Master of Business Administration
Frequently Asked Questions: Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Most students finish the degree in two years, taking two courses per term. And yes, you can take the program part time. In fact, that's the default for the MBA, since most students are balancing work and other responsibilities. The program is built with that in mind.
The general MBA can be completed online, on campus in Thousand Oaks or through a hybrid mix.
Three of the four emphasis areas (Finance, Marketing and Sport management) require on-campus attendance for emphasis electives, while the IT emphasis is available fully online. See the curriculum page for more details.
Work comes in a mix of formats: pre-class prep like videos or discussion boards, weekly assignments and group projects where you'll analyze cases and build recommendations with classmates.
Each course runs about 10 hours per week between class time and assignments, so a typical two-course term works out to around 20 hours a week. Classes meet on weeknights whether you're online or on campus.
Most students take two courses per term while working full time.
Yes. The MBA offers four optional emphasis areas:
You can also complete a general MBA without an emphasis if your goals cross disciplines.
Choosing an emphasis adds four targeted electives to your coursework, on top of the core MBA curriculum, so you’ll complete 45 total credits instead of the 39 credits for a general MBA.
Careers & the Cal Lutheran Community
Cal Lutheran MBA students have access to our university-wide Career Services office, which includes career counseling, workshops, interview prep and a job and internship board with over 200 weekly listings from a network of 20,000-plus employer contacts. These resources are available to current students and stay open to alumni.
The School of Management also runs its own networking programs, including the Entrepreneur Speaker Series, the New Venture Fair, the PRiME Competition and Business School on Rails. Beyond formal programs, professors actively introduce students to executives for jobs, internships and advice, and the Steven Dorfman Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship supports students with business ideas they want to develop alongside their coursework.
You can browse our Career Services page or see what events are coming up on our events page.
Cal Lutheran being designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) signifies that we meet specific criteria set by the U.S. Department of Education, primarily that at least 25% of our full-time undergraduate student population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. Being an HSI reflects Cal Lutheran’s broader commitment to diversity and community engagement. We offer a wide range of resources and opportunities, including scholarships, mentorship programs and courses that celebrate Hispanic cultures and heritage. We believe in creating a supportive space where students from all backgrounds can thrive and make lasting connections.
Cal Lutheran warmly welcomes individuals of all faiths and belief systems. Our inclusive community does not require affiliation with any church, religion or religious organization. We embrace diversity in all walks of life, so that every member of our community feels valued and respected.
My question isn’t answered here. Who should I contact?
We’re happy to help you with personal, one-on-one guidance. You can talk to a graduate enrollment specialist via phone at 805-521-9856, or you can email your questions to somgradprograms@callutheran.edu.
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 enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 805-521-9856.
