Joint Bachelor of Science in Management and Master of Business Administration

Course Requirements for the MBAJ   MBAJ Elective Concentrations

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The Joint Bachelor of Science in Management and Master of Business Administration (MBAJ) program is for students who have completed the BSM degree requirements, who have achieved distinction in their BSM course work, and who want to pursue an MBA degree. The MBAJ program consists of a minimum of 90 units-a minimum of 48 completed at the BSM level and a minimum of 30 completed at the MBA level, thus eliminating up to 22 units of MBA core course work. At the MBA level, students take four advanced topics courses: Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Law (2 units each). They also take the business strategy course for 4 units and the integration in business operations course. The remainder of their MBA program is completed with electives. This eliminates duplication in core course work that students have mastered in the bachelor’s program. Students also have the option of taking some of the advanced topics courses (two 2-unit advanced topics courses for a total of 4 units) during their BSM program that may count toward the BSM degree. If they take this option, they then take additional electives at the MBA level to reach the minimum of 30 MBA units.

The program meets the following objectives for students’ learning:

• To expand the knowledge base in business by selecting electives in the areas of leadership, global business, finance, entrepreneurship, dispute resolution, marketing, and general business.
• To continue to build or enhance critical thinking skills, especially in the application of theories to practice.
• To continue improvement in oral and written communication skills so students can persuasively and professionally articulate their thinking.
• To further enhance their effectiveness as values-centered managers and leaders of teams of people in the local and global environment.

The program includes 21-25 units of electives, depending on previous course work, allowing students to pursue different emphasis tracks. This format offers a solid core of business knowledge as well as the freedom for both students and faculty to explore areas of study and curriculum development that reflect the changing nature of the business environment.

Global Business Intensive Courses

Two units of credit may be earned by attending one of the Global Business Intensive courses offered at locations in Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America. These are short-term intensive courses which students take during trimester breaks.

Study Abroad Program

Students may spend a trimester abroad as a full-time student at one of the Graziadio School international partner business schools. Upon approval by the appropriate academic discipline(s), up to 12 units of course work of comparable scope and content may be taken at the international partner school to satisfy elective requirements. Students will enroll at the Graziadio School in the appropriate number of GSBM Study Abroad course units. When the courses are completed at the international partner university, their course designation will be added to the enrollment record so that they will appear on the student’s transcript. These courses will be graded credit or no credit only.

Admission Requirements for the MBAJ

1. To be considered eligible for admission to the MBAJ program, a student must have earned a 3.4 or higher grade point average in the Graziadio School’s BSM program in one of two situations:

• Graduated with a BSM degree from the Graziadio School no more than five years prior to the term of matriculation. Alumni who meet the minimum eligibility requirements listed below should contact the Program Office.
• Currently admitted to and have completed 40 or more units of the Graziadio School’s BSM program and have no outstanding lower-division course work.

2. A minimum of three years of acceptable work experience is required.
3. A minimum grade of “B” is required in each BSM course for which the equivalent FEMBA core course is waived through the MBAJ program. Students who have not achieved this minimum “B” grade in the BSM course will be required to complete the equivalent FEMBA core course in addition to the normal course requirements of the MBAJ program. In such cases, a minimum grade of “B” must be achieved in the FEMBA core course for the student to be allowed to continue in the MBAJ program.

An Application for Admission packet may be obtained from the Program Office. The completed application with the specified essay must be submitted to the Graziadio School Admission Office.

Notification of Admission

The Admission Office will inform the applicant of the status of the application, but it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required documents are on file by published deadlines for admission. Admission will be confirmed by a letter from the associate dean.

MBAJ Course Load

The Joint BSM/MBA program is designed for working business professionals. Accordingly, the maximum course load per trimester has been established as 10 units (exclusive of workshops and integration modules). Students on academic probation will be limited to no more than four units until removed from probationary status.

Leave of Absence

A leave of absence may be granted during a student’s course of study. A letter or an e-mail from the student’s Pepperdine e-mail account must be submitted to the Program Office indicating the reason for the leave and the projected time of return. Students may be granted a leave of absence for up to three consecutive trimesters. If a student requires a leave of absence longer than three consecutive trimesters, the student must petition the Program Committee. For information regarding the submission of this petition, contact an academic advisor.

Global Business Requirement

All MBAJ students must complete at least 2 units of global business course work by satisfying one of the following options:

1. A one-week, 2-unit Global Business Intensive course hosted by partner schools abroad, led by a Graziadio School faculty member.
2. One trimester Study Abroad at a global partner business school. 
3. Summer school opportunities at a global partner business school.
4. A one-week, 2-unit residential Global Business Intensive course hosted at Pepperdine University taught by a visiting professor from a global partner business school.
5. A 2-unit Going Global with Graziadio (G3) project.
6. An appropriately scoped Global Business Directed Instruction project.

Standards and Measurements of Achievement for MBAJ Students

A grade point average of 3.4 must be maintained in the BSM program, and a grade point average of 3.5 must be maintained in the Advanced Topics courses. If a 3.5 average is not maintained, admission to the MBAJ program may be revoked or additional courses may be required as part of the MBAJ curriculum, at the discretion of the MBAJ Admission Committee. If the student is required to take FEMBA core courses as a condition of admission to the MBAJ program, a minimum grade of “B” must be achieved in these courses; otherwise, admission to the MBAJ program may be revoked or additional courses may be required as part of the MBAJ program.

A student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 throughout the MBAJ program. All course grades assigned in the MBAJ program are entered on the student’s official transcript and counted toward the cumulative grade point average. A grade lower than “C-” earned in an elective course must be made up by repeating any elective course. If a grade lower than “C-” is earned in STGY 659 Strategic Management , a core course, the course must be repeated before the student will be allowed to graduate. In cases where a course has been repeated, both course grades earned remain on the transcript and count toward the cumulative grade point average.

Students’ academic records are reviewed at the end of each trimester. If a student’s grade point average falls below 3.0, the student is placed on academic probation. While on probation, students will be limited to enrollment in one course. Students placed on academic probation shall be informed of any conditions for removing the probationary status.

Because students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to graduate with an MBA degree, attention to the grade point average is of concern throughout the student’s enrollment. A student is subject to academic dismissal for any of the following deficiencies:

• Failure to earn a grade point average of 3.5 in the Advanced Topics courses.
• Failure to achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
• Earning a grade of “B-” or lower during a trimester in which a student is on probation.
• Earning a grade lower than “B-” in more than two courses.
• Earning a grade lower than “D” in any course.