The College of Business Administration offers the MBA degree with an option to earn a Graduate Certificate in International Business. In addition, two dual degree programs are available. Students may apply for separate admission to the Loyola Law School and earn the JD/MBA degree or apply to the Systems Engineering Leadership Program and earn an MBA and an MS in Systems Engineering. There are eight areas of emphasis in the MBA Program. The purpose, admission requirements, program requirements, and options are described in the pages that follow. The traditional MBA Program (MBA) addresses the educational demands of fully-employed persons who recognize the need to continue to build their careers, although full-time enrollment is an option. The Executive MBA (EMBA) is for the experienced business leader who aspires to executive level responsibility.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Loyola Marymount University MBA Program is to provide high quality graduate business education consistent with the Jesuit and Marymount traditions. The MBA Program fosters development of each student’s potential to create value, handle risk, and manage change to serve both business and society. The result is the development of ethical leaders possessing the knowledge and skills to effectively manage organizations in a diverse and global economy.

To accomplish its mission, the MBA Program utilizes faculty who regularly extend the boundaries of their discipline and simultaneously demonstrate in the classroom their ability to translate theory into practice. Although teaching styles and techniques vary, all focus on the current issues and technologies that are forming and shaping the many environments of business (political, social, legal, and ethical). Classes range from those that emphasize computer applications to those that delve into ethical concepts and humanistic management. The MBA curriculum is one of breadth first and specialization second. To that end, the basis of the Program is broad and integrating. Areas of specialization are built on this base. By specializing, students are able to focus some of their studies in a single area of emphasis. Additionally, numerous opportunities exist to explore various aspects of global business. These include a full-fledged International MBA Program of studies and a unique overseas integrative experience. The high quality of the MBA Program is confirmed through its accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Admission Requirements

Eligibility for Admission: Applicants for admission to the Program leading to the degree of Master of Business Administration must have a Bachelor’s degree and an acceptable level of scholarship from an accredited institution of higher learning. The degree may be in any academic discipline.
Application: Applicants should apply and pay the application fee online at http://apply.embark.com/grad/lmu.
Transcripts: Two copies of official transcripts must be sent from each institution of collegiate rank attended by the applicant. Transcripts should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office directly by the other collegiate institution(s). All such transcripts become the property of Loyola Marymount University.
Graduate Management Admissions Test: All applicants must take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
International Students: All international students (including those who have received their Bachelor’s degrees in the U.S.) from countries where English is not the primary language must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by obtaining a minimum score of 600 (250 computer-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). International students who received their high school diploma from a U.S. secondary school do not have to take the TOEFL. Admitted students who pass the TOEFL requirement but are subsequently judged by the faculty to be deficient in English may be directed by the Associate Dean to obtain greater language proficiency by taking appropriate remedial courses in English composition or speech communications. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the Program. Each international student must also provide the Graduate Admissions Office with a certified statement of financial ability. GMAT scores must accompany applications from all students (U.S. or international) whose undergraduate degrees were earned outside the United States. A GMAT score of at least 550 is required for international students with Bachelor’s degrees from outside the U.S. Finally, all applicants with degrees earned outside the United States must have transcripts evaluated for equivalencies to U.S. degrees.
Official Evaluations: The MBA Office evaluates the potential candidacy of each applicant.
Applications are evaluated only after the following data is received by the Graduate Admissions Office:
1. application form and personal statement (plus appropriate fees)
2. official transcripts for all previous collegiate work
3. GMAT results
4. TOEFL results (when applicable)
5. two letters of recommendation and
6. a current resume.
Entrance: Students may enter the program in the Fall, Spring, or Summer.
Attendance: Attendance in MBA classes are limited to individuals who have been admitted to the MBA Program and who are registered for the class. Auditing of classes by current students is prohibited.

Proficiency Prerequisites

All students admitted to the MBA Program must be proficient in English composition, business mathematics, and computer applications. Successful completion of a college-level course in business math or intermediate algebra is required.

Waivers

Only core courses may be considered for waivers. Waivers are granted by the MBA Director after an evaluation of the student’s academic transcripts. Waivers will only be granted during a student’s first semester of enrollment. Previously-taken courses that are used to waive core courses must cover equivalent material and have been taken in academic programs that concluded less than 5 years prior to MBA Program enrollment. The accreditation level of the school at which equivalent courses were taken determines the necessary grade for waiver acceptability. For example, an LMU core course may be waived for a student who has taken an equivalent course at an AACSB International accredited school if the student achieved a grade of A or B, or at a regionally accredited U.S. school if the grade earned was an A. Courses equivalent to the LMU core that were taken at schools outside the United States or at non-accredited schools or non-traditional schools are not acceptable for waiver.

Challenge Exams

Challenge Exams are only available for the core courses, MBAA 601-609. Students who feel that they are sufficiently grounded in the content of a core course by virtue of their work experience or academic study may consider taking the Challenge Exam. Challenge Exams must be taken during the first semester of the student’s enrollment in the MBA Program. Students must fill out a waiver examination request form (available in the MBA Office) and pay the exam fee. Further instructions will be given at that time.

Attendance and Residence

Students are expected to be continuously enrolled in the MBA Program. A leave of absence may be granted for up to one year, at the discretion of the MBA Program Director and Registrar. If a student needs to request a leave of absence, the student must contact the MBA Coordinator to initiate the process. Individuals who remain on leave for more than two years must formally reapply for admission. Readmission is based on the admission criteria and the curriculum that are in effect at the time of the resumption of classes.

Between 10 and 20 classes are required for the MBA degree, depending on waivers and choice of integrative option.

Student Registration and Counseling

Registration must be completed each semester during the dates specified in the University Calendar.

Newly-admitted students meet with the MBA Coordinator prior to their first formal registration. The student’s previous academic experience is evaluated and core course waivers may be granted. All students receive a formal Program outline and a list of waived classes during that meeting.

In subsequent semesters, students are required to obtain course approval for registration by the MBA Coordinator or her designee. Each student takes responsibility for following the individual curriculum plan initially outlined by the MBA Coordinator. Enrolling in other courses may result in those credits not applying toward the degree.