Master of Business Administration Curriculum

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs, available online and on campus, are designed to develop leaders with a broad business, economic, and social perspective capable of managing change in dynamic environments. Students develop a breadth of understanding through coursework in accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, operations management, and information systems, and depth by concentrating electives in functional cross-disciplinary areas.

The design of the curriculum was guided by several overarching goals:

Provide students with the skills and bodies of knowledge that support successful, fulfilling careers in business.
Alignment with LSB’s primary point of distinction: Engagement with Silicon Valley.
Strong content related to Entrepreneurship and Innovation (in both new and established firms) and blending theory and practice to help students put ideas into action.
Commitment to the Jesuit ideals of ethics, integrity, and corporate and individual social responsibility.

Program requirements include classes that may include students from the MBA and other M.S. programs, with instruction provided by the same faculty as the MBA program and under the same AACSB accreditation. The online version of the program maintains identical learning objectives and content to the on-campus program, ensuring consistency across platforms.

Admissions

For admission information, refer to Chapter 2.

MBA Programs Learning Objectives

See the program-specific chapter.

After completing the MBA program at Santa Clara University, students will be able to:

Describe ethical dilemmas in business, and identify and articulate an ethically justifiable response using appropriate ethical frameworks. Evaluate these questions in the contexts of corporate social responsibility, stakeholders, and sustainability in modern business.
Assess global economic trends, international financial links, and key drivers of international trade and competition, and describe and analyze international differences in business environments.
Recognize and evaluate innovative business models. Understand and describe the paths for a successful start-up to evolve into a technology leader.
Write clear, well-documented, and effective memoranda and reports. Prepare and deliver professional-quality presentations.
Work effectively in a team.
Select and apply appropriate analytical techniques, models, and frameworks to business decisions. Summarize and analyze quantitative information using statistics and data visualization.
Integrate multiple business disciplines while evaluating business opportunities and challenges.

Program Outline

The MBA curriculum consists of 70 units across 14 core courses (44 units) and 26 additional units of electives.

The STEM MBA program adheres to the identical 70-unit curriculum and course schedule as the standard MBA program. It holds official recognition from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program, signifying its emphasis on business acumen intertwined with STEM applications. Graduation requirements for the STEM MBA entail choosing a minimum of 12 elective units from the roster of STEM-approved courses specified within the Data Science and Business Analytics concentration.

For additional information on online programs, refer to the Online Programs Section in Chapter 6.

For additional information on the JD/MBA, refer to the Combined/Dual Degrees Section in Chapter 7.

For additional academic information policies, refer to Chapter 5.

For course descriptions and prerequisites for core and electives, refer to Chapter 8.

Curriculum Clusters

1. Core Business Knowledge (14 courses)

These courses provide our students with foundational business knowledge and skills in accounting, economics, financial decision-making, ethics, marketing, business analysis, quantitative skills, communication skills, and effective practices for leadership and operations management.

Financial Accounting (4 units)
Managerial Economics (4 units)
Financial Management (4 units)
Effective Business Communications (2 units)
Leading People and Organizations (4 units)
Ethics for Managers (2 units)
Strategic Analysis (4 units)
Business and the Common Good (4 units)
Marketing Is Everything (4 units)
Doing Business in Silicon Valley (2 units)
Business Analytics (Predictive & Business Analytics) (4 units)
Quantitative Methods (Statistics & Descriptive Analytics) (2 units)
Analytical Decision Making (Prescriptive Analytics & Decision Making) (2 units)
Operations Management (2 units)

2. Electives (26 units)

Elective courses serve to broaden a student's understanding within domains relevant to their career and educational objectives. Electives may be taken any time during the program, provided that the necessary prerequisite coursework has been fulfilled. Additionally, electives provide an opportunity to specialize in a specific area, potentially earning a concentration. Any course affiliated with the MBA program, except those mandated by other requirements, qualifies as an elective. As the program evolves, new elective offerings are periodically introduced, and while not all options may be exhaustively listed, nor are all electives available each academic year.

