Mar 28, 2024  
University Catalog 2019-2020 
    
University Catalog 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Business Administration, M.S.


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The Master of Science in Business Administration (M.S. B.A.) is a specialized degree program that enables study and research in one of the following concentrations: Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, Leadership and Management, Marketing, New Venture Management, Real Estate, Supply Chain Management, or a customized option within business administration with advisor approval. The program is appropriate for students who will seek careers as specialized professionals, business analysts or consultants, or who intend to pursue further graduate study (D.B.A. or Ph.D.) in business administration. The program has two tracks: the Main track and the One-plus-one track. The one-plus-one track allows students who have completed one year of graduate business studies at another institution to complete the second year at Cal State LA and earn the M.S. Business Administration degree.

M.S. Business Administration Main Track


Admission to the Program

To be admitted to the program, students must fulfill university requirements for admission to graduate study and college admission requirements for the M.S. B.A. Program. Applicants are admitted based on a comprehensive review of their work experience, prior education, GMAT or GRE scores, and two letters of recommendation. Applicants who document 5 years of significant work experience in a managerial or professional role, or who have completed at least 9 units of graduate-level courses in business administration within the past 5 years with a grade point average of 3.0 or better may request a waiver of the GMAT or GRE requirement. In addition to the university application, applicants must submit a separate graduate program application to the College of Business and Economics.

Foundations of Business (9 units)


All students must complete with a grade of “B” or better BUS 5000 Foundations of Business Administration (9 units) prior to taking M.S. B.A. courses.

Requirements for the Degree (33 units)


In addition to meeting the foundation requirement, a total of 33 units of 5000-level courses is required for the degree. The university also requires demonstration of writing proficiency by passing the writing proficiency examination; students should enroll in UNIV 4000 (0 units) within the first two semesters of study, or successful petition to waive the writing examination within University policy.

Thesis (3 units)


Concentrations (15 additional units)


Students should select a concentration and 15 units of courses with advisor approval. In addition to the courses listed below, students may take two 3-unit BUS 5980 Graduate Directed Studies with advisor approval.

Customized Concentration (15 Units)


Select courses with advisor approval.

One-plus-one Track


This program track is designed for students who have already completed one year of graduate business coursework (at least 18 semester units) at another institution and who wish to finish a graduate business degree at Cal State LA.  

Admission to the Program

Applicants are admitted based on their prior graduate academic work and two letters of recommendation from faculty and/or administrators at the institution in which the student completed the first year of graduate business study.   Applicants are expected to have completed all foundations or pre-requisite courses and have a grade point average of at least 3.0 in all graduate business courses completed at the first institution.  In addition to meeting University requirements for admission to graduate study, applicants must submit a separate graduate program application to the College of Business and Economics.

Requirements for the Degree (30 units)


One-plus-one track students will normally transfer up to 9 semester units of graduate coursework from the first institution to Cal State LA after being enrolled in the MS Business Administration program.  A total of 30 units is required for the degree, of which no more than 9 units shall correspond to transfer courses. Transfer courses must meet all University and College requirements, and the College reserves the right to deny any transfer request that does not meet standards.  The University also requires demonstration of writing proficiency by enrollment in and passing UNIV 4000 Writing Proficiency Examination (0) within the first two semesters of study, or successful petition to waive the writing examination within University policy

Required Courses and Electives (18 to 27 Units)


One-plus-one track students should meet with a graduate advisor to approve transfer courses and select, with advisor approval, 18 to 27 units of 5000-level coursework from among the BUS and Business and Economics functional department courses, including but not limited to the following courses:

Thesis (3 Units)


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