Santa Clara University

Weekend Accelerated MBA Program

Introduced in 2007 to replace the Saturday MBA Program, the Weekend Accelerated MBA (WAMBA) Program allows students an opportunity to complete the degree in less than two years. Students who want to come to campus less often or to have a cohort-based experience, have the option of participating in the Weekend Accelerated MBA program. Classes are scheduled on Thursday evenings and all day Saturdays. The WAMBA program grants the same degree as the evening MBA program, is taught by the same faculty, and has the same AACSB accreditation. The program includes a global experience and the opportunity to earn a concentration. A new class begins each fall.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Successful applicants show a high degree of academic aptitude as measured by the GMAT exam and prior coursework, as well as professional achievement. Although no prior business education is required, students must satisfy the algebra and calculus requirements prior to starting the program.

ADMISSIONS

Admissions requirements for the WAMBA program are the same as for the evening program (please refer to Chapter 3) with the following exceptions:

• Admission is in the fall quarter only
• Deferments are not permitted
• Applicants requiring F-1 visas are not eligible
• Program prerequisites must be completed before classes begin
• An interview is required

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Tuition and Fees
The WAMBA tuition is all-inclusive pricing. The term tuition includes instruction plus books and materials, meals, global experience (except airfare), and student activities.

Refer to Chapter 4 for additional fee information.

Course Registration
As the WAMBA program is designed around a cohort-based experience, registration for students is processed administratively by the Graduate Business Programs office. Students are automatically registered for the courses detailed in the individual cohort schedule. If a student transfers to the evening program, registration then becomes the student’s responsibility. The year two registration process varies based on the student’s decision regarding satisfying elective requirements.

Equivalency Exams and Waivers
WAMBA program students are not allowed to waive any courses, as is possible in the evening program. However, students are permitted to take equivalency exams to satisfy the pre-program requirements. Because it is designed to provide a cohort experience, WAMBA students are required to move through the program together until the elective portion of the program.

Leaves of Absence
Due to the cohort-based experience of the WAMBA program, a student requiring a leave of absence will not be able to rejoin his or her cohort at the end of the leave. Upon approval from the assistant dean, a returning student may join a later cohort or transfer to the evening MBA program.

Transferring into Evening MBA Program
Students who no longer want to be enrolled in the WAMBA program must submit a written request for withdrawal from the WAMBA program and join the evening program. This transfer to the evening MBA program shall be granted on a one-time basis only.

Program Withdrawal
Students who want to withdraw from the program and the university must notify the Graduate Business Programs Office of their intent in writing. Some portion of the tuition may be refunded and will be determined at time of withdrawal notification. Withdrawal from the university is not complete until the student clears obligations with the Bursar’s Office.

Academic Standing
To qualify for the MBA degree, a student must maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in all work taken in the Leavey School of Business. A grade of C- is considered a minimum passing grade in each course. A grade of F is considered a failing grade, and the units will not be counted toward graduation requirements.

Due to the intensive nature of the Weekend Accelerated MBA program, all students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. At the conclusion of the term, if a student has a cumulative GPA below a 3.0, he or she may be transferred to the evening MBA program, at the discretion of the program administration. If the student remains in the MBA program, he or she will be placed on probation. Once placed on probation, the student must raise his or her cumulative GPA to the 3.0 level within the next two terms of attendance; otherwise, the student will be disqualified from the MBA Program. A student is allowed to appeal the disqualification one time only. The appeal process begins with the student submitting a written appeal, including the steps to be taken to reestablish good academic standing. Further registration will not be allowed until the written appeal has been approved. Upon approval, the student will be responsible for adhering to the plan outlined in the appeal. If, at any time, the conditions of the appeal are not met, the student will be withdrawn from all classes and required to leave the program.

If course work for degree requirements has been completed and a GPA of 3.0 has not been achieved, the student must raise the GPA to 3.0 by completing additional course work in the graduate business school at Santa Clara in order to graduate.

If a student fails a course, he or she will be required to transfer to the evening program to complete the MBA degree. Please refer to Chapter 5 for additional academic information.

Orientation
Students enrolled in the Weekend Accelerated MBA program are required to participate in a residential orientation at the start of their program. Each student is expected to fully participate in activities and discussions.

Student Responsibility
Students enrolled in the Weekend Accelerated MBA program are required to follow the same policies and procedures as students in the evening MBA program. Each student is personally responsible for knowing all of the academic regulations of the graduate business school. This includes, but is not limited to, grading, leave of absence, withdrawal, and concurrent enrollment policies. Please refer to Chapter 5 for additional information.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Below is a general description of the program. The total program is 66 units. Complete course descriptions can be found in Chapter 15.

Pre-program Requirements
Students are expected to satisfy the algebra and calculus requirements prior to the start of classes.

Fall Session – Year One

• MGMT 850 Effective Teams and Managerial Excellence (6 units)
• ACTG 851 Accounting Practices for Effective Decisions (6 units)
• OMIS 853 Statistical Methods and Decision Analysis (6 units)

Winter Intersession – Year One

• IDIS 861 Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Policy (3 units)
• ECON 852 Managerial Economics for Business Decisions (3 units)

Spring Session – Year One

• FNCE 854 Financial Management and Investment Analysis (6 units)
• OMIS 857 Effective Operations Management using Computer Decision Models (6 units)
• MKTG 856 Marketing Analysis and Strategy (6 units)

Summer Intersession – Year One

• ECON 857 Macroeconomics (3 units)
• IDIS 858 Global Business Strategies (3 units)

Fall Session – Year Two

• Marketing or Finance Electives (6 units)

Winter Session – Year Two

• Marketing or Finance Electives (6 units)

Spring Session – Year Two

• MGMT 890 Business Policy and Global Strategy (6 units)

Year two electives

Students enrolled in the Weekend Accelerated MBA program may pursue a concentration in finance OR marketing through courses offered in the Fall and Winter sessions of year two. A concentration is not required in order to complete the Weekend Accelerated MBA program. Students may enroll in a combination of finance and marketing electives offered as part of the Weekend MBA curriculum. However, no concentration would be earned. Should a student wish to enroll in electives outside the WAMBA elective offerings, or to pursue another concentration, he or she may transfer to the evening program.

STUDENT LIFE

WAMBA program students can take advantage of all of the Graduate Business student life activities, which include but are not limited to:

• Student network events
• Career management seminars
• Career fairs
• Career counseling
• End-of-quarter networking socials
• Academic awards and recognition

In addition, special WAMBA events will be offered to foster relationships among cohort members and their families.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For additional information, contact Graduate Business Admissions by email at: mbaadmissions@scu.edu, or visit our Web site at: http://www.scu.edu/mba/weekend.