The Master of Business Administration

The goal of the MBA program is to prepare its participants for challenging managerial positions in ever-changing international working environments. To accomplish this, the program provides its participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective managerial decision-making, the flexibility to pursue a general or moderately specialized business curriculum, and a basis for continued personal and professional growth. The program is designed for those with undergraduate degrees in any major.

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. A maximum of 9 semester units of transfer and/or CSU Chico Open University course work may be applied toward the degree.

Graduate Time Limit:

All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See Master's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Prerequisites to Graduate Study in Business

Enrollment in graduate (600-level) MBA courses presupposes completion of prerequisite courses covering the common body of knowledge in business, including:

Working knowledge of microcomputer applications: word processor, spreadsheet, and data base management is required.

Students with recent baccalaureates in business normally have met all prerequisites for graduate study in business. The Office of the Business Graduate Coordinator determines prerequisite completion. Upon admission to the program, such students usually begin taking the 30 units of required and elective courses for the MBA.

Students with a minor in Business Administration may have completed most of the prerequisite requirements for graduate study in business. Consult the Office of the Graduate Coordinator to determine whether unmet prerequisites remain.

Students with a non-business baccalaureate are also encouraged to consider pursuing an MBA. Often, they have met some of the prerequisite requirements within their undergraduate course work. Consult the Office of the Graduate Advisor to determine which unmet prerequisites remain.

There are two basic ways to complete prerequisites covering the common body of knowledge in business. Students who otherwise meet entrance requirements may be "conditionally classified" in the MBA program while they take prerequisite courses at California State University, Chico. Alternatively, students may choose to complete most or all of the prerequisites, here or elsewhere, prior to admission to the program. Consult the Office of the Graduate Coordinator to determine which option will best meet your needs and which prerequisites you have already completed.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements in the University Catalog.

2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Studies.

The goal of the Graduate Admission Committee is to select candidates who will become effective managers in private and public organizations. Accordingly, applicants are evaluated on intellectual ability, demonstrated managerial ability and potential, and personal characteristics conducive to academic and professional success, such as maturity, motivation, interpersonal skills, leadership, and breadth of experience.

In its deliberations, the Admissions Committee looks for responsible academic performance, for good Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and for qualities of personal development which promise career success. Specifically, the Committee reviews:

A. The motivation to pursue graduate study in business and the potential to achieve a management position as evidenced in a written statement of purpose;

B. Collegiate-level scholastic achievements (the entire undergraduate record, with particular emphasis on junior and senior years, and graduate record, if any, is examined for content and course grades.);

C. Aptitude for business graduate education, as indicated by scores on the GMAT or GRE;

D. The personal characteristics of the candidate which are conducive to academic and professional success, such as maturity, motivation, interpersonal skills, leadership, and breadth of experience, as reported in the Letters of Recommendation.

The Admission Committee will operate in a manner consistent with and supportive of the ideals and goals of equal access and equal opportunity.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

Students must satisfy the "common body of knowledge" prerequisites for graduate study in business identified above.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing and completion at the University of at least 9 units of the proposed graduate program.

2. Development of an approved program in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

Requirements for the Master of Business Administration:

Completion of all requirements as established by the College of Business Graduate Committee, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Office of Graduate Studies to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of course work as indicated below.

2. Completion and final approval of a thesis, a professional paper, or simulation mini-thesis as specified by the student's Graduate Advisory Committee.

3. Approval by the College of Business Graduate Committee and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the University.

MBA course work

21 units required:

BADM 693 is to be taken as part of the last 9 units, or during the last semester of the graduate program. Registration in BADM 693 must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator.

9 units selected from:

Business electives: Courses in other colleges of the University may be substituted if approved by the Graduate Coordinator. Culminating experience may count for one to 6 units, depending on option selected (thesis, professional paper, or mini-thesis).

(a) At least 24 units must be 600-level; 6 units may be at 400/500-level upon approval by the Graduate Coordinator.

(b) Not more than 9 semester units of transfer and/or extension credit (correspondence courses and U.C. extension course work are not acceptable).

(c) Not more than 9 units of Independent Study (697), Directed Internship (689), and Master's Thesis (699); not more than 6 units of Master's Thesis (699).

MBA course work - Accounting Emphasis

MBA students desiring an emphasis in Accountancy are required to declare their intent with the Business Graduate Coordinator.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

The "common body of knowledge" prerequisites for graduate study in business identified above, plus the following Accounting classes:

Advancement to Candidacy and requirements for the degree are the same as for the MBA.

24 units required:

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

3 units selected from:

3 units selected from:

BADM 693 is to be taken as part of the last 9 units, or during the last semester of the graduate program. Registration in BADM 693 must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator.

MBA course work - Management Information Systems Emphasis

MBA students desiring an emphasis in Management Information Systems are required to declare their intent with the Business Graduate Coordinator.

Prerequisites for admission to Classified Status:

The "common body of knowledge" prerequisites for graduate study in business identified above, plus the following class:

Advancement to Candidacy and requirements for the degree are the same as for the MBA.

24 units required:

6 units selected from:

Any 400/500/600-level MIS courses.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

All MBA students will be required to demonstrate their writing competency. Early on in their program of study, students should check with the Graduate Office in the College of Business in order to establish how this requirement will be met. Specific writing proficiency for the MBA may be demonstrated through successful completion of BADM 638.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 697, 696, 699P, 699T and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the University that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all course work taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all course work taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory each semester for all MBA students. Consult the Graduate Coordinator in the College of Business Graduate Office for specifics.