Quick Facts
Duration: Two years, on average
Starts: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Class schedule: Weeknight classes available
Formats: On campus, online, hybrid
On-campus options: Thousand Oaks, Oxnard
Fast-track your business career with an MBA from California Lutheran University. Our two-year business administration program efficiently and effectively guides you on your path to business expertise. We provide an in-depth understanding of business fundamentals, while you focus your passion on the areas of study that interests you most.
Students from around the world come to pursue their MBAs at our outstanding Southern California location, where we combine the unique perspectives of California’s influential market with an international business view. This combination deepens your global business knowledge while connecting you to influential networks within our regional community. See the MBA curriculum.
MBA Program Features
- Choose from online, on-campus and hybrid options: Whether you prefer an in-person classroom environment, the convenience of online learning or a blend of both, our program provides learning modalities that meet your needs.
- Flexibility: Our MBA program is compatible with the busy schedules of working professionals. It’s your choice whether to attend part-time or full-time. Most classes take place in the evenings, and you can start the program during any term.
- Take your learning outside the classroom and build your network. The Cal Lutheran MBA incorporates hands-on experiences, such as consulting projects and internships, as well as chances to study abroad and attend events where you can meet community leaders.
- Small class sizes and personal attention. With classes of just 15 students on average, you have the space to genuinely connect with instructors and peers. This setting enables our highly qualified instructors to provide you with personalized attention and share valuable insights based on their extensive industry experience.
“The business program is so well-rounded — you learn everything from marketing to finance to consulting to management leadership, all the key elements that are needed to run a successful business.”
Customization Options: MBA Emphasis Areas
You can work toward a general MBA or choose to earn an MBA with an emphasis area. The emphasis areas are:
Engage with the expansive finance field to prepare yourself for sought-after leadership positions and attractive salaries. This emphasis area enhances your understanding of budgeting, forecasting, analysis and more. You’ll also gain insights into pricing, global expansion strategies, mergers and acquisitions, treasury functions and more.
Emphasis electives options:
- Financial Strategy
- Strategic Financial Analysis
- Investment and Portfolio Management
- Real Estate Investments
- Buyouts and Acquisitions
- Behavioral Finance
- Innovations in Financial Technology
- Entrepreneurial Finance
- International Finance
- Advanced Analytics
Prepare for upper-level management roles with a combined focus on traditional management and technological innovation. This emphasis area focuses on the use of techniques to frame, analyze and solve business challenges. The coursework is grounded in evidence-based management, data analytics, database management and programming principles.
Emphasis electives options:
- Data Management
- Project Management
- IT Strategy and Business Value
- Healthcare Information Technologies
- Enterprise Systems
- IT Architecture and Infrastructure
- Emergent Technologies and Issues
- Special Topics in IT
- Innovations in Financial Technology
- Advanced Analytics
Enhance your marketing expertise with courses designed for current and aspiring marketing professionals. Covering essential topics like sales, advertising, digital marketing and brand management, this emphasis area is geared toward elevating your career and personal development.
Emphasis electives options:
- CRM in the Digital Age
- Sales Management
- Strategic Public Relations
- Strategic Brand Management
- Consumer Behavior
- Advertising Management
- Entrepreneurial Marketing and Selling
- International Marketing
- Advanced Analytics
- Special Topics in Marketing
Students who choose the MBA with an emphasis area have the option to take some courses online. However, they must complete all emphasis courses on campus at Thousand Oaks. General MBA students can complete all courses online, on campus or through a hybrid approach. See the MBA curriculum page for more details.
What Can You Do With a Business Degree?
Cal Lutheran’s School of Management is committed to helping our students discover and strengthen their sense of purpose while preparing them to bring their skills and talents to the world.
Graduates of our MBA program work for leading employers locally in Ventura County, regionally in California and across the country:
- Amgen
- Bank of America
- Anthem, Inc.
- Wells Fargo
- Baxter International Inc.
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- County of Ventura
- Merrill Lynch
- Farmers Insurance
- Ameriprise Financial Services
- PennyMac Loan Services
- Northrop Grumman
- Verizon
- Kaiser Permanente
- J.D. Power
- The Walt Disney Company
- US Navy
- General Motors
- Raytheon
- Blue Shield of California
- and many, many more.
Throughout the year, the School of Management engages in unique events where students learn about new ideas and forge new relationships within a powerful and lively business community. These include:
- Entrepreneur Speaker Series – an opportunity for current and aspiring business leaders to network and learn from experienced entrepreneurs
- New Venture Fair – a chance for students to pitch their business ideas to a panel of expert entrepreneurs
- PRiME Competition – a competitive showcase where students share projects that support global sustainable development goals
If you’re currently an undergraduate at Cal Lutheran, find out how you can take MBA courses during your senior year.
Ready to learn more? Download our brochure, and explore our curriculum page, admissions page and FAQ page.
Request Information
To learn more about the Graduate Degree Programs offered by the Cal Lutheran School of Management and download a brochure, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an admission counselor directly by calling us at 866-944-8289.