This degree is no longer offered. You may be interested in other courses in Accounting
Master of Business Administration (with specialisations)
PostgraduateCSU-MBA-MAS2025
The MBA that uses examples from your workplace
Get a prestige qualification grounded in practicality. You’ll use actual challenges from your workplace, such as COVID-19, to gain your qualification. Choose to specialise in accounting, strategy, HR, leading people, marketing or transformation.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- Approx. 1.5 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 12
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Business Administration (with specialisations)
About this degree
Develop applied knowledge
Our Master of Business Administration (MBA) is grounded in the real world. Practical assessments and projects align with the business needs of industry today – including your workplace. Past examples include the development of a COVID-19 risk management plan for an aged care facility and a change and project management plan for the integration of new technology into a large scare not-for-profit.
Build your professional network
Throughout the course, you’ll engage with your fellow students to share your knowledge, create professional contacts and collaborate on projects – and develop one of the most essential skills for leaders in the 21st century: collaborating across sectors.
Work with industry experts
You’ll join a community of researchers, academics and students making things happen across the business world and in communities. For example, you’ll learn about Charles Sturt research in workplace wellbeing; human resource management; consumer behaviour in the service sector and NFP environments; the integration of technology into supply chains, as well as water and commodity pricing – and a range of other initiatives.
Choose from one of six specialisations: Accounting and Finance, Data and Strategic Planning, Human Resource Management, Leading People, Marketing, or Organisational Transformation.
The Master of Business Administration from Charles Sturt University is the perfect combination of theoretical knowledge and applied problem-solving. You’ll use examples from your workplace to bring your learning to life – and deliver immediate value to your organisation and career.
Recommended study pattern
The twelve subject (96 point) MBA consists of seven core subjects, a capstone unit and an opportunity to complete a specialisation or electives. The course structure provides students with the ability to tailor their degree to suit their needs and career aspirations.
Core Subjects: Students need to complete all seven (7) Core subjects listed below plus one Capstone subject.
MGT501 Contemporary Management
MGT510 Strategy and Planning
ACG515 Accounting for Strategic Decision-Making
MKT501 Marketing for Managers
ECO511 Economics for Business
MGT536 The Leadership Experience
MGT540 Facilitating Change
Plus one Capstone subject from:
MGT598 Strategic Business Research
MGT547 Ethics of Corporate Governance
Completion of any four of the core subjects allows students to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (32 points).
Completion of the seven core subjects and one capstone subject allows students to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Business Administration (64 points).
Specialisations / Restricted Electives:
Students may choose to complete one of the designated Specialisations or select a combination of subjects totalling 32 credit points in value from the Restricted Electives and / or Specialisations within the MBA program.
Students who complete one of the designated Specialisations will graduate with the Specialisation name on their testamur.
Specialisations
Accounting & Finance
Four subjects from:
ACG512 Data Analysis for Financial Decision-Making
ACG513 Contemporary Cost Accounting for Management Decision-Making
FIN516 Corporate Finance
FIN530 Financial Markets and Instrument
JST546 Fraud and Financial Crime
LAW504 Business and Corporations Law
Data & Strategic Planning
Four subjects from:
MGM513 Business Data Analytics and Storytelling
INF461 Introduction to Data Mgmt, Governance, Standards & Ethics
ITC575 Foundations of Big Data Analytics
MGT553 Project Management OR ITC505 ICT Project Management
MGT580 Forecasting and Risk Assessment
MKT563 Big Data and Marketing Analytics
Human Resource Management (AHRI accredited)
Four subjects from:
HRM502 Human Resource Management*
HRM528 Strategic Human Resource Management*
HRM550 Evaluating Human Resources*
HRM552 Organisational Behaviour
HRM560 HR Development
LAW515 Law of Employment*
*Required for AHRI accreditation
Leading People
Complete 32 points from:
MGM501 Theory to Practice of Leadership (8 pts)
MGT549 Toxic Leadership (8 pts)
HRM552 Organisational Behaviour (8 pts)
HRM531 Organisational Politics (8 pts)
MGM509 Implementing Change (8 pts)
HRM545 Skills of Conflict Resolution (8 pts)
Students may wish to select the equivalent of 8 points from the following micro subjects:
MGM502 Leading Change (2 pts)
MGM503 Motivating and Influencing People (2 pts)
MGM506 Strategic People Management (2 pts)
MGM511 Transformational Leadership (2 pts)
PSY549 Building Personal Resilience (2 pts)
Marketing
Complete 32 points from:
MKT563 Big Data and Marketing Analytics (8 pts)
MKT525 Digital and Social Media Marketing (8 pts)
MKT510 How and Why: Consumers and their Behaviour (8 pts)
MKT587 A Deeper Dive into Marketing Practice (8 pts)
MKT586 Agile Thinking for Marketers in a Disrupted World (8 pts)
Students may wish to select the equivalent of 8 points from the following micro subjects:
CCI503 Social Media Strategy (2 pts)
CCI550 Media Production for Community Engagement (2 pts)
CCI551 Networking and Building Partnerships (2 pts)
CCI552 Developing Media Relationships (2 pts)
