Requirements
The Master of Business Administration program requires completion of a minimum of 36 units of graduate course work as established and approved by the College of Business MBA office. The MBA program must include:
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I. First Year Core |
0‑12 |
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II. Advancement to Candidacy |
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III. Second Year Core |
21 |
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IV. Advanced Study |
12 |
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V. Capstone |
3 |
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Total units |
36‑48 |
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First Year Core: Common Body of Knowledge
The masters degree presupposes mastery of a common body of knowledge. Students with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from this University or from other AACSB-accredited business schools within the last 3 years will have met much of the First Year Core requirements depending on the grades they achieved in certain courses. Upon acceptance to the MBA Program, student’s transcripts are reviewed for completion of the necessary course work for mastery of the common body of knowledge. A grade of “B” or better within the last 3 years is required to meet the criteria. More information about this requirement and waiver exams is available from the COB Graduate Programs Office.
Students with comparable, three-year old coursework from a non-AACSB business school with grades of “B” or better may take waiver exams only at the beginning of their program to demonstrate capability in the First Year Core classes.
Waivers of the First Year Core classes are based upon recent, satisfactory educational background at either a graduate or undergraduate level as described above. Students who have not met the entire common body of knowledge requirements prior to admission to the MBA Program will be required to enroll in the appropriate First Year Core Courses to make up any deficiency.
The First Year Core consists of at most four courses (up to 12 units):
Advancement to Candidacy
Students admitted with all First Year Core requirements completed must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy for the degree after completion of their first six units. Other students must file the application during the semester in which the First Year Core requirements are to be completed. Prior to advancement to candidacy, a student must:
- Admitted to the MBA Program.
- Maintain an overall minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, including work transferred from other institutions, and a minimum 3.0 GPA in all work completed at this University.
- Complete all First Year Core Requirements, with no grade lower than “C”.
- Prepare an official student program in consultation with the COB Graduate Programs Office. This program must include the Second‑Year Core in effect at the time of Advancement to Candidacy, the 12 unit program for the area of Advanced Study and the Capstone Course, GBA 699 , for a total of 36 units.
- File the application for Advancement to Candidacy with the COB Graduate Programs Office for approval by the Graduate Program Director.
Second Year Core
Upon completion of the First Year Core, either by waiver or graduate course work, students move directly into the Second Year Core. (See section on Advancement to Candidacy). This core consists of seven courses (21 units) which provide the breadth requirements for the MBA degree at the advanced level.
Take the following courses:
Advanced Study
The General MBA is designed for students with an undergraduate business degree or any other student desiring a more broad‑based MBA curriculum. The General MBA requires 12 units of graduate course work in three different areas within the College of Business subject to approval by the COB Graduate Programs Office.
Fast Track Accelerated Master of Business Administration
The Fast Track Accelerated Master of Business Administration (AMBA) program is available to promising students seeking to take the next step in their Career. CSULB undergraduate business administration students may apply to the Fast Track AMBA program as undergraduates. Students are eligible for the Fast Track AMBA if they maintain a 3.0 Overall and Upper Division Major GPA. Students deemed eligible for the Fast Track AMBA program may waive the GMAT/GRE test and additional application requirement. Please inquire with the Graduate Business Office for more information.
Transfer Credit
Assuming the Continuous Enrollment requirement has been satisfied, a maximum of nine credits that closely complement the student’s degree objectives may be applied toward the requirements for the MBA degree beyond the First Year Core under the following conditions:
- the credits under consideration must be graduate credits,
- the course work must be taken at an AACSB accredited graduate program,
- prior approval must be obtained from the COB Graduate Programs Director,
- prior approval must be obtained from the department chair of the course work being transferred.
The remaining units must be completed in courses at CSULB reserved exclusively for graduate students.
MBA Programs
The College of Business offers four different Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs.
Accelerated MBA
The Accelerated MBA (AMBA) program is a full-time cohort-based program focusing on Entrepreneurship and Innovation. It is designed for recent graduates with relatively little work experience. See the College of Business website for complete details.
CSULB undergraduate business administration students may apply to the Fast-Track AMBA program as undergraduates. Students are eligible for the Fast-Track AMBA if they maintain a 3.0 Overall and Upper Division Major GPA. Please inquire with the Graduate Business Office for more information.
Saturday MBA
The Saturday MBA is a cohort-based program focusing on disruptive technology and corporate social responsibility. The program is designed for students with at least three years’ work experience. The program is delivered in a hybrid format where content is delivered both in-person (Saturdays) and online. See the College of Business website for complete details.
Online MBA
The Online MBA program is a cohort-based program. Students select either a full-time or part-time track. All classes are delivered electronically (online), and any class meetings are scheduled during evenings. See the College of Business website for complete details.
Evening MBA
The Evening MBA program is a flexible program designed for working professionals. Classes are held evenings. Students proceed through the program at their own pace. See the College of Business website for complete details.
The Evening MBA offers the opportunity for students to specialize in areas of study as outlined below.
MBA Specializations
Specializations require 12 units with at least nine units of graduate course work in one area. These specializations are only available in the evening program.
Any student may count three units of Directed Studies (697) toward Advanced Study requirements. See COB Graduate Programs Office for more details.
Elective courses designed to fulfill specialization requirements must be approved by the COB Graduate Programs Office through the completion and acceptance of student’s Advancement to Candidacy.
