Business Administration (MBA) - Campus-Based or Online

Is the MBA for you?

Do any of the following describe you?

• Interested in developing your managerial and decision-making skills.
• Looking for the flexibility to pursue a general or specialized business
  curriculum.
• Want to advance your career or make a career change.
• Dream of starting your own business.
• Want to continue your personal and professional growth.
• Enjoy learning in a team-based, hands-on environment.

Do these jobs sound interesting to you?

Our alumni are:

• Renowned entrepreneurs and business owners
• Chief information officers
• Higher education instructors/administrators
• Technology executives
• Project Manager
• Director of Medical Staff
• VP of Health Services

Other possibilities are:

• Financial analysts
• Management consultants
• SAP consultants
• Executive directors of nonprofit agencies

Is this the kind of salary you are seeking?

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the following outlook for Project Management Specialists(opens in new window):

Median Pay
$102,450 per year
$45.43 per hour

Job Outlook

• Across management functions: 8% (faster than average)
• Enterprise Information Systems (EIS): 16% (much faster than average)
• Health Service Administration (HSA): 28% (much faster than average)
• Project Management: 7% (as fast as average)

Environment
Project management specialists usually work in an office setting, but they occasionally travel to visit clients. Workers in these occupations establish plans and policies, direct business activities, and oversee people, products, and services. Most work full-time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

What if my bachelor’s isn’t in business?

We strongly recommend students without undergraduate business degrees pursue an MBA! A graduate degree in business can complement nearly every major, and a diversity of academic backgrounds creates a very rich learning environment in our program. Combining your undergraduate degree with a business graduate degree is a winning combination.

We do have prerequisites for those without a foundation in business courses, but most of them can be completed using our online modules, which are designed to quickly bring you up to speed on the various business courses. You do not need to complete your prerequisites before applying or enrolling in our program, and we will work with you on a class schedule to ensure your rapid completion of the MBA degree, even with some prerequisites.

We would be happy to review your academic and professional background to determine if you need to take prerequisite courses and how you can quickly complete them.

How long will it take?

• 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.

Small Class Sizes

• Outstanding faculty and small class sizes provide a high-quality learning environment with practical hands-on skills.
• Individualized course planning allows students complete the program in the timeframe that best suits them.

Multiple Specializations

• Dedicated MBA director and advisor available through the program to answer any questions related to the program.
• Specializations in project management, enterprise information systems (EIS), and Health Services Administration (HSA). Each prepares students for industry certifications such as the CAPM and PMP for project management and SAP TS410 for EIS.

Ideal for Working Professionals

• The EIS MBA is a STEM designated degree allowing international students to take advantage of full three-year OPT after graduation.
• Ideal for working professionals as courses are taught in the evenings with a face-to-face format to promote deep connections with your peers and faculty.
• The online MBA program provides a rigorous, problem-based learning environment that is designed to fit into your busy life.

Founding a Biotech Company

MBA alum John Aylworth founded Xytogen, a biotech company producing regenerative serums and therapies, and moved it to Chico to become “a local landing spot for research-minded Chico State grads” from various disciplines.

Comprehensive Consulting

MBA students Brenden Coakley and Barbara Johnson had the opportunity to be part of a team capstone project involving a comprehensive consulting experience with an actual business client culminating in oral presentation to the client of recommendations which are now being implemented. Past projects include Enloe Hospital, Build.com, Sendum Technologies, and others.