An MBA Tailored
to Your Needs
EMBA-IBL
Executive MBA in Indigenous Business Leadership
The SFU Executive MBA in Indigenous Business Leadership (EMBA IBL) is the only accredited MBA program in North America addressing Indigenous business, economic development and entrepreneurship. Designed primarily for mid-career Indigenous professionals from across Canada, participants are proven leaders who share an interest in Indigenous business management, economic development, Nation-building, and self-determination. The program includes the core concepts and knowledge covered in most MBA programs while recognizing and respecting that traditional knowledge, cultural protocols and history play a significant role in decision-making in Indigenous communities. Students travel to Vancouver to attend intensive one or two-week sessions over the period of 5-terms which permits them to continue to work.
Overview
Who it’s for
The program is ideal for mature managers and leaders who have a strong background in managing businesses, developing and implementing economic development plans, experience within an Indigenous government or organization, and/or in another relevant area.
What you’ll learn
The program enhances your management and leadership skills and provides tools to take on new responsibilities within your organization or community. While studying you can continue to contribute in your workplace by applying new theories and approaches. The learning experience includes intensive in-class components for an average of 30 to 35 days per year. This face-to-face learning experience is a significant feature of the EMBA IBL, increasing its value to you and your organizations. Between sessions, you communicate online to complete individual assignments and group projects.
Where it can take you
The EMBA IBL gives you a 360-degree view of Indigenous businesses and economic ventures, nationally and internationally, a strategic mindset and a conceptual framework for new levels of responsibility. You will learn to apply a strategic perspective to changing economic environments and diverse challenges.
Schedule
Our Executive MBA in Indigenous Business Leadership is designed for those who are working full or part-time so you can expand your skillset, without pausing your career.
- 20 months
- In-class components for an average of 30 to 35 days per year mainly at the Beedie School of Business in Vancouver
- Study tour to Indigenous communities, businesses, or institutions
- September start date
Tuition, Fees, and Funding
Tuition
Domestic students (Citizens & Permanent Residents of Canada): TBD
Fees and other costs
An additional cost of $2,000 - $4,000 may be required for the study tour.
Funding
Sponsorship from your Nation or other Indigenous Organizations
For those students who may receive full or partial financial support from their Nation or community to help with the costs of their education, SFU has a process for invoicing and receiving these payments. Please direct your sponsor to visit our instructional page here and complete the “Indigenous (First Nations) and Métis Student Sponsorship Authorization” form before the start of your program. The completed form can be emailed to student_accounts@sfu.ca.
For more information on funding opportunities, visit Fund Your Degree.
Location

At the heart of downtown Vancouver is SFU Beedie’s Segal Graduate School campus, a heritage bank reimagined as a 60,000 square-foot landmark housing classrooms, meeting rooms and study spaces.
It’s centrally located with easy access to public transit, which makes getting to and from class exceptionally convenient.
Plus, you’re surrounded by cafes, shops and restaurants. It’s a neighbourhood as vibrant as any.
SFU Beedie’s Segal Graduate School campus respectfully acknowledges that the Beedie School of Business resides on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh SFU respectfully acknowledges the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), sə ̓lilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷə ̓ƛəm (Kwikwetlem), Kwantlen, Katzie Semiahmoo, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen peoples on whose traditional territories our three campuses reside.