Why Add a Certificate to Your MBA? OLLU’s Executive MBA Advantage

If you’ve been considering an MBA, you’re most likely already familiar with the value it can add to your resume: a strong business foundation, leadership and networking growth, and expanded career opportunities. However, at Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU), Executive MBA students’ studies take them further than other MBA programs can, thanks to the two specialized certificates OLLU offers: Healthcare Practice Management and Nonprofit Management.

Allowing students to graduate with two credentials at no additional cost and without adding time to the degree, these two programs stand out for motivated professionals interested in taking their careers in healthcare or nonprofit organizations further. 

 

Why Pair an MBA with a Certificate?

An MBA is one of the most recognized and versatile business credentials, opening doors across industries. Given the recent increase in competition within the US job market, combined with the growth of AI tools in the workplace, professionals who bring niche expertise along with broad business acumen have the opportunity to stand out even more than before.

OLLU’s certificate program, offered concurrently within the executive MBA, allows you to refine your business studies through the lens of healthcare or nonprofit business, creating development opportunities for the specialized skills employers in these sectors are looking for. With a certificate, you can signal to potential employers that you understand the unique challenges and opportunities in their field, making you a more attractive candidate for leadership roles.

In other words, pairing your MBA with a certificate can give you an edge over other applicants and position you as the kind of leader today’s organizations need.

 

OLLU’s Executive MBA: More Value, No Extra Time

Many MBA programs offer specialization tracks or electives, but OLLU takes it a step further. Through its Executive MBA program, OLLU students can earn both an MBA and a graduate-level certificate in either Healthcare Practice Management or Nonprofit Management, without paying additional tuition or extending their timeline.

That’s a key differentiator of OLLU’s program: your certificate is built into the curriculum and earned concurrently with your MBA. You don’t have to enroll in separate schools, add semesters, or take on extra fees.

Combined with the one-year completion time and without the requirement of a GRE/GMAT, both costly exams that require substantial preparation, OLLU’s Executive MBA program not only becomes an accessible choice but also a smart investment in your career.

 

Build Expertise in High-Impact Fields

Both certificate options offered through OLLU’s Executive MBA prepare students for leadership in some of the most impactful sectors of today’s economy:

Healthcare Practice Management

Healthcare is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the country, and it needs skilled leaders who understand how to navigate the complexities of delivering care while managing operations efficiently. The Healthcare Practice Management certificate equips you with knowledge of healthcare policy, compliance, and organizational dynamics, making you an important asset in hospitals, clinics, and health systems.

Nonprofit Management

Nonprofits face unique challenges compared to traditional businesses, from fundraising to mission-driven operations. The Nonprofit Management certificate teaches you how to lead effectively in this environment, with coursework in areas like grant writing, program evaluation, and board development. Whether you’re already working in the nonprofit world or looking to transition into it, this certificate gives you the tools to make a difference.

 

Learn from Faculty with Real-World Experience

At OLLU, you’ll study with faculty who bring real-world expertise in business, healthcare, and nonprofit leadership. Their experience in the field informs the classroom, helping you connect theory to practice and apply your learning directly to your career. Small class sizes ensure that you get individualized attention and can build meaningful relationships with both instructors and peers, a network that will serve you long after graduation.

 

Take the Next Step with OLLU

If you’re ready to advance your career with an Executive MBA, OLLU offers a unique opportunity to earn two career-boosting credentials in one program, without added cost or time. Whether you choose to focus on healthcare or nonprofit leadership, you’ll graduate with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take on leadership roles and make an impact in your chosen field.

Learn more and apply today to start your journey toward becoming the kind of leader today’s organizations need.