Adapting to rapidly changing business environments calls for a sophisticated set of skills and abilities from leaders and managers. All organisations, including faith-based and not-for-profit, require effective leaders who understand the needs of their organisations.

The MBA recognises that changing environments and new challenges require innovative approaches informed by current philosophies and frameworks for action.While traditional ways of thinking and acting in leadership may have worked well in the past, now there is a need for leadership to project a vision, plan strategically and motivate more effectively. The quest for excellence and the demand for flexibility and rapid response to changing environments is essential for the success of organisations and companies.

Key Information

Study Mode:

Off campus, Mixed mode

Location:

Avondale Campus - Lake Macquarie

Duration:

Full-time: 1.5 years, Part-time: Equivalent years

Course Code:

2047

CRICOS Code:

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Course Details

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Master of Business Administration, graduates will be able to:

Demonstrate insights and perceptions of managerial conduct which integrate theoretical foundations with organisational needs, leadership and management practice in church organisations, professional trends, and factors affecting contemporary management thinking and practice.
Create a personal professional body of knowledge from a holistic perspective, focussing on attitudes, values and actions applied in a Christian managerial environment.
Display personal effectiveness and efficiency in leadership and management practice.
Explore and apply a systematic approach to the study of leadership and management in a church context and review management literature; develop a maturing recognition of the relevance and values of well reasoned literature, in the advancement of sound academic based practice.
Investigate and critically analyse the nature, the scientific, behavioural, administrative and quantitative foundations of leadership and management related topics, and apply relevant concepts to the practice of effective and efficient leadership and management in the workplace.
Apply and practice specific management activities through a critical analysis of professional practices, standards and current organisational and societal needs.
Assume a professional leadership and management role in either religious or secular organisations, including specialist management consultation.
Conduct in-depth creative problem-solving study involving systematic investigation and reflective thought addressing particular problems or issues in the workplace.

Admission Criteria

To qualify for admission, an applicant must have achieved:

an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher, or
an Avondale Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management; or
an Australian Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, or
an overseas qualification comparable to an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher.

In exceptional circumstances an applicant may be admitted based on qualifications deemed equivalent as assessed by the Course Convenor in consultation with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

In addition, applicants must have:

at least two years’ experience in a leadership or management role, and
provided a resume/CV outlining relevant experience.

International Students

This course is available online to international students residing outside Australia. Students must be able to obtain an appropriate visa to visit Australia for the compulsory on-campus intensive study period. The course is not available to international students residing in Australia. For information regarding visas refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder/study.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:

achieving an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no sub-band less than 6.0, or
one of the other ways outlined in Appendix 2 of the Admission Policy (HE), or
documentary evidence of a prior qualification (or at least two years of tertiary study) conducted and assessed in English in a recognised country^ and completed within the last two years.

^Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, or the United States of America.

Advanced Standing

Applicants who have completed prior study may be eligible for advanced standing (credit recognition). Applicants should discuss their eligibility for advanced standing with the Admissions Team or the Course Convenor.

Course Structure

The Master of Business Administration consists of 12 units and requires 72 credit points for completion. Every unit has a 6 credit-point value unless otherwise stated.

The MBA offers a choice of two study patterns:

Pattern 1 consists of core units, course work and an independent project.

Pattern 2 consists of core units, course work and a major research project.

Intensive on-campus study components are compulsory for year-long units. Units are offered on a rotational basis each year; therefore, students should contact the Course Convenor regarding specific unit availability.

Core Units:

The following units are required for both Patterns 1 & 2:

LAMC50600 The Theology, Theory and Practice of Leadership
LAMC50000 Introduction to Research

Discipline specific units:

Pattern 1 must complete 6 units from the list below.

Pattern 2 must complete 5 units from the list below:

LAMC51100 Leadership and Organisation
LAMC51200 Communication for Leaders
LAMC51600 Organisational Processes and Change
LAMC51400 Human Resource Management
LAMC52400 Managerial and Professional Ethics
LAMC52100 Marketing Management
LAMC52300 Strategic Planning for Leadership
LAMC52600 Accounting for Leaders
LAMC52800 Legal and Governance Issues for Managers

Research project units:

Pattern 1 must complete one of the two research projects below:

LAMR59200 Independent Research Project (6 credit points), or
LAMR59300 Extended Independent Research Project (12 credit points)

Pattern 2 must complete:

LAMR59400 Major Research Project (18 credit points project)

Electives:

Electives may be drawn from the Discipline Specific units listed above, or other disciplines (on approval from the Course Convenor).

To find out more about any of the units listed here, copy the unit code and then search for that unit here.

Career Opportunities

Master of Business Administration graduates will be equipped with advanced business management skills and leadership training that can be applied in real-world business situations. This course provides our graduates with the confidence to advance to senior and executive leadership roles.

MBA graduates develop skills for roles such as: