Business Administration MBA
Total Units Required: 30-33
The goal of the MBA program is to prepare students 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.
More information about College of Business programs, with helpful advising information for first-year and transfer students, is available by contacting
Business Student Advising and Services
Glenn Hall 321
530-898-4480
Email: businessadvisor@csuchico.edu
Advising Requirement
Advising is mandatory for this program. Consult your department advisor or program coordinator for information.
Requirements for the Master of Business Administration
Completion of all requirements as established by the College of Business Graduate Committee, the Graduate Coordinator, and Graduate Studies to include:
- Completion of an approved program consisting of at least 30 units of coursework.
- At least 24 units must be 600-level.
- 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 Professional & Continuing Education. Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer.
- Not more than nine units of Independent Study (697), Directed Internship (689), and Master's Thesis (699); not more than six units of Master's Thesis (699).
- The culminating activity requirement for all MBA options is met by the successful completion of BADM 693.
- Approval by the College of Business Graduate Committee and the Graduate Council on behalf of the faculty of the University.
MBA Coursework
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 615 | Accounting for Managers | 3 |
| BADM 693 | Strategic Management and Decision-Making 1 | 3 |
| BSIS 610 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| FINA 655 | Corporate Finance | 3 |
| MGMT 635 | Managing People, Teams, and Organizations | 3 |
| MGMT 647 | Leadership, Global Ethics, and Corporate Social Responsibility | 3 |
| MKTG 673 | Strategic Marketing and Customer Value | 3 |
| OSCM 607 | Operations Planning and Execution | 3 |
| Select six units from the following: 2 | 6 | |
400/500/600-level business courses | ||
| Total Units | 30 | |
- 1
-
BADM 693 is to be taken as part of the last nine units, or during the last semester of the graduate program.
- 2
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 Business Analytics
MBA students should declare the business analytics option with Business Student Advising. Students who 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 business analytics option must complete an additional 9 units.
Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status
The prerequisites for graduate study in business, plus the following two courses:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MINS 235 | Database Design | 3 |
| MINS 301 | Corporate Technology Integration | 3 |
| Total Units | 6 | |
Requirements for the MBA with an Option in Business Analytics
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BSIS 620 | Strategic Information System Management | 3 |
| MINS 526 | Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing: Design and Development | 3 |
| Select three units from the following: | 3 | |
| Systems Project Management | ||
| Enterprise Resource Planning: Systems Administration | ||
| Enterprise Resource Planning: System Administration 2 | ||
| Database Administration | ||
| Security and Privacy Issues in Information Technology | ||
| Information Storage and Management | ||
| E-Commerce and Cloud Computing in Business | ||
| Special Topics in Management Information Systems | ||
| Directed Internship | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Total Units | 9 | |
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 who 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
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MGMT 644 | Seminar in Project Management | 3 |
| MGMT 645 | Teamwork, Negotiation, and Conflict Resolution | 3 |
| MGMT 646 | Optimizing Project Outcomes with Business Analytics | 3 |
| Total Units | 9 | |
Graduate Grading Requirements
All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Comprehensive Examination - 696, Independent Study - 697, 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 696, 697, 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 coursework taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all coursework taken at Chico State subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses in the approved master's degree program. Failure to maintain a 3.0 average in any category will result in academic notice in the master's program. Failure to remedy the deficiency within one semester with appropriate courses approved by the program coordinator may result in disqualification from the master's program. See Graduate Education Policies for more information.
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 Professional & Continuing Education. Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer.
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 for complete details on general degree requirements.
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.
Prerequisites to Graduate Study in Business
Enrollment in graduate (600-level) MBA courses presupposes completion of the following courses with a C or higher:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 201 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 202 | Introduction to Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| ECON 103 | Principles of Microeconomic Analysis | 3 |
| MATH 108 | Statistics of Business and Economics | 3 |
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 prerequisites as campus-based courses, or can fulfill the ECON 103, MATH 105/MATH 108, and MINS 301 (business analytics option only) requirements by enrolling in an approved, online, self-paced set of modules. Details about fulfilling these 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 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.
Courses completed that are equivalent to the listed prerequisites (ACCT 201, ACCT 202, ECON 103, MATH 108, or equivalents), must be less than 10 years old and students should have earned a C or higher in the course. Prerequisite equivalents completed 10 or more years ago, or where a grade lower than a C was earned, must be retaken. In a rare exception, some dated prerequisites may be waived if the applicant has extensive and current knowledge in a relevant area. For example, the program may waive the two accounting prerequisites for someone who was an accounting major and has been actively working in accounting.
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 10 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
- Satisfactory grade point average as specified in Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements.
- Approval by the department and 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 and for qualities of personal development which promise career success. Specifically, the committee reviews- The motivation to pursue graduate study in business and the potential to achieve a management position as evidenced in a written statement of purpose;
- 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.);
- 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:
- Classified graduate standing and completion at the University of at least nine units of the proposed graduate program.
- Development of an approved program in consultation with Business Student Advising or the Graduate Coordinator.
Definition of Blended Programs
A blended bachelor's and master's degree program combines an existing Chico State bachelor's degree with an existing Chico State master's degree; the blended program allows up to 12 units of the graduate program units to be double-counted at the undergraduate level, for a minimum of 138 units to receive both degrees. Students who complete a blended program will receive both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Upon completion of 120 semester units and with the completion of all requirements for the bachelor's degree, students in blended programs will be awarded the bachelor's degree. Upon completion of the requirements for the master's degree, students will be awarded the master's degree.
Students interested in applying to a blended program must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at Chico State and must meet and maintain the minimum GPA of the existing master's degree entrance requirements for all bachelor's coursework completed at the time of the application to the blended program, or show promise to reach this level as determined by the program. Once admitted to the blended program, students shall not be required to apply for admission to the master's program.
Blended Business Information Systems BS + Business Administration MBA
The blended program allows students to count up to three courses (nine units) toward either the undergraduate business analytics or management information systems option and the MBA business analytics option. Students in the blended program can earn the MBA in as few as two additional semesters. Once accepted into the blended program as an undergraduate, students take up to nine units of courses chosen in consultation with an advisor. Contact Business Student Advising and Services in GLENN 321 for more information.
Eligibility
The blended program is for highly motivated, well-qualified students. The program allows a student to apply after completing 60 units toward their bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Application Procedure
Application deadlines: April 1 for fall start, November 1 for spring start.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria may submit an application for admission to the blended program. Formal application through Cal State Apply is not necessary and the student is not required to pay an application fee. GRE scores are not required. Students must meet the requirements outlined below to change to blended graduate status and continue toward the master's degree.
Grading Requirement
Once in the blended program, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA during their remaining undergraduate and graduate semesters.
Transition to Graduate Status
Students can transition to the graduate program after completing all undergraduate degree requirements with a minimum 2.5 GPA in all coursework. The Office of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Coordinator will verify graduate program eligibility at the end of the semester in which the bachelor's degree is completed. Qualified students change to graduate status effective the following semester.
Requirements for the Blended BS + MBA
Business analytics option: The blended program allows BSIS 460, BSIS 620, and MINS 526 to count toward both degrees.
Management information systems option: The blended program allows BSIS 460, BSIS 620, and MINS 526 to count toward both degrees.