Program Overview

Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Cal Poly's Orfalea College of Business is designed to develop business leaders who thrive in both technical and people-centered environments. The program fosters independent, collaborative, and innovative thinkers through a supportive, intellectually rigorous setting.

Program Overview

The MBA program is grounded in Cal Poly's Learn by Doing philosophy, which prepares students for a seamless transition into impactful, real-world business leadership. The program features a strong foundation in experiential learning, allowing students to sharpen their skills and unlock their potential.

Curriculum

The MBA curriculum consists of 60 units, which can be completed in two years. The program includes a combination of core courses and electives, which provide students with a comprehensive understanding of business principles and practices.

Core Courses

The core courses are the backbone of the program and include:

• Accounting for Managers (4 units)
• Quantitative Analysis (4 units)
• Organizational Behavior (4 units)
• Managerial Economics (4 units)
• Marketing Management (4 units)
• Managerial Finance (4 units)
• Aggregate Economic Analysis & Policy (4 units)
• Lean Operations Management (4 units)
• Seminar in General Management and Strategy (4 units)

Electives

Students can choose from a variety of electives to deepen their knowledge in specific areas, including:

• Data Visualization and Communication in Business (4 units)
• The Legal and Regulatory Environment of Business (4 units)
• Data Management for Business Analytics (4 units)
• Project Management (4 units)
• Effective Communication Skills for Managers (4 units)
• Data Analytics & Mining for Business (4 units)
• Negotiation (4 units)
• Entrepreneurship and New Venture Mgmt (4 units)
• Human Resource Management (4 units)
• Managing Change (4 units)

Admission Criteria

The MBA program admits students only in the fall term, which begins in mid-August. While there is no specific undergraduate degree required for admission, applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 are strongly encouraged to submit GRE or GMAT scores.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to qualified individuals, including MBA Access Grants, which provide need-based financial aid to both new and continuing MBA students. Additionally, continuing MBA students can apply for several scholarships, such as the APWA Herbert E. Gerfen Scholarship and the James R. Landreth Cal Poly VP Emeritus and Esther A. Landreth Scholarship.

Program Structure

Courses are offered face-to-face during daytime hours, typically on Monday through Thursday, with Fridays reserved for team projects, guest speakers, career services, and other extracurricular pursuits. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of business principles and practices, as well as the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in a supportive and intellectually rigorous environment.