Frequently Asked Questions
IS A GMAT OR GRE SCORED REQUIRED FOR THE MBA PROGRAM
Students applying to the MBA Program at CSUSB must meet the Business Aptitude Requirement. There are several available options to meet the Business Aptitude Requirement, which are detailed below. One of the available options is submitting an acceptable GMAT or GRE. score.
Business Aptitude Requirement: Applicants for MBA must meet ONE of the following Business Aptitude requirements:
- 3.20 cumulative GPA from an AACSB-accredited undergraduate business program.
- Minimum two years of post-undergraduate professional and/or managerial (defined as responsibility for scheduling, hiring, firing, evaluating, developing and/or rewarding employees) experience.
- Proof of completion of an accredited graduate degree (e.g. J.D., Ph.D., M.D.) from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the graduate program;
- Submission of an acceptable score on the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
The current acceptable minimum exam scores with a 3.0 GPA:
GMAT score of 470 (minimum 10% on GMAT Verbal Ability and Quantitative Ability percentile rankings) or
GRE score of 298 (minimum 10% on GRE Verbal Ability and Quantitative Ability percentile rankings)
IS THERE A COMP EXAM COURSE REQUIRED?
The MBA Program at CSUSB requires students to take the ADMN 6981 course, which is a comprehensive examination at the end of the program. Information about the comprehensive examination is available here https://www.csusb.edu/mba/current-students/mba-comprehensive-examination
IS A PORTFOLIO COURSE REQUIRED?
The MBA Program at CSUSB requires students to take the ADMN 6980 MBA Portfolio course. Students will not be graduated without meeting this requirement. Information about the MBA Portfolio is available here https://www.csusb.edu/mba/current-students/mba-portfolio-preview
HOW MANY CONCENTRATION/FOCUS AREA COURSES ARE THERE?
The Traditional MBA Program has 10 available concentrations. A full listing of the available concentrations is available here https://www.csusb.edu/mba/future-students/traditional-mba. The Executive MBA Program does not include concentrations.
HOW MANY CORE COURSES ARE THERE?
Traditional MBA and Executive MBA Programs include 11 required core courses which consist of; 2 foundation courses, 7 essential courses, and 2 culminating experience course.
HOW MANY CLASSES DO I NEED TO TAKE EACH SEMESTER?
Traditional and Executive MBA (In-person): Each student various, on average students enroll in two courses per semester.
Online Executive MBA: Each student is required to take two classes per semester; the first class is taken during the first 6 weeks of the semester and the second class is taken during the second 6 weeks of the semester.
HOW MANY CLASSES CAN I TRANSFER FROM ANOTHER GRADUATE PROGRAM?
Traditional MBA & Executive MBA: A student is able to request up to three (3) courses to be transferred. When transferring course work you will need to provide the transcripts, course descriptions and syllabi. Transfer is not guaranteed and requires Graduate Coordinator and Department Chair approval.
IS THERE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THIS PROGRAM?
For information on financial assistance at CSUSB visit the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website https://www.csusb.edu/financial-aid.
WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION DEADLINES?
Please visit the Due Dates & Deadlines webpage for more information on deadlines https://www.csusb.edu/mba/deadlines.
WHERE DO MY DOCUMENTS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED TO?
All official transcripts must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office. GMAT and GRE Test Scores, letters of recommendations, statement of purpose, and résumés must be submitted to the MBA Office at mba@csusb.edu.
AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT, WHAT OTHER DEPTS. DO I NEED TO CONTACT?
International students work closely with the Center of International Studies and Programs (CISP). The CISP website is available here https://www.csusb.edu/international-education.
IS THERE A NEW STUDENT MBA PROGRAM ORIENTATION?
All students admitted into the MBA Program must attend a New Student MBA Orientation. An invitation to the orientation is sent out to all newly admitted students.
HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY?
Information regarding the commencement ceremonies at CSUSB is available here https://www.csusb.edu/commencement
WHEN I FINISH MY PROGRAM, WHEN DO I RECEIVE MY MBA DIPLOMA?
Your degree is processed by the Registrar Office and mailed to the address listed on the graduation check. It can take between 4 - 6 weeks to receive the diploma after the final grades have posted for the semester.
WHAT IS THE COST FOR THIS PROGRAM?
To view a cost estimate of the programs please visit the Tuition and Fees webpage https://www.csusb.edu/mba/tuition.
HOW LONG DOES THE PROGRAM TAKE?
The amount of time required to complete the MBA program will vary based on the number of courses taken each semester. Below is the average time required to complete each program, based on a student taking two courses per semester. Taking additional courses each semester will reduce the total time required to complete the program.
Traditional MBA Program = 6 semesters.
Executive MBA Program (in-person) = 5 semesters.
Online MBA Program = 22 months.