CCI553 External Communication Strategies (2 pts)
CCI554 Strategic Event Management (2 pts)
Organisational Transformation
Complete 32 points from:
MGM509 Implementing Change (8 pts)
MGM512 Transforming Services and Operations (8 pts)
MGT584 Leadership in Teams (8 pts)
MGT553 Project Management OR ITC505 ICT Project Management (8 pts)
MGT583 Managing for Sustainability (8 pts)
Students may wish to select the equivalent of 8 points from the following micro subjects:
CCI507 Data Driven Storytelling (2 pts)
CCI553 External Communication Strategies (2 pts)
MGM502 Leading Change (2 pts)
MGM504 Designing, Implementing and Evaluating Projects (4 pts)
MGM506 Strategic People Management (2 pts)
MGM511 Transformational Leadership (2 pts)
Research Stream (not a specialisation)
Students who are interested in pursuing Doctoral-level studies on completion of their MBA are recommended to select the following subjects as restricted electives/electives:
MGT598 Strategic Business Research (from the Capstone)
MGM513 Business Data Analytics and Storytelling
EMG506 Literature Review (16 points, delivered over 2 sessions)
Restricted Electives:
The remaining 32 points can be selected from the subjects contained within the Specialisations above or from the list below. All subjects are 8 credit points unless otherwise specified.
ACG508 Accounting Standards, Application and Disclosures
ACG509 Global Perspectives of Accounting
ACG510 Ethical Auditing and Assurance
ACG511 Interpreting and Communicating Accounting
ACG512 Data Analysis for Financial Decision-making
ACG514 Ethics, Governance and Developments in Accounting Thought
AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation & Adaptation
COM538 Communication in Organisations (16)
COM539 Issues, Crisis and Reputation (16)
COM540 Corporate Culture, Stakeholder and Change Communication (16)
EEL500 Mentoring, Leadership and Change
EMG506 Literature Review (16)
EMT503 Leadership in Learning and Teaching with ICT
ENM422 Environmental Assessment & Auditing
ENM443 Resilience Thinking & Ecologically Sustainable Development
ESA501 Mapping the Field of Educational Leadership
ESA502 Educational Leadership in Contemporary Organisations
ESA503 Leading Educational Change
ESA504 Education Policy Analysis
ESA513 Leading Learning
FIN531 Investment Analysis
FIN563 Estate Planning
FIN564 Superannuation and Retirement Planning
HRM512 Values and Conflict in Organisations
HRM514 Cross Cultural and International HRM
HRM534 Contemporary Issues in HRM
HRM540 Theory of Conflict Resolution
HRM563 Developing Workforce Capabilities
INF463 Introduction to Data Tools and Analytics
INR501 Industrial Relations in Context
INR502 Contemporary Relations in Industrial Relations
INR503 Industrial Relations in Practice
INR517 Legal Frameworks of Employment Relations
ITC540 Telecommunications Management PG
ITC560 Internet of Things
ITC561 Cloud Computing
ITC563 IT Management Issues
ITC568 Cloud Security and Privacy
ITC578 Dark Web
ITC593 Network Security and Cryptography
ITC595 Information Security
ITC596 IT Risk Management
ITE518 Agile Project Management
JST412 Financial Crime Control and Risk Management
JST462 Corporate Governance
JST542 Criminology of Financial Crime
LAW516 Dispute Resolution: Methods and Results
LAW517 Mediation: Processes and Uses
LAW519 Negotiation Skills
LAW533 Taxation Principles and Application
LAW540 Australian Law and Legal System
LAW545 Taxation Strategies
MGI511 Project Management Fundamentals
MGI512 The Project Lifecycle
MGI530 Foundations of Business Analysis
MGI531 Project Recovery
MGT552 Leadership and Social Impact
MGT559 Contemporary Issues in Leadership
MGT568 Difference and Leadership
MGT569 The Leadership Challenge
MGT579 Power and Leadership
PHL401 Critical Reasoning
PKM562 Environmental Policy
PSC420 Water Policy and Management
CSU STUDY CENTRES IN SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE
ON CAMPUS
International students enrolled in the Master of Business Administration as full time on campus students in Australia, undertake their program at one of the Charles Sturt Study Centre locations in Sydney or Melbourne. Students follow the same course structure as listed above. Students should note that the capstone unit MGT547 Ethics of Corporate Governance may not be offered every year. Specialisations offered at Study Centre are limited to the following options:
Accounting & Finance
Four subjects from:
ACG512 Data Analysis for Financial Decision-Making
ACG513 Contemporary Cost Accounting for Management Decision-Making
FIN516 Corporate Finance
FIN530 Financial Markets and Instrument
LAW504 Business and Corporations Law
Data & Strategic Planning
Four subjects from:
MGM513 Business Data Analytics and Storytelling
ITC575 Foundations of Big Data Analytics
MGT553 Project Management or ITC505 ICT Project Management
MGT580 Forecasting and Risk Assessment
MKT563 Big Data and Marketing Analytics
Human Resource Management
Four subjects from:
HRM502 Human Resource Management
HRM528 Strategic Human Resource Management
HRM550 Evaluating Human Resources
HRM552 Organisational Behaviour
HRM560 HR Development
Marketing
Four subjects from:
MKT563 Big Data and Marketing Analytics
MKT525 Digital and Social Media Marketing
MKT510 How and Why: Consumers and their Behaviour
MKT587 A Deeper Dive into Marketing Practice
MKT586 Agile Thinking for Marketers in a Disrupted World
Organisational Transformation
MGM512 Transforming Services and Operations
MGT584 Leadership in Teams
MGT553 Project Management OR ITC505 ICT Project Management
MGT583 Managing for Sustainability
Note - Not all subjects will be available every year. Study Centre students may be eligible to complete other specialisations or other restricted elective subjects listed in the twelve subject MBA via a combination of on-campus and online study.