Independent Study

Students have the option to pursue independent study to fulfill elective requirements, available in either 2 or 4 unit formats, identified by the course number 3698 (e.g., OMIS 3698, MGMT 3698, etc.). Each student is limited to one independent study course throughout their program. To initiate independent study, students must develop a comprehensive proposal at least one quarter prior to commencing the study. This proposal necessitates review and endorsement by a permanent faculty member, who commits to overseeing and assessing the study. Subsequently, the proposal undergoes evaluation by the department chair for final approval. Following this, it is forwarded to the Graduate Business Programs Office for further review. Prior to registration, a duly signed copy of the proposal must be on record with the Graduate Business Programs Office. Independent study is assessed using the same grading criteria as standard courses.

GBP Anywhere Program

The GBP Anywhere Program enables MBA and MS students to enroll in on-campus or online electives from various Graduate Business Programs. This program aims to enhance flexibility and course options for Online and Evening students. Students may take up to 16 units of electives through GBP Anywhere, core courses are not a part of this program.

International students are eligible to enroll in one online course per quarter provided they are registered for a minimum of 8 units of classes. However, this allowance does not apply during the first quarter of attendance or to any core classes required by the program. It's important to understand that international students cannot be exclusively enrolled in online courses during their graduating term; they must also be enrolled in at least one on-campus course. Nonetheless, during the Summer quarter, they are permitted to take only an online course. For any updates, questions, or concerns regarding online courses and potential visa implications, please reach out to ISS (International Student Scholars).

For additional information, refer to the GBP Anywhere Programs Section in Chapter 6.

Concentrations

Santa Clara University's MBA program offers a broad perspective on business management, while also allowing students the option to specialize through concentrations. Upon successful completion of all requisite courses, the chosen concentration will be reflected on the student's official degree transcript, though it will not be noted on the diploma.

Students are mandated to declare their desired concentration prior to completing 52 units and petitioning to graduate. The concentration declaration form is accessible on the Student Services website. It's imperative to declare concentrations before applying for program completion, as those declared afterward will not be recognized.

Concentrations require a minimum of 12 elective units within a specific area of focus. Coursework undertaken outside of Santa Clara University does not fulfill concentration requirements. Further details can be found below.

Data Science and Business Analytics Concentration

Faculty Coordinator: Tao Li

Learning Objectives

Develop critical thinking skills for strategic evaluation and implementation of current data science (and big data) paradigms, including problem definition. Understand and acquire technical expertise in various quantitative fields such as statistics, econometrics, calculus, optimization, and software paradigms (e.g., R, Python, Databases/SQL, Tableau, etc.), that underlie various analyses undertaken by corporations. Learn how to build models (theoretical, statistical and econometric) to characterize business situations, develop strategies, and use these models to analyze business problems. Students will learn to collect, verify and use data to achieve enhanced business decisions, and present value-added strategies to senior management.

Requirements

12 units from a combination of the courses below:

Econometrics with R (4 units)
Game Theory and Strategic Behavior (4 units)
Econometrics (2 units)
Intro to Time Series (2 units)
Analytics of Finance (2 units)
Applied Time Series Analysis (2 units)
Mathematical Finance (4 units)
The Analytics of Optimal Pricing and New Product Decisions (4 units)
Data Driven Marketing using R (4 units)
Marketing Analytics II (R) (2 units)
Data Analytics with Python (4 units)
Math for Business & Analytics (4 units)
Database Management Systems: Fundamentals of SQL (2 units)
Machine Learning with Python (4 units)
Prescriptive Analytics (4 units)
Database Management Systems: Development, Design & Administration (2 units)
Big Data Modeling and Analysis (4 units)
Dashboards with Tableau (2 units)
Natural Language Processing (4 units)
Deep Learning (4 units)
Reinforcement Learning (2 units)
Artificial Intelligence (4 units)
Supply Chain Analytics (2 units)
Global Supply Chain (2 units)
Data Visualization (2 units)

Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation Concentration

Faculty Coordinators: Jennifer Woolley (Management)

Learning Objectives

Develop an analytical framework for evaluating new business opportunities. Review special operating problems of new enterprises including the problems of survival in the early years, maintaining growth in an orderly fashion, and maintaining momentum as the firm approaches maturity. This involves developing and integrating an understanding of the accounting, finance, marketing, operations and management issues that start-ups face. Identify the unique entrepreneurial challenges faced by startups in high-technology sectors of the economy–these include infotech, biotech and clean tech. This involves reviewing the salient characteristics of these sectors, identifying the key strategic issues associated with them, and providing tools/frameworks to address these challenges. Provide an opportunity for students to evaluate their own abilities and goals in regard to small business opportunities. A minimum of 12 units is required for this concentration

Requirements

Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Innovation (4 units)

The remaining 8 units may come from any of the below courses:

Mergers, Acquisitions & Corporate Restructuring (4 units)
Emerging Company Finance (2 units)
Emerging Company Finance II (2 units)
Business Valuation (4 units)
Global Food, Startup Culture and Climate Change: A Look Forward (4 units)
Innovation in Silicon Valley (4 units)
Social Benefit Entrepreneurship (4 units)
Legal Fundamentals for Entrepreneurs
IP Strategies for Tech Start - Ups
Venture Capital Essentials (2 units)
New Business Ventures (4 units)
Product Management - Concept to Execution (4 units)
Internet Marketing and eCommerce (4 units)
Social Media Marketing (4 units)
Accelerating Innovation: Procure, Partner or Invest (4 units)

Finance Concentration

Faculty Coordinator: Meir Statman (Finance)

Learning Objectives

Know the valuation of financial securities such as stocks, bonds, options and futures, and their financial markets Apply finance in corporate settings, such as the choices of investment projects and their management. Apply finance in investment settings, such as the construction of investment portfolios. Know the links between finance and other business functions such as marketing and operations.

Requirements

12 units of any FNCE graduate level elective courses. Core FNCE or any non FNCE courses courses may not be used to satisfy concentration requirements

Leading Innovative Organizations Concentration

Faculty Coordinator: Kelly Patterson (Management)

Learning Objectives

Apply a systems-based approach to leading innovative organizations, demonstrating an understanding of key concepts from organizational behavior, organizational theory, and leadership Apply these conceptual frameworks to the composition and evaluation of organizations, teams, and individual contributors, for the following purposes: (1) Developing interpersonal competencies that facilitate collaboration within and across organizational subunits and (2) Creating strategies for organizational change in dynamic environments.

Requirements:

Leadership of Dynamic Organizations (4 units)

The remaining 8 units may come from any of the below courses:

Challenges in Leading and Managing Strategic Change (2 units)
Organizational Politics (2 units)
Strategic Talent Management (2 units)
Managerial Communications (4 units)
Leading Teams and Projects (4 units)
Strategic Business Negotiations (4 units)
Healthcare Management and Innovation (4 units)
Spirituality and Business Leadership (4 units)
Coaching for Leadership Development (2 units)
Corporate Governance for the Executive and Entrepreneur (2 units)
Understanding and Embracing DE&I at Work (2 units)
Management Consulting (4 units)

Marketing Concentration

Faculty Coordinator: Desmond Lo

Learning Objectives

Describe and apply current and evolving marketing frameworks to both high tech and non-high tech environments. Integrate marketing processes with other traditional business elements to develop creative strategies and plans to further institutional objectives. Utilize marketing concepts and approaches to optimize customer satisfaction and contribute to societal well-being

Requirements

12 units of any graduate level MKTG elective courses. Core MKTG courses may not be used to satisfy concentration requirements.

Individual Studies Concentration

Students may propose an individual studies concentration, subject to the approval of a faculty advisor. The proposal must show why the planned coursework will enhance a student's career objectives or intensify an area of inquiry not offered by the existing concentrations.

