The Benefits of Earning an MBA from a Christian Perspective

Hands clasped over Bible in prayer group

October 16, 2019

Some may wonder what role faith plays in business? We spend one-third of our adult lives working. Feeling connected to the work we do not only makes us better employees but also helps us serve a greater purpose. There are countless ways faith empowers business leaders today, from corporate responsibility to the treatment of other employees. As a faith-based educational institution, Spring Arbor University’s online MBA program offers students the opportunity to grow professionally, personally, and spiritually.

The Focus of a Faith-Based Education

Spring Arbor’s educational approach is based on core Christian values. By doing so, these concepts are reinforced:

Inclusivity: Shared faith practices help students build a close-knit academic community where they can support each other and encourage the embrace of other ideologies.
Morality and ethical practice: The Christian faith emphasizes the cultivation of a learning space where contributions are governed by a desire to learn and share in a process of universal growth and development.
Commitment to success: As stated in Colossians 3:23, “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” Instilling this determination through the lens of faith can be particularly inspiring for students.

Beyond these components, a Christian MBA can also help ground students as they envision where their respective academic and professional journeys might take them.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” Colossians 3:23

An Enriching Journey

Many students have goals that encouraged them to pursue higher education; however, the path to achieving these goals is not always straight and easy. By creating a space within the Christian business degree to learn, while also reflect on one’s faith, students can feel supported as they make important decisions in their development.

Earning a degree can be enriching all-around; it does not mean you have to forgo personal or spiritual development. In fact, more students are looking to grow in all aspects, not just academically. The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities noted a nearly 20 percent growth in enrollment between 2003 and 2015 at Christian-based schools. This recent uptick demonstrates more demand for faith-based education.

The Business Benefits of an MBA

Earning your Master’s in Business allows you to showcase leadership skills, as well as your understanding of key business principles. An MBA indicates you are prepared to tackle challenges of the modern business marketplace, advancing your:

Marketability: An MBA degree can be your foot in the door, making you more competitive against other candidates for myriad roles, particularly when it comes to upper level or managerial positions.
Skillsets: Quality MBA programs create more versatile business professionals by improving abilities like problem-solving and creative thinking, that can be applied across disciplines.
Professional networking: Entering an MBA cohort provides the opportunity to collaborate with others from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience. Learning alongside other students can be the foundation for enduring professional relationships.

Business networking graphic

Quality MBA programs – like Spring Arbor’s online Christian business degree – offer other advantages, including:

Convenience: Online enrollment lets students continue to work while pursuing their next educational milestone. This convenient format means no interruptions in your professional work life as you seek to advance your credentials.
Cost-effectiveness: Forbes has noted exponential growth in online MBA programs in recent years; one of the main factors for this growth, beyond convenience, is the dramatically lower cost as compared to traditional MBA programs.
Dynamic diversity: Online MBA classrooms tend to bring together an even more varied cohort of professionals from all around the world. This diversity can be an added bonus when it comes to professional connections and networking opportunities.

An MBA can be a gateway to incredible and fulfilling professional paths. Pursuing such a degree online can mean even more advantages in terms of personal and professional development.

Christian Morals + Exceptional Education = Ethical Leaders

Business leaders are faced with challenges daily, but a strong moral compass not only helps carry the weight of decisions but also assures that your judgment stays aligned with your faith. Christian business degrees reinforce faith-based ethics that can transform a career into a calling. Bringing these core concepts to your work beyond your Christian MBA program means infusing your contributions with the desire to make a positive change in the business world.

Spring Arbor’s online Christian MBA underscores the way in which its faith-based education supports student development. In addition to offering guidance through the words of Christian scripture, students learn the value of working as a team. Just as is stated in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” this means stepping in when a colleague might need help, and it also means recognizing when to applaud a colleague’s ideas and accomplishments.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” Philippians 4:13

All-encompassing support is one of Spring Arbor’s defining characteristics: students join in the online classroom and develop a tight-knit community, united in faith. Those earning their Christian MBA graduate prepared to emerge as leaders in business, with faith strengthened every step of the way.