CMA/MBA Combined Program
Pursue the CMA designation and earn a full-time MBA degree through the Alberta School of
Business at the University of Alberta or the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. The
CMA/MBA is a combined program designed for MBA students with a strong accounting background, or
those wishing to acquire a strong accounting background, and with work experience in that area who want to
pursue senior management, leadership and consulting roles. The MBA degree program covers the concepts
from the Strategic Leadership Program through its course material. The MBA is granted through the Alberta
School of Business or the Haskayne School of Business, while the CMA designation is granted through
CMA Alberta. To obtain the CMA designation through the CMA/MBA Combined Program, candidates
must complete the MBA program and pass the CMA evaluation points.
CMA/MBA Combined Program – University of
Alberta
There are two streams of the CMA/MBA Combined Program offered at the University of Alberta: the
accredited stream and the non-accredited stream.
U of A Accredited CMA/MBA Program
The Accredited CMA/MBA Combined Program has a strong accounting focus and is geared
towards candidates who have a non-accounting undergraduate degree. CMA Canada accredits programs at
leading institutions which provide complete coverage of the CMA® Competency Map Entrance Requirements,
equipping students with in-depth knowledge and skills in management accounting, financial accounting,
financial management and taxation, strategic management, and risk management and governance. These skills are
required for mastering the advanced concepts covered in CMA Canada’s Strategic Leadership Program, leading to
the prestigious CMA designation.
By taking the Accredited CMA/MBA Program, students with a non-accounting background will obtain the
16 CMA prerequisite requirements, thereby allowing them to bypass the CMA Entrance Exam, while also
covering the concepts from the Strategic Leadership Program course material. At the end of the program,
students will need to pass the CMA evaluation points to receive the CMA designation.
Cost
- Tuition costs for the U of A MBA program;
- $500 plus GST for the CMA Case Exam*;
- $1500 plus GST for the CMA Board Report*; and
- annual candidate membership dues: $460 plus GST.
*Please note that the cost includes all supporting documents, DVD, SLP website access and any other
applicable materials.
Prerequisites
Students must have an undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution and meet the
U of A's MBA admission requirements to enter into the program.
Practical experience requirement
In order to complete your CMA accreditation requirements , you must achieve a minimum of 24 months of
relevant, full-time or equivalent, progressive practical experience. As a CMA candidate, you won't have to
article. Instead, you'll have the opportunity to gain real-world experience in industry while you complete
your training.
This integration of on-the-job experience and education ensures you will be able to apply management
principles and operational knowledge in a practical environment, thereby honing your decision-making and
leadership capabilities. Candidates must be able to apply the acquired knowledge and skills from the CMA
Competency Map at an overall Career Stage 2 (CS-2) upon completing the Strategic Leadership Program.
You should be employed in a relevant position upon entering the Strategic Leadership Program; however, CMA
Alberta may use discretion to grant conditional acceptance for candidates who are not employed in a relevant
position upon entering the program. To see if your position qualifies as a relevant position, view the
practical experience report example. Practical experience is evaluated based on the functional and enabling
competencies outlined in the CMA Competency Map.
Program intake
The program intake begins in the fall and is offered in Edmonton through the Alberta School of Business. The
program will take two to three years to complete, depending on the program length determined by the
University of Alberta.
Evaluation
The evaluation points for the Accredited CMA/MBA Combined Program include the Case Exam and the Board Report,
both which occur at the end of the MBA program.
About the CMA Case Exam
The CMA Case Exam is a four-hour business case problem which tests candidates' skills in developing and
implementing a sound business plan for an organization. Candidates are evaluated on an individual basis and
must achieve a mark equal to or greater than a 60 per cent to pass.
About the CMA Board Report
The Board Report is a comprehensive, team-based written evaluation and presentation of a business situation
as outlined in a case representing different sectors of the economy. The written report is developed by
candidate teams and submitted for evaluation by CMA Canada. Each team also presents its analysis and
recommendations to a simulated board of directors comprised of CMA members and/or non-CMA public
business professionals from Alberta. Nationally developed evaluation guidelines are used to assess the Board
Report. Candidate teams must achieve a combined grade of 60 per cent to pass.
How to apply
For questions about the CMA portion of the program, please contact the CMA Alberta office. For questions about the U of A MBA
Program, contact the MBA admissions office at the University of Alberta.
U of A Non-Accredited CMA/MBA Program
Pursue the CMA designation and earn a full-time MBA degree through the Alberta School of Business
at the University of Alberta. The CMA/MBA is a combined program designed for MBA students with a strong
accounting background and with work experience in that area who wish to pursue senior management, leadership
and consulting roles. The MBA degree program covers the concepts from the Strategic Leadership Program
through its course material. The MBA is granted through the Alberta School of Business, while the
CMA designation is granted through CMA Alberta. To obtain the CMA designation through the
CMA/MBA Combined Program, candidates must complete the MBA program and pass the CMA evaluation
points.