Learning Objectives

The purpose of an Independent Studies Concentration is to allow students to tailor their academic experience to align with their unique interests, career goals, or academic needs that are not fully addressed by existing concentrations. To pursue, students should first schedule a meeting with the Graduate Business Programs Office to receive further instructions on administrative details and other restrictions that may apply.

Requirements

In addition to completing the Graduate Business Core requirements for the MBA, students who wish to design an Independent Study Concentration must fulfill the following concentration requirements:

Maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average
Submit a Petition for Admission to the Graduate Business Programs Office for review and approval.
The Petition must be submitted within one quarter of declaring the Independent Studies Concentration.

The Written Proposal Must Include:

Title of the Independent Study Concentration.
A clear, logical, and conceptually refined description of the proposed concentration including its goals and objectives.
Explanation of how the concentration differs from existing options.
A well-developed argument, supported by appropriate evidence, demonstrating that no existing concentration can meet the student's educational objectives.
Evidence or rationale supporting the need for this custom concentration.
A detailed list of courses, seminars, internships, etc., that the student will need to complete and fulfill the 12 units of academic credit required for the concentration.
A schedule of coursework and academic activities, including anticipated completion each quarter
Name and contact information of the faculty advisor
A brief description of the advisor’s qualification and relevance to the proposed concentration

The Independent Studies Concentration form can be found on the My Leavey Website.

Global Business Perspectives

The Santa Clara MBA program recognizes the increasing importance of obtaining an international perspective on business and society. Students are exposed to multinational business issues and multicultural perspectives in many of the required courses. MBA students have the option to participate in an elective study abroad course - Global Business Perspectives (IDIS 3695) during their time in the program. Recent study abroad locations have included Brazil, Vietnam, Chile, Denmark, Turkey, and Canada and include both cultural exploration and local company visit opportunities. The course is offered each Winter and Summer term and Leavey School of Business faculty lead all trips.

Global Business Perspectives is an intensive course examining the contemporary and dynamic global business environment. The course provides in-depth first-hand experience of global markets and products, leading to action and engagement, while students observe the challenges of overcoming cultural and local factors working against globalization. Students will analyze the global context of business and the human impact at hand, while practicing the skills to address such issues in Silicon Valley and abroad.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of a Global Business Perspectives course, students will be able to:

Recognize, classify and express different cultural patterns of significance to business and commerce
Compare and contrast the social, legal, and political aspects of international business environments
Evaluate the business risk facing US organizations operating abroad and foreign organizations operating in the US
Express and evaluate ethical issues associated with global business, through analysis and reflection

Application Requirements

Global Business Perspectives enrollment is through an application process. Students must complete an application and meet all requirements to be considered for the course.

In addition to the 4-unit tuition charges, there is a course fee associated with this class. A registration deposit will be required only upon acceptance of the application. The deposit is non-refundable unless the program is canceled, in which case any remaining deposit funds may be refunded.

Participation Requirements

All students are expected to meet the following requirements at the time of application, as well as throughout the period leading up to and including the designated Global Business Perspectives course:

Minimum of three quarters enrollment in the MBA program
Cumulative GPA of 3.0
Good standing within the University

Participation Limitation

Students may participate in a maximum of two Global Business Perspectives courses in their MBA program.

Payment

Prior to the travel component, students are accountable for submitting payment for all travel-related administrative fees.

Withdrawal

Students who no longer wish to participate in a Global Business Perspectives course must notify the Graduate Business Programs Office in writing. Upon withdrawal, students will be accountable for the non-refundable deposit. Additionally, depending on the timing of the notification to the travel component, students may also incur travel-related administrative fees. It is understood that students consent to the charge of the non-refundable deposit at the time of application.

Course Cancellation

The Graduate Business Programs retains the authority to cancel a Global Business Perspectives course at its discretion, particularly in cases of insufficient enrollment and other factors beyond the University's control, such as unforeseen Acts of God. Should such a cancellation transpire, any remaining portion of the deposit may be eligible for a refund.