Our MBA candidates are selected with care. We look for bright, hard-working, talented and one-of- a- kind individuals. We hold that unique experiences and perspectives enhance the collective intelligence of each cohort.
The program delivers core competencies in all aspects of management empowering graduates to occupy positions in industry, government, and not-for-profits. Wide-ranging courses in the essentials of economics, finance, accounting, marketing, strategy, organizational behavior, and operations management form the backbone of the program. Electives in areas such as people analytics, negotiations, and entrepreneurship support the exploration of particular interests.
Course Schedule and Modality
Most MBA Courses are offered in-person on campus in San Luis Obispo, and meet during daytime hours Monday through Thursday. Fridays are reserved for team projects, guest speakers, career services, and other extracurricular pursuits.
Making the Most of your MBA at Orfalea College of Business
- MBA Student Association
With the support of the program staff, the MBA Student Association provides current students have a variety of leadership opportunities. The MBA Student Association board brings in guest speakers, creates other professional development activities, plans trips, and collaborates with the director to advance other student priorities. - Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)
As an MBA student at Cal Poly, you will also have access to Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). The CIE helps students and community members acquire the tools, develop the skills and cultivate the mindset of an entrepreneur so that they may create economic and social value throughout the world. While it can mean starting a new business, entrepreneurial careers can be found or created in just about every field, industry, and organization.
- Business Analytics Professional Certificate Program
MBA students can apply to add a Professional Certificate in Business Analytics to their studies, with 12 units being double-counted as MBA electives. This allows students to gain a competitive edge with advanced technical skills without a significant increase in course load.
- Career Services
The MBA Program is supported by dedicated members of Cal Poly’s Career Services who provide counseling, workshops, and host a Grad Programs Career Fair. In addition, faculty provide additional mentoring and support. More information is coming soon.
- Industry Trip and Networking
Company visits and professional networking align with and enhance the MBA Program’s curriculum and are essential to its success. Each year, the program takes an overnight trip as well as day/local trips. Recent hosts include BlackRock, LinkedIn, Adobe, the Chase Center, the San Francisco Giants, Apple, Tesla, Trammell Crow, Salesforce, and Airbnb. Networking happens during these overnight trips, through local firm visits, and during hosted gatherings.
