Master of Business Administration - Early Career
Program Description
The Early Career MBA program is for recent college graduates who want an accelerated opportunity to build four important drivers of initial career success - business knowledge, real-world experience, personal network, and purpose.
The Early Career MBA program consists of 36 units of core courses that have been selected to effectively prepare recent graduates to successfully launch their professional careers. Included in these core courses is a 3-unit Field Experience where teams of students work with a company executive to analyze, strategize, and solve a live business challenge.
The Fermanian School of Business Early Career MBA program is committed to serving all MBA students with the best value in quality, academic rigor, professional support services, and individual attention to assist students in meeting their academic and professional goals.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Program Learning Outcomes
Candidates who complete the Master of Business Administration program will be able to:
- Exhibit mastery of the concepts, models, and theories in the core business disciplines.
- Integrate knowledge across core business disciplines to identify key strategies and opportunities.
- Analyze business issues and propose solutions using analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Analyze the ethical impacts of executive-level decision-making.
- Present ideas and decisions clearly through effective communication.
- Collaborate with others as an effective team member.
Program Eligibility for the Early Career MBA
- A completed application for admission to the program
- A recently earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution as evidenced by official transcripts from the accredited institution(s)
- Two (2) references with contact information and relationship to the applicant
- Resume
- A personal essay that describes why the applicant desires to participate in the Early Career MBA program and a description of the applicant’s future goals
- Interview with the Assistant Dean of Graduate Business Education
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| BUS 6000 | Foundations for Graduate School | 0 |
| BUS 6015 | Accounting for Decision Making | 3 |
| BUS 6025 | Applied Data Analysis and Visualization | 3 |
| BUS 6030 | Economic Environment of Business | 3 |
| BUS 6049 | Leading with Ethics, Integrity, and Purpose | 3 |
| BUS 6050 | Operational Excellence | 3 |
| BUS 6055 | Strategic Marketing for Impact | 3 |
| BUS 6060 | Managing in a Changing Environment | 3 |
| BUS 6063 | Team Leadership and Collaboration | 3 |
| BUS 6065 | Professional Communication | 3 |
| BUS 6070 | Financial Management | 3 |
| BUS 6080 | Field Experience | 3 |
| BUS 6095 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| BUS 6099 | Comprehensive Exit Exam | 0 |
| Total Units | 36 | |
Additional Concentrations
Early Career MBA students may earn a concentration by taking the nine (9) required units for each concentration below. Students must notify the program director prior to the completion of the 36 units in their current program of their intention to earn an additional concentration, with a subsequent change of program form filed with the Office of Records.
Once a degree is posted, MBA alumni have the option of earning a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration rather than an additional concentration.
Global Business and Leadership Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| BUS 6035 | Global Business and Leadership | 3 |
| BUS 6036 | International Trip 1 | 3 |
| BUS 6062 | Diversity and Cultural Dynamics | 3 |
| Total Units | 9 | |
- 1
Please be advised that this course is subject to a minimum number of enrollments required for it to be offered. In the event that the minimum enrollment is not met, the course may be canceled. Also, participants should be aware that there may be additional out-of-pocket expenses associated with travel or other off-site activities related to this course. These expenses are not included in the regular tuition fees and will be the responsibility of the individual participants.
Organizational Leadership Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| BUS 6010 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| BUS 6045 | Leadership Theory and Application | 3 |
| Choose one (1) course from the following: | 3 | |
| Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | ||
| Team Leadership and Collaboration | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Total Units | 9 | |
Project Management Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| BUS 6063 | Team Leadership and Collaboration | 3 |
| BUS 6067 | Agile Project Management | 3 |
| BUS 6068 | Project Management Risk, Cost, and Program Analysis | 3 |
| Total Units | 9 | |
Sport Management Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| Choose three (3) courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Managing Personnel, Facilities, and Events in Sports | ||
| Marketing, Promotion, and Public Relations in Sports | ||
| Leadership in Sports | ||
| Finance and Economics in Sports | ||
| Total Units | 9 | |
Graduation Requirements
In order to earn and receive a Master of Business Administration - Early Career degree, a student must satisfy all of the following:
- A completed Application for Degree Candidacy (online or in the Office of Records, Point Loma campus).
- Successful completion of all required curriculum with a minimum of 36 semester units of coursework.
- Achievement of a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher. A student may earn a maximum of six units of “C” grades in the program. Any course in which a student receives a grade lower than a “C” must be repeated, and the units will not be added to earned units. Students may repeat courses in which they earn a grade lower than “C” a maximum of two times.
- Payment in full of all tuition, fees, and other financial obligations owed to the university, including a degree processing fee.
- All requirements for graduate degrees must be completed within an eight-year period from the time of initial enrollment in the program.