The Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business recently redesigned its Master of Business Administration program to give students more flexibility and allow current students the option of getting a “fast track” start while they are still undergraduates.
California Baptist University’s Master of Business Administration fast track program allows undergraduate seniors in their last semester to take their first two MBA courses prior to their graduation.
Students pursuing their MBA in one year devote at least 30 hours per week to the program. It is not designed for someone with a full-time job. In general students who are working full time should take the two-year option.
“I would recommend the program to anyone interested in getting a head start on their MBA.,” said Aaron Christopher, assistant dean of graduate business programs. “I’ve never met someone who regrets getting or waiting to get their MBA. Several students see it as an advantage to get their MBA in five years and then they are done with college for the rest of their business career.”
Christopher said the ultimate goal for the fast-track MBA is to equip students with the skills they need to start and manage businesses with an understanding of multiple disciplines and a solid ethical framework rooted in biblical principles.
CBU has offered an MBA for 15 years, and during that time students have varied in their time to complete the program. The fast-track option began last fall.
“The MBA is invaluable,” Christopher said. “Increasingly, employers are looking for additional skills and knowledge beyond the undergraduate degree. The ideal candidate for the program is motivated and enthusiastic about taking his or her career to the next level. Employers across the community who have hired our graduates routinely recognize the value our graduates offer to their organizations.”
CBU graduates have moved into business leadership positions all over the world. Some work for large Fortune 500 companies or have started their own private businesses. Other graduates have gone into ministry and missionary work overseas.
Students questioning whether or not they should enter either the MBA program or the fast track should consider what their long-term objectives are.
“I see great value in obtaining an undergraduate degree in a different area or skill, such as kinesiology, and get an MBA to run a business in that area,” Christopher said.
Christopher added that the ideal MBA candidate has to be enthusiastic, hard-working, interested in changing the world for the good, motivated to be successful by a number of different areas and sees the purpose of business as more than generating profit.
There are currently two MBA options offered at CBU, one in management and the other in accounting.
“CBU is currently looking forward to adding additional concentrations in the future,” Christopher said.
Doris Tran, current MBA student, said, “The MBA program is an excellent program and the only thing that may get exhausting is putting in the time to get work done, but that’s how it is with anything you want in life, you have to work for it.”
Students who are interested should contact graduate admissions at graduateadmissions@calbaptist.edu to reserve a spot in the next Master in Business Administration information session.
The next seminar will be held in the second-floor conference room of the Business Building on Feb. 12 at 6 p.m.
