MBA/MA in Philosophy Dual Degree

Pursue a graduate degree that offers just as much training in ethical leadership and virtue as it does in business strategy and problem solving. Our Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Philosophy dual degree allows students to seek the Common Good while embracing their moral, social, and corporate responsibility for human dignity.

Humans are made to flourish in business and in life. The University of Mary's innovative dual MBA/MA in Philosophy degree promotes this flourishing by combining the study of philosophy, ethics, human happiness, and reasoning with the study of concrete, objective business know-how. To understand the ultimate purpose of business — advancing the Common Good — leaders must be able to think like philosophers. They must be people of character who can explain, persuade, and motivate their organization while leading the people around them to ultimate success.

In a time when more and more people are becoming addicted to working, it's also crucial that business-minded graduates of our program understand the interplay between work, play, and leisure. We show our students what it means to be True Leaders who do not worship work and who are, instead, solidified in the truth: the study of it and the expression of it in a business setting.

We form our students deeply in the tradition of virtue ethics and Catholic Social Teaching. In this way, our graduates can identify both the means and the ends of business and personal success. Businesses are the building blocks of civil society, and our MBA/MA in Philosophy program treats them as such.

Take the First Step

Get in touch with any questions or submit a simple application for admission.
After you're admitted to the university as a candidate for graduate studies, we will assist you every step of the way toward acceptance into your academic program so you can enroll and begin your classes!

At a Glance

62,400

Number of new legal positions projected to become available in the next 10 years

Program Length

As little as 16 months

Formats

Online with a one week summer institute

Tuition per Credit

$595

Is This the Degree For Me?

Who It’s For

Growth-minded business leaders who are looking to advance their practical skills
Business professionals interested in acquiring advanced, quantitative business skills
Professionals seeking to gain a competitive edge in business, law, or public service
Problem-solvers seeking real-world skills to back up their ideas
Working professionals and recent graduates in addition to University of Mary students participating in the Year-Round Campus program

Career Paths

Lawyer
Manager
Director
Vice President
C-Suite Executive
Business Strategist
Non-Profit Management
Government Official

What You’ll Learn

Identify the philosophical foundations of both the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and its rivals, especially as they pertain to the common good
Make decisions utilizing Benedictine values, ethical frameworks, and professional standards.
Identify fundamental distinctions and underlying assumptions, synthesize content, formulate and explicate arguments, and draw meaningful connections between ideas
Demonstrate professional competence in written and oral communication to a variety of audiences.
Evaluate the contemporary global business environment in an integrated manner to propose business solutions
Interpret results from multiple business support tools to inform decision making

Program Details

Program Information

Please visit our catalog for admission requirements and a full list of our courses.

Your first step is to get in touch with any questions or submit the simple application for admission. After acceptance to the University as a candidate for graduate studies, we will assist you every step of the way toward acceptance into your academic program so you can enroll and begin your classes!

If you are serving or have served our country, we sincerely thank you. Our military services office is here to work closely with active duty, retired, reserve, and eligible family members qualified for military benefits. Learn how we can help you with the application process and review the benefits you have earned.

For a full list of fees, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

The University of Mary is committed to putting your educational goals within reach. Learn what scholarships you qualify for.

We welcome students from various backgrounds, including transfer students from institutionally accredited colleges and universities recognized by the US Dept. of Education and those with military or career and work experience.

How do I show my previous college, military, or work experience?

Official transcripts (if applicable) from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 should be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions.
- Did you graduate from the University of Mary? Then we’ll get your Mary transcript for you!
- At most other schools, you can request transcripts by going to the National Student Clearinghouse or by contacting the registrar’s office.
  - Have your transcripts sent to:
    Office of Admissions
    University of Mary
    7500 University Drive
    Bismarck, ND 58504
  - Or request to send electronic transcripts to registrar@umary.edu.
Students with previous career or work experience can earn credits for prior learning.
- You can choose to test for prior learning credits — we convert your test scores into college credit.
- You can request a portfolio review for prior learning credits. You’ll assemble documentation to show your experience, which will be reviewed and evaluated by an experienced faculty member.
Military experience can count towards a degree.
- If you are Active duty, National Guard, Reserve, or a Veteran from the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy, you can request your transcript through Joint Services Transcript.
- Air Force personnel should contact the CCAF to receive your transcript.
- If you already have your CCAF degree, check out our Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative page to see how you can apply your degree to get a bachelor’s degree at the University of Mary.

WHAT WILL I NEED TO APPLY?

All of our programs require you to fill out the general application form in addition to submitting the application fee and your transcripts.
Any program-specific requirements you’ll need to submit in addition to the items listed above can be found in our catalog.

At the University of Mary, we review every application on an individual basis, ensuring that the materials you submit are evaluated with care and attention. Reach out to us if you have any questions in filling out your application.

Get Started Today

Apply Online