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Learn to lead from industry veterans

The constantly evolving business world requires successful leaders to possess an ever-increasing range of knowledge and skills. Alvernia University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, offered by the Header School of Business, provides a strong, ethical foundation for motivated students, helping them to become transformational leaders at for-profit businesses, nonprofits or governmental agencies.


Developed with the input of regional executives and faculty members with academic and practical business experience, Alvernia’s program focuses on two concentrations: business management and healthcare. Students learn how to think strategically while delving into vital topics such as international business, supply chain management, business analytics and forecasting, artificial intelligence, ESG investing and cybersecurity.


Flexible scheduling allows adult students to incorporate learning into their busy lives and proceed at the pace of their choosing, with smaller class sizes enabling one-on-one attention. The learning experience expands far beyond textbooks, strengthened by a state-of-the-art business lab featuring the Bloomberg Terminal, and the O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, which offers resources to students and businesses to assist with economic development.
 

Estimated Program Length 1 year
Credit Hours 33-42
Course Length 7 weeks
Transfer Credits Accepted Up to 6
Cost per Credit $900*


*Tuition discount available. Ask for details!

Graduate Programs

Getting Started

Where You Can Get A Degree

The Master of Business Administration program is available at the following Alvernia University locations:

Application Instructions

Below is a list of application requirements. Along with your completed application accompanied by $50 non-refundable
application fee, you’ll need to provide a few supporting materials:

  • Complete your online application
  • Order official transcript(s)
  • Provide two letters of recommendation
  • Provide a Personal Statement
  • Upload Professional Resume
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher recommended
Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our financial aid page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

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Business lab
Why Alvernia?
• A nationally ranked comprehensive regional university, Alvernia offers doctoral, master's, and post-baccalaureate programs to advance your career or prepare you for a new one.
• Flexible scheduling with evening classes and in-person, hybrid and online formats meets the needs of the busy adult learner.
• Programs are offered at a growing number of convenient locations in Reading, Pottsville, and Philadelphia.
• Alvernia is the ideal choice for graduate students because of a growing number of affiliation agreements with other local institutions and industry partners and dedicated advisors to help through every step of the educational journey.


Program Overview

Curriculum

The Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree curriculum is 33 credits for those with a business degree. Students who are not business majors may be required to take up to 9 additional credits depending on your academic background. The program offers six accelerated seven-week terms a year. Students can work at their own pace, with the opportunity to finish within one year. Classes will be offered in hybrid or online options. Hybrid courses meet one night a week.


The MBA program was crafted by — and is taught by — veterans of the industry, including Donald Schalk, the program's director. Schalk has over 40 years of management experience, serving as CEO of four organizations, and works with startup firms and those in the early revenue stage at the O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship.


Required Interdisciplinary Course (3 credits):

  • COR 520: Ethics and Moral Leadership
     

Required Business Courses (21-33 credits):

  • MBA 510: Advanced Managerial Accounting
  • MBA 520: Innovative Marketing Strategy
  • MBA 600: Business Analytics and Forecasting
  • MBA 610: Legal and Ethical Environment of Business
  • MBA 620: Economic Analysis and Evaluation
  • MBA 630: Financial Analysis and Evaluation (Prerequisite: MBA 620)
  • MBA 655: International Business and Supply Chain Management
  • MBA 675: Strategic Formulation and Implementation
     

Select One Elective (3 credits):

  • MBA 518: Managerial Communications
  • MBA 560: Strategic Human Resource Management
  • MBA 575: Investment and Portfolio Management
  • MBA 590: Special Topics
  • MBA 650: Entrepreneurship and Economic Development
  • MBA 665/PGST 510: Applications of Project Management
  • MBA 678: Fundamentals of Sales Management


Required Capstone Course (3 credits):

  • MBA 680: Executive Leadership Seminar ~ taken in the final 12 credits


Required Courses for Non-Business Majors (9 credits)

  • MBA 502: Accounting for the Workplace*
  • MBA 504: Management and Marketing*
  • MBA 506: Economics and Finance

*May be waived by MBA Admissions Committee based on graduate program policies.

Experiential Learning Opportunities
  • In the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne, our business lab and the Bloomberg Terminal provide financial real time, historical data, market moving news and analytics.
  • The O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship offers resources to students and businesses to assist with economic development. Students interested in starting a business or securing a patent have access to the O'Pake Institute business incubator. 
  • Customized skills are put into practice with a final project in the capstone course Executive Leadership Seminar.
Accreditation Statements
Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the range of jobs available with an MBA is projected to grow up to 36 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in those professions in 2021 ranged from $80,000 to $179,000.

  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Sales Management
  • Operations/Supply Chain Management
  • Human Resources
  • Government
  • Nonprofits
Learn More

For more information about Alvernia’s MBA program, contact the Admissions Office (1-888-ALVERNIA or 610-796-8269) or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to:


Donald Schalk
Director of MBA Program
donald.schalk@alvernia.edu
484-254-2127


Grad and Adult Admissions:
610.796.5187
gradandadult@alvernia.edu

Terrence Watts
MBA adult learner finds his own flow
Terrence Watts '22 MBA '23, an Accelerated Adult learner at Alvernia's Philadelphia Campus, wants to change the culture of the workforce.


Get To Know Your Faculty (Alphabetical)