established reputation in MBA programs, coupled with experienced faculty and industry-relevant coursework focused on communication skills, organizational change, and broad foundation business principles, provides the credibility needed for advancement into executive positions where master's degree qualifications and ethical leadership capabilities are essential for business success.
State Exclusions for Online Students
Colorado Christian University is required by the U.S. Department of Education to be in compliance with state laws regarding where we can offer distance and/or online education. The College of Adult and Graduate Studies at Colorado Christian University offers courses to online students in all states with some exceptions for specific academic programs.
