Indigenous Business Leadership Executive MBA
Growing the wealth of our nations
The Indigenous Business Leadership Executive MBA program at SFU Beedie is designed for mid-career Indigenous leaders who strive toward community economic development, growth, sovereignty, and nationhood within the context of the modern-day economy. This internationally accredited Executive MBA program is grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing.
Overview
The Indigenous Business Leadership Executive MBA learning journey encompasses Indigenous business, strategy, decision-making, governance, entrepreneurship, and leadership. The program weaves together Indigenous worldviews with business theory to provide you with the tools and skills to create economically sustainable communities.
2025 marks the 13th anniversary of the Indigenous Business and Leadership Executive MBA. Today, we are proud to recognize 177 Indigenous community leaders who have earned their Executive MBA at SFU Beedie and are advancing Indigenous business management, economic development, Nation-building, and self-determination.
description Part-time
location_on Downtown Vancouver
calendar_month 20 months
The Indigenous Business and Leadership Executive MBA program is designed to honour your full-time work, community, and family responsibilities while you study. Using a blended program delivery model, this program requires you to be connected online twice a week and to travel for a one-week intensive in-person each semester to different locations across the country. The IBL EMBA program starts each September for 20 consecutive months.
IBL EMBA students are leaders with a vision for economic development, Nation-building, collaboration, and partnership. This program is designed for leaders and is dedicated to advancing their strategic and decision-making skills.
Class Profile
- Community and organizational leaders in the private and not-for-profit, government, and corporate sectors
- Entrepreneurs
- Trustees
- Board directors
How it works
The IBL EMBA schedule allows you to study while you continue working. The blended learning experience takes place over five semesters. Each semester, you will gather with your classmates in the community for a one-week intensive in-community learning experience in addition to the eight weeks of online classes per semester, meeting online twice a week.
In addition to in-person and online learning, you will be required to devote time to reading, writing, critical thinking, and teamwork. Plan to prepare for a week of 10 to 15 hours of schoolwork.
Where it can take you
The IBL EMBA program develops an in-depth view of how businesses and organizations are structured and managed. This program expands your business mindset and conceptual frameworks, giving you the skills to achieve greater responsibility. You will learn to apply a strategic and collaborative perspective to changing environments and diverse challenges.
The program will provide strategic management skills and prepare you to take on new responsibilities at work and within your community. You will gain new perspectives and ideas, learn business theories and applications, and develop the skills to implement meaningful projects for your organization.
Qualifying for the Indigenous Business Leadership Executive MBA program takes more than academic ability. We value your experience, skills and knowledge. Here’s what it takes to get into the program and join our community of Indigenous leaders who have earned their Executive MBA and are continuing to grow the wealth of our nations.
Academics
Academic achievements
- An undergraduate degree in any discipline.
- A two-year technology diploma or outstanding grades will be considered.
- Applicants with extensive work experience without a formal degree or professional designation may be considered. Each applicant under this category will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Work Experience
Applicants should have a minimum of 10 years of professional work experience with at least four of those years in a managerial or professional position.
We take a holistic approach in accepting students for our program. We take into consideration your work and life experiences in addition to your formal education.
Language Proficiency
All courses in the Indigenous Business Leadership Executive MBA program are taught in English, therefore all applicants must be fluent in English.
Official documents
Transcripts
- Official transcripts for credit courses from the Registrar of each post-secondary institution you attended must be sent directly to the Graduate Business program office. Only one copy is required from each institution. If the transcripts are issued to you, they must be signed and sealed by your post-secondary institution.
- For transcripts not in English or French, an official translation must be supplied. An official translator must include, as part of their translation, a declaration that they received an official, sealed copy of the transcripts that they then proceeded to translate.
Transcripts may be sent electronically via a secure delivery service, such as Parchment, or directly from official institutional email addresses to gradap@sfu.ca. Otherwise, please arrange to have your transcript sent to the following address:
ATTN: SFU Beedie Admissions Team
Segal Graduate School – 3rd Floor
500 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 1W6
Please note that each transcript is subject to review prior to acceptance.
Application Process
This is a part-time, in-person program in Vancouver, Canada; unfortunately, international students are not eligible to apply. International students are encouraged to explore our Full-Time MBA, Graduate Diploma in Business Administration or Master of Science in Finance programs.
Fall 2025 Application Deadlines
- Round 1: November 18, 2024
- Round 2: January 27, 2025
- Round 3: March 17, 2025
- Final Round: May 5, 2025
Please keep in mind that we process applications on a rolling basis and admissions decisions are handed out between application deadlines. You do not need to wait for a deadline to apply. If you have any questions during the application process or are unable to apply online, please email ibl_emba@sfu.ca.
Note: Extensions to the final round deadline will be given on a case-by-case basis.
Step 1: Complete online application form
You can use the Graduate Studies Application System to start your application. Upon submission, you will have seven days to pay your application fee in full. If you do not pay your application fee within the allotted time, your application will be cancelled. Once you have paid your application fee, you may begin to upload required documents. Your application will remain open until the cohort intake is closed.
Step 2: Reference Letters
You are required to submit two reference letters (professional references preferred). The online application form will have a section for information on your two referees. Once you have submitted your online application, your referees will be automatically sent an email requesting them to upload their reference letter. Once the reference letter is submitted, your online checklist is updated.
You are not entitled to review or submit the letter on behalf of the referee, nor can you request information regarding the content or tone of a reference letter or evaluation. Guidelines for the submission of reference letters specify that referees state whether or not the applicant will see the letters.
Note: Reference letters received at the SFU Beedie School of Business, Graduate Programs are treated as confidential and will not be shared with or returned to applicants or referees.
Step 3: Upload Your Documents
Resume: A complete resume showing employment, volunteer activities, education and other appropriate information.
Transcripts: A copy of your official/unofficial transcript to expedite the evaluation process. Signed and sealed official transcripts are still required to be mailed directly to SFU.
Essay: The essay prompts will be available once you make the payment for your application.
We begin reviewing applications for interview consideration as soon as we have received all application components. Candidates will hear back on an interview decision within two weeks of application completion.
If you have any questions during the application process or cannot apply online, please contact the MBA office at ibl_emba@sfu.ca or contact the Indigenous Business Leadership Executive MBA office.
Within 14 days of receiving your acceptance letter, a non-refundable deposit of $250 CDN must be submitted. This deposit reserves your seat in the Indigenous Business Leadership Executive MBA program and will be applied towards your tuition. Graduate students can pay by credit card through the graduate student online application system.