Professional MBA in Accounting and Finance

Houston Christian University’s Professional MBA in Accounting and Finance is designed for professionals who are ready to take their financial and accounting career to the next level. This 33-credit-hour program combines core business competencies with advanced specialization in financial management, accounting principles, and investment analysis. Small class environments foster direct engagement with distinguished faculty who bring decades of industry expertise and executive-level insight.

The program features the exciting International Management Experience, where students are immersed in global business practices. Recent expeditions to the Czech Republic, Austria, Costa Rica and Panama provide direct consultation opportunities with international executives and financial leaders. This experience offered at HCU exposes you to global financial approaches and cross-cultural business practices essential for anyone aspiring to contemporary senior financial roles.

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Program Distinctives

Program Flexibility: Students have the option to complete courses in online, residential, or hybrid formats. The program is sequenced to be completed in 4 contiguous semesters, but students have the choice to complete the program at their own pace. Online classes are 100% asynchronous remote with no on-campus requirements. Residential classes are taught on-campus of the evenings, Monday through Thursday, with each class in session only once per week. Hybrid classes blend the online and residential format, lessening the on-campus requirements while maintaining the on-campus learning community advantages.

Professional-Level Curriculum: Comprehensive graduate coursework in investments, risk management, and advanced auditing equips graduates for senior financial positions including Finance Director, Controller, and VP-level roles.

STEM Designation: Recognized program emphasizing sophisticated analytical methodologies essential for strategic decision-making with hands-on, computer-based learning.

Christian Foundation: Seamless incorporation of ethical frameworks into financial practices, developing principled leaders equipped for financial stewardship and organizational accountability.

Strategic Partnerships Advantage: Leverage HCU’s robust and thriving alumni community as well as Houston’s thriving business ecosystem and extensive professional networks spanning multiple industries and financial disciplines.

International Management Experience: A global engagement initiative offering exposure to international financial methodologies and direct consultation with global business executives in an exciting, immersive experience.

Curriculum

The comprehensive 33-credit-hour curriculum establishes mastery across essential business disciplines while developing specialized expertise in financial analysis and accounting leadership. Students engage foundational coursework in business fundamentals, data analytics, and accounting principles that provide the analytical foundation essential for financial leadership roles. Advanced study in investment management, risk assessment, and auditing develops the expertise required for directing complex financial operations and supporting strategic business decisions.

The program’s distinctive international management experience provides transformational exposure to global financial practices through direct engagement with international executives and entrepreneurs. Students develop expertise in financial strategy, transformational leadership, organizational behavior, and strategic business planning that prepare them for senior financial leadership roles. The curriculum integrates Christian ethical principles throughout all coursework, ensuring graduates emerge as principled leaders capable of balancing financial objectives with moral conviction and organizational stewardship.

Graduates of the Professional MBA in Accounting and Finance are well-prepared for a wide array of important financial leadership roles across industries. This accounting and finance MBA prepares professionals for positions requiring sophisticated financial analysis, strategic planning, and team leadership. The program’s emphasis on ethical decision-making and global business perspectives positions graduates for advancement in an increasingly complex business environment.

The strategic combination of advanced accounting principles, investment management, and risk assessment capabilities creates well-rounded professionals prepared for diverse financial leadership challenges. Whether pursuing advancement to Finance Director, Controller, Budget Director, or building the foundation for eventual CFO consideration, graduates emerge with the credentials and competencies that support successful career progression.

Career and Salary Outcomes

Graduates with this specialized accounting and finance MBA can expect competitive compensation reflecting their advanced expertise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals in financial leadership roles demonstrate strong earning potential across various career levels:

Financial Managers:

• Median annual wage of $161,700 in May 2024.
• Projected growth rate of 17% from 2023–2033 (much faster than average)

General and Operations Managers:

• Median annual wage of $102,950 in May 2024.
• Projected growth rate of 6% from 2023–2033 (faster than average)

Financial and Investment Analysts:

• Median annual wage of $101,350 in May 2024.
• Projected growth rate of 9% from 2023–2033 (much faster than average)

Budget Analysts:

• Median annual wage of $87,930 in May 2024.
• Projected growth rate of 4% from 2023–2033 (about as fast as average)

Accountants and Auditors:

• Median annual wage of $81,680 in May 2024.
• Projected growth rate of 6% from 2023–2033 (faster than average)

The specialized focus of this professional MBA positions graduates for advancement toward the higher end of these salary ranges as they progress through increasingly senior financial leadership roles such as Finance Director, Controller, Budget Director, and Investment Manager positions.

Professional MBA students at Houston Christian University access valuable opportunities designed to accelerate career advancement and professional development. The program’s strategic positioning within Houston’s dynamic business environment creates access to networking, internship, and research opportunities with leading financial institutions and corporations.

These experiences complement classroom learning with practical application, ensuring graduates emerge with both theoretical expertise and real-world capabilities essential for success in today’s competitive financial landscape.

Professional Experience Opportunities

Professional MBA students access meaningful internship and project opportunities with corporations, investment firms, and financial institutions throughout the Houston metropolitan area. These experiences provide practical application of advanced financial principles while building professional networks essential for career advancement.

Recent partnerships include placements with energy sector financial departments, healthcare finance organizations, and investment management firms. These experiences allow students to work with financial professionals and gain insights into strategic decision-making processes and advanced financial analysis.

The program’s flexible approach enables working professionals to explore new career directions while maintaining current professional commitments, with scheduling options designed for busy professional schedules.

Research

Students engage in financial research projects that address real-world business challenges facing modern organizations. Faculty-guided research opportunities focus on areas including investment analysis, risk management implementation, and financial technology applications.

The program’s emphasis on data analytics provides students with research capabilities valued in today’s information-driven financial environment. Research projects often result in presentations to industry partners and opportunities for professional recognition.

Students frequently collaborate with Houston-area businesses on consulting projects that provide practical experience while delivering value to partner organizations. These research experiences strengthen analytical capabilities while building professional portfolios that demonstrate expertise to potential employers.

Networking

The Professional MBA program provides access to Houston Christian University’s extensive alumni network, including numerous professionals in financial leadership roles throughout the region. Regular networking events, speaker series, and alumni mentorship programs create opportunities for meaningful professional relationship development.

The International Management Experience component facilitates global networking opportunities with international business leaders, expanding professional connections beyond domestic markets. These relationships often prove valuable for career advancement and business development opportunities.

Houston’s position as a major business center provides access to industry associations, professional organizations, and professional development programs. Students regularly participate in industry events, financial planning conferences and leadership forums that strengthen professional networks while enhancing industry knowledge.