Restricted Electives:
The remaining four subjects can be selected from the subjects contained within the Specialisations above or from the list below. All subjects are 8 credit points unless otherwise specified.
ACG508 Accounting Standards, Application and Disclosures
ACG509 Global Perspectives of Accounting
ACG510 Ethical Auditing and Assurance
ACG511 Interpreting and Communicating Accounting
ACG512 Data Analysis for Financial Decision-making
ACG514 Ethics, Governance and Developments in Accounting Thought
HRM514 Cross Cultural and International HRM
ITC540 Telecommunications Management PG
ITC560 Internet of Things
ITC561 Cloud Computing
ITC563 IT Management Issues
ITC563 Cloud Security and Privacy
ITC566 Database Systems
ITC578 Dark Web
ITC593 Network Security and Cryptography
ITC595 Information Security
ITC596 IT Risk Management
LAW533 Taxation Principles and Application
MGM507 Project and Stakeholder Communication
MGM508 Agile Project Management and Recovery
Award requirements
As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.
Master of Business Administration (with specialisations)
To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 96 points.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$32,400
Indicative total fee $48,600
The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.
Learn more about CSU.
Explore CSU courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 34
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 37
Entry requirements
Applicants are required to have:
- An undergraduate degree from a recognised Australian tertiary institution (or equivalent) in a business discipline
OR
- An undergraduate degree from a recognised Australian tertiary institution (or equivalent) in ANY discipline and relevant work experience in a role that requires some supervisory and/or discretionary decision making responsibility.
Applicants without a bachelor degree qualification may be admitted to either the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration or (for international students requiring an Australian student visa) the Graduate Diploma of Business Administration on the basis of a combination of:
- Prior post secondary study and/or professional attainment
AND
- Significant relevant work experience
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate/Diploma, students will then be eligible for admission to the Master Business Administration and receive credit for applicable subjects.
If you’ve studied before, you may be able to fast-track your postgraduate degree with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study, you could be awarded credit for your postgraduate degree. Get in touch to see if you’re eligible for credit based on your previous qualifications or industry experience.
Master of Business Administration (with specialisations)
Credit into the Master of Business Administration is awarded based on studies completed at postgraduate or equivalent level. Students may receive credit for up to 50% of the course (six 8 point subjects) for studies completed within the last ten years.
No credit will be given for subjects completed at the undergraduate level. However, in some circumstances, candidates may be waived from taking particular subjects, e.g. a candidate with a Bachelor degree majoring in Accounting may be waived from undertaking the Core subject ACG515 Accounting for Strategic Decision Making. In such instances, an alternative subject will be substituted.
Standard Charles Sturt University Credit Policy applies: https://policy.csu.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=120
Career opportunities
When you complete your MBA, you’ll step into a world of career possibilities. It provides the perfect platform to launch your bid for a more senior role, either at your current workplace or elsewhere – and gives you the transferable knowledge and skills to change into a different industry altogether. Whether you are looking to move up in finance and make investment decisions, become an HRM strategist to meet business needs, or perhaps secure a business analyst role to drive innovation through insights – with your MBA you’ll be ready for whatever you choose to do next.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Executives and Managing Directors | N/A^ | Up 10.8% |
| Corporate General Managers | N/A^ | N/A^ |
| General Managers | N/A^ | Up 59.7% |
| Management Consultants | N/A^ | N/A^ |