The Non-Accredited CMA/MBA Program is geared towards students who have completed an undergraduate
degree with an accounting major, or who have a strong accounting background and have obtained the
CMA prerequisite courses and passed the CMA Entrance Exam. The Non-Accredited CMA/MBA Program
doesn't focus on accounting concepts as much as the Accredited CMA/MBA Program does.
Note: Students who graduated from the University of Alberta with an undergraduate
bachelor of commerce degree – accounting major – after February 2008 should enter into the Non-Accredited
CMA/MBA Program, as they have already completed the CMA prerequisite courses and are exempt from
writing the CMA Entrance Exam. Please see the accredited
programs page for more information about the accredited undergraduate degree.
Prerequisites
To be eligible for the Non-Accredited CMA/MBA Combined Program, candidates must:
- have a recognized degree from a post-secondary institution;
- meet the CMA prerequisite course requirements*;
- meet the U of A MBA admission requirements; and
- pass the CMA Entrance Exam.
*Those missing the CMA prerequisite courses have the option of completing all prerequisites
through the CMA Accelerated Program.
Program intake
The program intake begins in the fall and is offered in Alberta through the Alberta School of
Business. The program will take two to three years to complete, depending on which MBA program
candidates are enrolled in through the University of Alberta.
Evaluation
The evaluation points for the CMA/MBA Combined Program include the Case Exam and the Board Report,
both which occur at the end of the MBA program.
About the CMA Case Exam
The CMA Case Exam is a four-hour business case problem which tests candidates' skills in developing and
implementing a sound business plan for an organization. Candidates are evaluated on an individual basis and
must achieve a mark equal to or greater than a 60 per cent to pass.
About the CMA Board Report
The Board Report is a comprehensive, team-based written evaluation and presentation of a business situation
as outlined in a case representing different sectors of the economy. The written report is developed by
candidate teams and submitted for evaluation by CMA Canada. Each team also presents its analysis and
recommendations to a simulated board of directors comprised of CMA members and/or non-CMA public
business professionals from Alberta. Nationally developed evaluation guidelines are used to assess the Board
Report. Candidate teams must achieve a combined grade of 60 per cent to pass.
Cost
- Tuition costs for the U of A MBA program;
- $500 plus GST for the CMA Case Exam*;
- $1500 plus GST for the CMA Board Report*; and
- annual candidate membership dues: $460 plus GST.
*Please note that the cost includes all supporting documents, DVD, SLP website access and any other
applicable materials.
How to apply
For questions about the CMA portion of the program, please contact the CMA Alberta office. For questions about the U of A MBA
Program, contact the MBA admissions office at the University of Alberta.
U of C CMA/MBA Combined Program
The U of C CMA/MBA Program is geared towards students who have completed an undergraduate degree
with an accounting major, or who have a strong accounting background and have obtained the
CMA prerequisite courses and passed the CMA Entrance Exam.
Prerequisites
To be eligible for the CMA/MBA Combined Program, candidates must:
- have a recognized degree from a post-secondary institution;
- meet the CMA prerequisite course requirements*;
- meet the U of C MBA admission requirements; and
- pass the CMA Entrance Exam.
*Those missing the CMA prerequisite courses have the option of completing all prerequisites
through the CMA Accelerated Program.
Program intake
The program intake begins in the fall and is offered in Calgary through the Haskayne School of
Business. The program will take two to three years to complete, depending on which MBA program
candidates are enrolled in through the University of Calgary.
Evaluation
The evaluation points for the CMA/MBA Combined Program include the Case Exam and the Board Report,
both which occur at the end of the MBA program.
About the CMA Case Exam
The CMA Case Exam is a four-hour business case problem which tests candidates' skills in developing and
implementing a sound business plan for an organization. Candidates are evaluated on an individual basis and
must achieve a mark equal to or greater than a 60 per cent to pass.
About the CMA Board Report
The Board Report is a comprehensive, team-based written evaluation and presentation of a business situation
as outlined in a case representing different sectors of the economy. The written report is developed by
candidate teams and submitted for evaluation by CMA Canada. Each team also presents its analysis and
recommendations to a simulated board of directors comprised of CMA members and/or non-CMA public
business professionals from Alberta. Nationally developed evaluation guidelines are used to assess the Board
Report. Candidate teams must achieve a combined grade of 60 per cent to pass.
Cost
- Tuition costs for the U of C MBA program;
- $500 plus GST for the CMA Case Exam*;
- $1500 plus GST for the CMA Board Report*; and
- annual candidate membership dues: $460 plus GST.
*Please note that the cost includes all supporting documents, DVD, SLP website access and any other
applicable materials.
How to apply
For questions about the CMA portion of the program, please contact the CMA Alberta office. For questions about the U of C MBA
Program, contact the MBA admissions office at
the University of Calgary.
