Business Administration, M.B.A.

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MBA Program

The Career MBA Program

Offered by: College of Business Administration

The Master of Business Administration curriculum is designed to provide a two-year program of broad professional development. The objectives are to develop a better understanding of the role of the professional manager and the responsibilities within the firm and society; to assist the student in developing a critical approach to decision making and the ability to speak and write effectively and professionally; to develop skills in interpersonal relations; and to develop a sound theoretical understanding of organizations and a management perspective for considering problems and making decisions from the viewpoint of the entire firm, industry and economy.

Admission to the Program and Requirements

After a prospective student has submitted the application for admission to the MBA program to the Office of Admissions, the procedure will be as follows:

Admission to the MBA program will be granted upon the recommendation of the College of Business Administration Associate Dean. Selection will be on the basis of evidence of ability to perform at a high academic level. The following criteria are considered: the undergraduate grade-point average, scores on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), managerial work experience, letters of recommendation and the applicant’s personal statement.
A minimum GMAT score of 450 is required to be considered for admission to the program.
A TOEFL score of 237 Computer Based, 580 Paper Based, 92 Internet Based, or better is required for admission of international students to the program. The IELTS with a score of 7 or better may also be considered.
First-year program courses may be waived if equivalent courses have been successfully completed or proficiency in the subject matter can be demonstrated. Waiver will be granted on recommendation of the Associate Dean.
No more than 13 units of acceptable graduate credit may be transferred from another AACSB accredited graduate institution. No more than 13 units taken through Extended University may be used on a contract. No more than 13 units of acceptable graduate credit may be petitioned by an undergraduate student. A total limit of 13 transfer, Extended University, and/or units petitioned for graduate credit may be included on a master’s contract. The stipulated time limit of 7 years applies to all of the above.
A degree requirements worksheet will be prepared by the Graduate Business Programs Office when the student is admitted. An official degree program will be finalized prior to the completion of the second quarter. It will be approved by the Graduate Business Programs Office and verified by the Graduate Studies Analyst.
A grade-point average of 3.0 (B) or better must be maintained in all course work taken to satisfy degree requirements and in all graduate-level course work taken at this university.
Students will be required to meet all prerequisite requirements before enrolling in 600-level courses.
To advance to candidacy for the MBA, MSA, or MSBA degree, a student must: (a) achieve unconditional standing; (b) complete at least 12 units of graduate coursework at Cal Poly Pomona with a GPA of 3.0 or better; (c) pass the Graduation Writing Test; and, (d) have an approved program of study on file.
The candidate must be enrolled in the university during the quarter of graduation.

MBA Program

Curriculum

Prerequisite Courses

First Year: 36 units

Required Core Courses for Major

Second Year: 36 units

Elective Courses-MBA Program

Select from the following list: 8 units

Note(s):

With consent of the Graduate Business Programs Office up to 8 units of approved 400-level courses in business or economics may be selected as electives.

Terminal Option

Choose I or II: (4 units)

Option I

GBA 695 - Business Research Project (2-4)

Option II

GBA 696 - Master’s Degree Thesis (2-4)

Total Second Year: 48 units

The Career MBA Program:

The Career MBA Program is designed for students who wish to emphasize a particular functional area of business. A set of courses appropriate to the career goal is selected by the student and the appropriate Graduate Faculty Advisor with the approval of the Associate Dean.

Admission to the program and other requirements are identical to those of the regular MBA. Students may change to the Career MBA or MBA at any time, but are encouraged to decide early in order to avoid taking courses for which credit cannot be given. Students with an undergraduate business major are, generally, advised not to emphasize the same area in the MBA.

The program consists of 48 units of coursework designed to ensure broad competence in management, in technical skills and in human relations as well as in the area of specialization. Current curriculum sheets for each emphasis as well as information on Graduate Faculty Advisors are available in the Graduate Business Programs Office. Students may choose one of the following emphases:

Accounting

Provides emphasis on public accounting, management accounting, or internal auditing (with the possibility of preparing for certification); or, in the areas of government and not-for-profit accounting or taxation. Intermediate accounting courses may be required for no graduate credit for some of these tracks, and are recommended for all.

Entrepreneurship

For those interested in founding their own business or working effectively in the fast-changing world of growing companies. In addition to the emphasis on start-up companies and small business management, this concentration examines the strategies used in larger corporations to tap the entrepreneurial spirit.

Finance

Provides specialization in the areas of financial analysis, the management of financial institutions, security analysis, and multi-national finance.

Hospitality Management

Designed for managers who desire an MBA with a management operations theme in the hospitality industry. The Collins College of Hospitality Management (rated one of the top-five hospitality management programs in North America) offers the hospitality emphasis with courses in management, strategy, leadership, operations analysis, multi-unit management, and information systems.

Human Resource Management

Covers such areas as employee selection, training and development, benefits programs, compensation, legal requirements, and personnel problems in diverse organizations. Prepares individuals for a variety of careers in the human resources field.

International Business

Provides knowledge and expertise in international business needed to allow students to work for and/or with multinational firms. Students will be introduced to the global economic environment and the complexities of multinational sources of supply, markets, and funding. Many graduates will apply their business skills to careers in international trade.

Marketing

Provides for specialization in marketing, the business function that identifies unfulfilled needs and wants, defines and measures their magnitude, determines which target markets the organization can best serve, decides on appropriate products, services, and programs to serve these markets, and calls upon everyone in the organization to “think and serve the customer.” Students who complete this emphasis will develop the skills and knowledge needed to become marketing managers and aid their organizations in achieving marketing objectives.

Technology and Operations Management

Provides basic knowledge and expertise for students with career interests in the management of manufacturing and service operations. A broad selection of course offerings permits students to tailor their program in the areas of Supply Chain Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, E-business, lean operations, project management (PERT/CPM), quality assurance (Six Sigma), purchasing, forecasting, facilities management, and quantitative methods (simulation modeling and management science).