College of Business Graduate Programs, California State University-Chico in Chico, CA - California State University-Chico in Chico, CA

Academics

The CSU, Chico offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA). Other programs include internships. The strongest areas of study are accounting and management information systems. The most popular course is Management Information Systems.

Thirty total credits are required to complete the MBA. Required courses include:

Management Control Systems
Seminar in Financial Management
Management of People and Organizations
Decision Support Systems
Seminar in Strategic Marketing
Seminar in Strategic Management and Administrative Policy
Operations Planning and Execution

Required courses for the MSA include:

Management Control Systems
Auditing
Strategic Information Systems Management
Decision Support Systems
Seminar in Strategic Management
15 additional units in accounting/management information systems

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 3 semesters; maximum, 5 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 5 semesters; maximum, 5 years.

There are 15 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 9; average business class size is 25.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.75 and a GMAT score of 540. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and management potential. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 97; 44 were accepted; 20 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.2. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, 3 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee, 3 letters of recommendation, a purpose statement, and a resume. Students are notified of the admissions decision on a rolling basis. Once accepted, students may defer admission with permission of the graduate school. Check with the school for current application deadlines and fees.

Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include the Graduate School Equity Fellowship. The standardized form for state or federal aid is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Residents pay no tuition. Nonresidents pay approximately $339 per credit, or $6102 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $6200; books and supplies, $900; personal expenses, $2500; and other fees, $3700, for an estimated annual total of $13,300 for in-state residents and $19,402 for out-of-state residents. Check with the school for current costs. Graduate student housing is not specifically designated on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Forty-eight percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 60% had an average of 4 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students were from California (73%). Thirty-eight percent were women and 25% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 28; ages ranged from 23 to 47. Ten percent entered directly from undergraduate school. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 40%, business; 15%, engineering; 5%, math and science; 5%, social sciences; 3%, economics; and 2%, liberal arts. In a recent year, 35 graduate business degrees were awarded.