The Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Program requires 60 units. The academic year is focused on Fall and Spring semesters, but a substantive summer program includes certain core and elective courses often taught by visiting faculty.
The first year is comprised of foundational core business courses, including The Drucker Difference. Other foundational courses include Quantitative Methods, Organizational Behavior, Financial Accounting, Macroeconomics, Marketing, Corporate Finance, Applied Operational Methods, and Strategy. Students must also take the Practice of Management, a practice-based sequence of courses focusing on the skill that enable our graduate to become knowledge workers in creative industries and professional firms.
During the second year, students align their individual, professional goals through elective courses and project-based Practice of Management courses.
Concentrations. Upon completion of foundational courses and generally in the second year, MBA students have the option to direct their studies in a specific area of concentration. Available concentrations include the following.
- Marketing
- Finance
- Information Technology Management
- Strategy
- Leadership
- Global Management
Curriculum Opportunities
The integrative approach of the MBA curriculum is designed to allow students to progressively build upon and relate acquired skills and experiences as they progress through the program.
A number of courses bring students into direct contact with outside managers and current management challenges. Internships, field studies, applied projects, and independent study programs allow students to test their skills on real-world problems in established businesses. Visiting faculty and corporate leaders bring contemporary management issues and developments directly into the classroom.
International Experiences. International experience is available through a number of courses. Doing Business in Asia, offered during the Fall, is taught in Hong Kong. In the Spring, Doing Business in a Culture of Sustainability is taught in Costa Rica.
For students who would like to live abroad for an entire semester, exchange semesters are available at the following institutions.
- Hitotsubashi University, Japan
- Rotterdam School of Management, Netherlands
- St. Gallen, Switzerland
Department-Specific Policies
Transfer Credit. Up to 16 units of transfer credit may be applied, provided coursework was taken within the last five years. See other qualifications for transfer credit in the Registration and Degree Information section of the Bulletin.
Time to Degree. Students are required to complete the program in six years. Generally, student enrolled full-time, 12 units or more, may complete all degree requirements within two years. Students enrolled on a part-time basis, 8 units or less, may complete the degree in 2-1/2 to three years.