MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 
College of Business
Graduate Management Programs,
Business Bldg. (03), Room 107
805 756-2637

Programs in:
Master of Business Administration
MBA, Specialization in Agribusiness
MBA, Architectural Management Track

General Characteristics

The Cal Poly MBA program is designed to prepare students to enter successful management positions of high responsibility. The program is based on the recognition that future business leaders must function in an environment (a) that places more emphasis on technology, (b) that is facing more globalization in markets and organizations, and (c) that is placing increased importance on societal factors such as pollution, equal rights, ethical behavior and corporate citizenship. The primary objectives of the MBA program are:

   To provide students with a broad-based understanding of fundamental concepts, principles and practices in multiple business disciplines;

   To instill in students an integrated understanding of business dynamics for effective responses to the changing global business environment;

   To help the students acquire skills in formulating, analyzing and implementing significant business decisions; and

   To develop in students the skills that are necessary to work with other people in effective organizations in a changing global environment.

Prerequisites

With the exception of prior background in quantitative analysis, there are no specific prerequisite courses for the MBA program. See the MBA curriculum for details.

Admission to the MBA Program:

Admission to the MBA program is based upon:

a)  Successful completion of an accredited undergraduate program of study;

b)  The student's undergraduate record, with particular emphasis placed on performance during the last 90 units (or equivalent);

c)  Achievement on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT); and

d)  Prior work experience.

 

Program of Study

The MBA program entails a two-year program of graduate work. The first year of the program offers students an integrated understanding of concepts and tools of the various business disciplines. The courses offered contain material that is commonly referred to as the core of business knowledge. The first year provides a collaborative learning environment in which future business managers can acquire basic knowledge and skills in all business disciplines. Ethical and international business issues are specifically addressed in many courses.

The second year of the program consists primarily of elective courses. This structure is based on the belief that people learn best when their past experiences and training can be made an integral part of the learning process. Various sequences of elective courses are offered to allow students to specialize in particular fields. Students are also permitted to develop their own sequences of elective courses. Because the intent is to provide the training and education necessary for the MBA graduate to be successful, the second year elective sequences undergo continuous review for currency and relevance. Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive examination (incorporated into GSB 562) is a requirement of the MBA program.

Students are encouraged to challenge first-year GSB courses based on their previous work.

FIRST YEAR, MBA

Units

Fall

16

GSB 511 Financial Accounting (4)

 

GSB 512 Quantitative Analysis (4)

 

GSB 513 Organization Behavior (4)

 

GSB 524 Marketing Management (4)

 

Winter

16

GSB 521 Managerial Accounting (4)

 

GSB 522 Management Science (4)

 

GSB 523 Managerial Economics (4)

 

GSB 514 Business, Government and Society (4)

 

Spring

16

GSB 531 Managerial Finance (4)

 

GSB 532 Information Systems (4)

 

GSB 533 Aggregate Economics (4)

 

GSB 534 Production and Operations Mgmt. (4)

 

 

SECOND YEAR, MBA

Students must select from: GSB 578, GSB 587, BUS 490, ECON 401, MKTG 401, or AGB 563 to satisfy one of the following four-unit GSB electives

As a policy, MBA students will not be permitted to take more than two classes at the 400 level.

Fall

16

GSB Electives (16)

 

Winter

16

GSB Electives (16)

 

Spring

16

GSB 562 Business Strategy and Policy (4)

 

GSB Electives (12)

 

 

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MBA, SPECIALIZATION IN AGRIBUSINESS

This specialization is offered in conjunction with the Agribusiness Department, College of Agriculture. It requires the completion of six graduate courses taught by the Agribusiness Department. These courses are taken in lieu of electives in the MBA program. Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive examination is required. The MBA Agribusiness Specialization is designed for those interested in agribusiness management careers. Graduates will be prepared for large farm and ranch management as well as for positions in supporting agribusiness industries such as commodity marketing or food processing.  Students are encouraged to challenge first-year GSB courses based on their previous work.

 

FIRST YEAR, MBA Specialization in Agribusiness

Units

 

Fall

16

 

GSB 511 Financial Accounting (4)

 

 

GSB 512 Quantitative Analysis (4)

 

 

GSB 513 Organization Behavior (4)

 

 

AGB 514 Agribusiness Managerial Leadership and Communication (4)

 

 

Winter

16

 

GSB 521 Managerial Accounting (4)

 

 

GSB 522 Management Science (4)

 

 

GSB 523 Managerial Economics (4)

 

 

GSB 514 Business, Government and Society (4)

 

 

Spring

16

 

GSB 531 Managerial Finance (4)

 

 

GSB 532 Information Systems (4)

 

 

GSB 533 Aggregate Economics (4)

 

 

GSB 534 Production and Operations Mgmt. (4)

 

 

Summer

4

 

GSB 539 Graduate Internship in Agriculture (4)

 

 

SECOND YEAR, MBA Specialization in Agribusiness

Students must select from:  GSB 578, BUS 490, ECON 401, MKTG 401, or AGB 563 to satisfy one of the following four-unit GSB electives.

As a policy, students will not be permitted to take more than two classes at the 400-level.

 

Fall

16

GSB 524 Marketing Management (4)

 

AGB 543 Ag. Policy and Program Analysis (4)

 

GSB electives (8)

 

Winter

16

AGB 554 Managing Price Risk in Agribusiness (4)

 

AG 539 Graduate Internship in Agriculture (4)

 

AGB 555 Technological and Economic Change in Agribusiness (4)

 

GSB elective (4)

 

Spring

16

GSB 562 Business Strategy and Policy (4)

 

AGB 563 International Agricultural Trade and Market Development (4)

 

GSB electives (8)

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ARCHITECTURAL MANAGEMENT TRACK

This program is available only to those students who are enrolled in Cal Poly's College of Architecture program. Students who fulfill all the requirements will first receive the Bachelor of Architecture and then the MBA. During the fifth year of the architecture program, students who have been admitted to this program are allowed to take GSB courses as outlined below. By April 15th of the 5th year, students must formally apply for admission to the MBA program. Acceptance to the MBA program is conditional upon the successful completion of the fifth year.

 

FIFTH YEAR ARCHITECTURE/FIRST YEAR MBA

Units

Fall

17

1  ARCH 481 Design Lab (5)

 

GSB 511 Financial Accounting (4)

 

GSB 512 Quantitative Analysis (4)

 

GSB 513 Organizational Behavior (4)

 

Winter

17

1  ARCH 481 Design Lab (5)

 

GSB 521 Managerial Accounting (4)

 

GSB 522 Managerial Science (4)

 

GSB 523 Managerial Economics (4)

 

Spring

17

1  ARCH 481 Design Lab (5)

 

GSB 531 Managerial Finance (4)

 

GSB 532 Information Systems (4)

 

GSB 534 Production and Operations Management (4)

 

_____

 

1  Or adviser approved electives.

 

SIXTH YEAR ARCHITECTURE/SECOND YEAR MBA

Fall

16

GSB 524 Marketing Management (4)

 

GSB electives (8)

 

GSB or ARCH elective (4)

 

Winter

16

GSB 514 Business, Government and Society (4)

 

GSB electives (8)

 

GSB or ARCH elective (4)

 

Spring

16

GSB 533 Aggregate Economics (4)

 

GSB 562 Business Strategy and Policy (4)

 

GSB electives (8)

 

 

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