Not ready for a full MBA — or not sure yet? GCU's Graduate Certificate in Business Administration lets you build graduate-level business knowledge in 18 focused credits. Every credit applies directly toward the MBA if you decide to continue. No risk. No wasted work.
Placeholder Image
Not everyone is ready to commit to a 36-credit MBA — and they shouldn't have to. GCU's Graduate Certificate in Business Administration is the smart way to begin. Take six courses in the areas most relevant to your career, earn a recognized credential, and evaluate whether you want to continue to the full degree. Every credit you earn in the certificate applies toward the MBA if you do.
The certificate is built entirely from the MBA elective catalog — meaning you choose six courses based on your specific career goals. Want healthcare leadership expertise? Take the four Healthcare Administration courses and you'll have the full MBA Healthcare Administration concentration as your certificate. Want marketing and digital skills? Take the marketing electives. Want general business breadth? Mix and match. The curriculum is yours to design.
Every certificate course you take is part of GCU's ACBSP-accredited MBA program — held to the same quality standards as the full degree. You're not getting a discounted version of business education; you're getting the same rigorous coursework at a smaller commitment. That accreditation credential follows you regardless of whether you complete the full MBA.
Like GCU's full MBA, the certificate is available in evening, Saturday, and fully online formats. No GMAT required. No career interruption required. You build your business expertise around the work you're already doing.
The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration gives working professionals a fast, flexible way to build graduate-level business competency without the full two-year MBA commitment. At 18 credits — six courses — you develop expertise in the areas that matter most to your role and career goals, drawn directly from the MBA elective catalog.
The certificate is fully stackable: all 18 credits apply toward GCU’s ACBSP-accredited MBA if you decide to continue. So the certificate is a genuine starting point, not a dead end. Many students begin with the certificate, find that they want the full degree, and continue seamlessly — without repeating a single course.
You’ll choose your 18 credits from the MBA elective catalog, which includes courses in Production & Operations Management, International Business, Corporate Governance & Business Ethics, Legal Environment of Business, Marketing Management, Healthcare Administration (HC courses), Digital Marketing, and more. Your advisor can help you build a certificate plan that reflects your industry, your role, and your next career move.
Note: BU691 Strategic Management (the MBA capstone) is excluded from the certificate — it is reserved for full MBA candidates who have completed the required core courses. All other MBA electives are eligible.
The student must complete 18 credits from the MBA program list of courses. All courses may be used except BU691.
Should a student choose to return for an MBA after completing the certificate program, any courses taken at Georgian Court as part of the certificate program, currently allowed for the MBA program at the time of acceptance, will be applied to the MBA requirements.
Students may not take more than 12 credits of MBA courses per semester without approval of the director of the MBA program.
Contact Graduate Admissions at 732-987-2770 or [email protected]
Welcome to the new georgian.edu!
We've redesigned our website to make it easier to explore Georgian Court. Some sections are still being finished and will be completed in the coming weeks. Thanks for your patience as we continue to improve your experience.
