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California State University, Chico
College of Business

Business Administration MBA

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  • Program Type

    Graduate

  • Delivery Type

    On Campus

Request Information About This Program

An MBA is for anyone who wants to seek out leadership positions in their career and put themselves in leadership positions to positively influence people, processes, and outcomes. Earning an MBA will help you become a more competent, professional, and responsible business person.

In the program, you will learn about the importance of strategic marketing management, corporate leadership and social responsibility, how to manage people and change, and how to effectively utilize data analytics, accounting and finance to reach organizational goals. You will become a more effective leader, improve your decision-making and critical-thinking skills, get a deeper understanding of business and its role in society, and improve your written and oral communication skills.

A group of students working collaboratively at a table with computers and notebooks

Enhancing Learning Through High-Impact Practices

Real-world projects with business clients provide opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, fostering a deeper understanding of business dynamics and challenges.

Specializations and Options

  • Three people sitting together in a business setting with one in front of a laptop

    General MBA

    The general MBA program provides a solid and thorough foundation in business fundamentals from which students can more efficiently and effectively pivot to meet shifting business needs.

  • Three people standing in a circle conversing in a library setting

    Business Analytics (STEM designated)

    The MBA in Business Analytics is STEM-designated and provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for fact-based decision-making using business analytics techniques and globally recognized Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software by SAP.

  • Three people holding awards at a college of business event

    Project Management

    Students who complete an appropriate series of courses within this emphasis are prepared to sit for the Project Management Institute’s (PMI), CAPM or PMP certification exam. It’s great option for many careers, including those in engineering and construction management.

Advancing Your Career

About 91% of Chico State MBA students go on to be employed in a career-oriented position after graduation. Many have become renowned entrepreneurs and business owners, chief information officers, higher education instructors and administrators, technology executives, project managers, directors of medical staff, and vice presidents of health services. Additionally, our graduates often pursue careers as financial analysts, management consultants, SAP consultants, and executive directors of nonprofit agencies.

Outside view of Glenn hall with colorful trees

Top-of-the-line technology

As one of only two SAP hosting centers in the United States, our MBA students have free, direct access to more than $1 million worth of business software like SAP to gain experience in the highly sought areas of business process integration, systems configuration, and data analytics.

“
The Chico State MBA program offers attentive, available teachers with curriculum that is completely updated with the market today.
David Gross (MA, Business Administration, ‘24)

Stand Out in a Competitive Market

Earn an affordable, highly ranked degree in under two years and take the next steps toward your dream job.

  • Student studying in the business student success center.

    AACSB Accredited

    The College of Business is among just 15 percent of all business schools worldwide that meet the high accreditation standards set by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business( AACSB International). We are recognized as a leader in teaching excellence, practical research, and student job readiness.

  • Group of students in business attire pose for photo

    Network with Other Professionals

    Take a single three, five or six-week class at a time in a cohort-based environment. The format provides focus, consistency and bonding with peers, and the delivery efficiency and effectiveness cherished by working professionals with little time on their hands.

Group of students receiving instruction for the ropes course.

Active Student Community

All MBA students are a part of the Graduate Business Association, a student-led organization that provides peer support and hosts speakers, workshops, and networking events to help you achieve your dream job. Because curriculum is centered around team projects, many of our students note that they have made lifelong friends.

Additional Information

Welcome to the next phase of your academic and professional journey. Where your potential is reached and your goals are realized. Prepare to take the lead and make your mark with an MBA from Chico State.

All prospective students must first apply for graduate admissions through Cal State Apply. Supplementary materials will either be collected electronically via Cal State Apply or sent directly to the program department.

Application Deadlines
Fall: April 29 (April 1 for international applicants)
Spring: November 1 (October 10 for international applicants)

Supplemental Materials
One letter of recommendation
Statement of purpose
Resume
Preference for 3.0 GPA

Jenn Duggan, program coordinator
jduggan@csuchico.edu
530-898-4480

Graduate students can qualify for traditional financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

Scholarship Opportunities

Our in-person MBA program is one of the only CSUs that funds MBA scholarships through the College of Business. We offer an Academic Excellence Scholarship (3.5 UGRD or higher and available to international and domestic students, a North State Initiative Scholarship (3.3 GPA and designed to reward and support outstanding students who can show that they are residents of one of these counties: Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity and Yuba counties, and the Building Bridges Scholarship (3.0 GPA and designed to financially support underrepresented groups and encourage underrepresented students to earn an MBA degree. There is no additional application. To apply, students indicate their interest in their statement of purpose.

Students without an undergraduate degree in business can take prerequisite coursework and modules to prepare them for MBA coursework. Completion of prerequisites is not required prior to applying for and starting the program.

Our AACSB-accredited MBA program offers a 30-unit general MBA and three specialized options that are 33–36 units. We work individually with each student to create a program plan which fits with your plans and how quickly (or slowly) you would like to complete the

MBA. Many students complete the MBA in as few as three semesters, most finishing their general MBA degree in about two years. Specializations may take 2–3 years.

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