Northwestern College expands MBA offerings with new specializations

Northwestern College is expanding its online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with seven new specializations, some offered in partnership with Rize Education. Beginning in the fall of 2025, students can pursue advanced specializations designed to align with the evolving demands of today’s business environment and equip students with in-demand skills for high-growth industries.

The new MBA specializations at Northwestern College are structured to integrate seamlessly into the college’s one-year program. Each specialization consists of three courses that are delivered online in an asynchronous format, providing maximum flexibility for both working professionals and full-time students.

The new MBA specializations include:

• Artificial intelligence: Prepares students to apply AI tools strategically in business and manage AI projects effectively.

• Business analytics: Equips students with skills in data analysis, visualization and storytelling to drive business insights.

• Cybersecurity: Trains students to manage cyber risks, implement governance frameworks, and defend against digital threats.

• Finance: Covers essential financial principles, portfolio management, and emerging technologies like blockchain and decentralized finance.

• Health care administration: Focuses on the management, economics and financial challenges of health care organizations.

• Innovation and change management: Fosters an entrepreneurial mindset and project management knowledge in order to be a change agent in any setting.

• Sports management: Turns a passion for sports into a career by providing an operational background for athletic administration.

“These new specializations reflect our commitment to providing students with an up-to-date and meaningful education,” says Dr. Nate Phinney, vice president for academic affairs. “By adding these expanded offerings to a program grounded in thoughtful Christian reflection on business practices, we are ensuring that our graduates have the expertise and disposition to lead in today’s rapidly evolving job market.”

Developed by academic and industry experts, Northwestern’s new MBA specializations blend rigorous coursework with practical applications, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to lead in their respective fields.

Prospective students interested in these specializations can visit nwciowa.edu/mba or contact an enrollment expert at online@nwciowa.edu.

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Earn your master's degree at Northwestern

Northwestern’s Graduate & Professional Studies division offers flexible, affordable programs designed to help adult learners meet their professional goals. Many programs have 100% online coursework, including master's degrees in education (eight tracks); school and clinical mental health counseling; business administration; graduate-level education endorsements and certificates; undergraduate degree-completion programs in early childhood education; and certificates in medical and legal interpreting. The division also offers an on-campus master's degree in physician assistant studies, which is accredited by the ARC-PA.