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. The MBA program has a campus-based program and a fully online program.

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30-33 units

Continuous enrollment is required. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework.  This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Regional and Continuing Education.

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 the following courses with a C or higher:

The prerequisite courses can often be substituted with equivalent courses from other universities. For more information about substitutions, students should contact Business Student Advising or the Graduate Coordinator.

Students with a non-business baccalaureate are encouraged to consider pursuing an MBA.

Students without an undergraduate business degree have a choice to take the six prerequisites as campus-based courses, or can fulfill the ECON 103, FINA 307, MATH 105/108, and MKTG 305 requirements by enrolling in an approved, online, self-paced set of modules. Details about fulfilling these four prerequisite courses with the self-paced modules are available on the MBA Program website or by contacting Business Student Advising or the Graduate Coordinator.

Business Student Advising and the Graduate Coordinator will determine whether unmet prerequisites remain, and how to best fulfill the prerequisite requirements.

There are two basic ways to complete the prerequisites. Students who meet entrance requirements but lack the prerequisites may be admitted as "conditionally classified" in the MBA program while they take the necessary prerequisite courses. Alternatively, students may choose to complete most or all of the prerequisites, here or elsewhere, prior to admission to the program. Consult Business Student Advising or the Graduate Coordinator to determine which option will best meet your needs and which prerequisites you may have already completed.

Required Academic Leveling Courses

All admitted students are required to complete a series of academic leveling courses. The leveling courses ensure that students have the basic knowledge necessary prior to enrolling in 600-level courses. The academic leveling courses are fulfilled through a series of self-paced, online modules. Details about the academic leveling courses are available on the MBA Program website or from Business Student Advising.

For students without an undergraduate business degree, the leveling courses can simultaneously fulfill some of the prerequisite requirements and the academic leveling requirement.

Waiver of the academic leveling requirement

Students may waive the leveling requirement if they have completed all the required prerequisite courses within the prior two years and earned a C or higher in each course. Waiver of prerequisites and the leveling requirement is subject to approval by Business Student Advising or the Graduate Coordinator.

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:

1. The motivation to pursue graduate study in business and the potential to achieve a management position as evidenced in a written statement of purpose;
2. 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.);
3. Aptitude for business graduate education, as indicated by scores on the GMAT or GRE;
4. 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 applicant's resume, statement of purpose, and 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 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 Business Student Advising or 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 at least 30 units of course work.

1. At least 24 units must be 600-level.
2. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Regional and Continuing Education. (Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer).
3. 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).

2. The culminating activity requirement for all MBA options is met by the successful completion of BADM 693 "Seminar in Strategic Management and Administrative Policy".

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

24 units required:

BADM 693 is to be taken as part of the last 9 units, or during the last semester of the graduate program.

6 units selected from:

Any 400/500/600-level business courses. Courses in other colleges of the University may be substituted if approved by the Graduate Coordinator. Graduate Students enrolled in 400/500-level courses must earn a C- or higher for the course to count toward the degree.

The Option in Enterprise Information Systems

MBA students should declare the Enterprise Information System (EIS) option with Business Student Advising. Students that pursue this option must meet the MBA prerequisite requirements.

Students following this option abide by the same policies guiding the MBA degree. Advancement to Candidacy and the core required set of courses are the same as for the MBA degree. Students must complete the 24 units of required MBA courses. In addition to the 24 units of required MBA courses, students in the EIS option must complete an additional 9 units.

Prerequisites for admission to Classified Status:

The prerequisites for graduate study in business identified above, plus the following 2 courses:

Requirements for the MBA with an Option in Enterprise Information Systems

2 courses required:

3 units selected from:

The Option in Project Management

MBA students should declare the project management option with Business Student Advising. Students with an undergraduate project management emphasis should not enroll in this option. Students that pursue this option must meet the MBA prerequisite requirements.

Students following this option abide by the same policies guiding the MBA degree. Advancement to Candidacy and the core required set of courses are the same as for the MBA degree. Students must complete the 24 units of required MBA courses. In addition to the 24 units of required MBA courses, students in the project management option must complete an additional 9 units.

Requirements for the MBA with an Option in Project Management

2 courses required:

3 units selected from:

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

All MBA students will be required to demonstrate their writing competency. Writing proficiency for the MBA must be demonstrated through successful completion of MGMT 647.

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.

Students whose grade point average falls below 3.0 will be put on academic probation and after one additional semester without improvement may be disqualified from the program.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

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