College of Business and Public Administration | Bakersfield, CA | Visit website
About the College of Business and Public Administration at CSU Bakersfield
Part of the massive California State University System yet offering a small school experience, the College of Business and Public Administration at CSU Bakersfield delivers a world-class business education.
The College of Business and Public Administration, which is home to five undergraduate majors and three graduate majors, including a flexible MBA, is led by an esteemed faculty of published researchers and experienced business leaders, and marked by small class sizes and exciting opportunities for hands-on learning.
MBAs and Other Programs Offered Through the California State University Bakersfield College of Business and Public Administration
The MBA offered through the Cal State Bakersfield’s College of Business and Public Administration is built with a well-rounded, innovative curriculum that arms students with the knowledge and tools needed to compete in a complex, rapidly evolving global business environment.
Featuring small classes, abundant networking opportunities with local business leaders, and personal attention from a dedicated faculty, Cal State Bakersfield’s MBA delivers a contemporary exploration of the art of business leadership.
This two-year program is offered online or on campus and includes nine core courses and three electives. Students may enroll in one, two, or three courses per semester. A culminating project where students participate in an interactive competitive simulation that includes student-managed firms, rounds out the MBA experience here.
Other Business Graduate Degrees
- Master of Public Administration
- MS in Health Care Administration
Undergraduate Business Degrees
- Major
- Agricultural Business
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Environmental Resources Management
- Public Policy and Administration
The BS in Business Administration includes concentration options in:
- Accounting
- Agricultural Business
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- General Business
- Health Care Management
- Human Resource Management
- Management
- Marketing
- Public Administration
- Supply Chain Logistics
MBA Program Customization
The College of Business and Public Administration does not have formal concentration options. However, students can specialize in an area of interest through their choice of electives.
The MBA also has two, industry-specific specializations:
- Insurance Industry – Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU): Students may count the CPCU national certification exams as their MBA electives.
- Non-Profit/Public Administration: Students may choose classes from the Masters in Public Administration or the Masters in Health Care Administration to specialize their MBA.
MBA Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements to qualify for admission to Cal State Bakersfield’s MBA:
Education
The MBA is open to all bachelor’s degree holders, regardless of major, with a minimum GPA of 2.75 (cumulative or in the program’s last 60 units).
GMAT/GRE
Applicants must submit official GMAT or GRE scores:
- GMAT: Minimum score of 500
- GRE: Minimum score of 148 (verbal section) and 149 (quantitative section)
The GRE/GMAT requirement may be waived for applicants with at least ONE of the following:
- A business degree from an AACSB-accredited school with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (either cumulative or in the program’s last 60 units)
- A non-business degree with a minimum GPA of 3.2 (cumulative or in the last 60 units)
- At least five years of full-time professional work experience after the completion of a bachelor’s degree; the role must be above entry-level or be in a managerial role that includes overseeing people and/or budgets (Note: An interview with the MBA admission committee and a letter from the supervisor/manager attesting to the level of work responsibilities are required.)
- National certification:
- CPA
- CFA
- CPCU
- CLU
- PHR
- SPHR
- Other national certifications may also be considered
- PhD or other terminal degree from an accredited institution
- Business owner (Note: Documents providing business ownership and an interview with the MBA admission committee are required.)
Prerequisite Courses
MBA applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses with a “B” or above before registering for their first semester:
- Business Math & Statistics
- Financial Accounting
- Understanding Corporate Finance
- Fundamentals of Economics
- Principles of Management
Students can satisfy the above requirements by showing proof that were taken at the undergraduate level. Cal State Bakersfield has also developed online, low-cost, self-paced foundation courses that satisfy the above foundation requirements.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation (either academic or professional).
English Proficiency
Students who earned their undergraduate degree in a language other than English must show proof of English proficiency by submitting scores from one of the following tests:
- TOEFL: minimum score of 79
- IELTS: minimum score of 5
- Duolingo: minimum score of 105 for GRAD
- PRE: minimum score of 58
MBA Program Highlights
Course Delivery | Courses are offered on campus at the university’s main campus in Bakersfield or 100% online. On-campus core courses are offered Monday – Thursday twice a week in the evenings; Friday evening once a week; or Saturday mornings.
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Class Size | 63 (126 total enrollment) |
MBA Program and Business School Accolades | MBA ranked four out of five stars on Money Magazine’s Best Graduate School Programs ranking
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One of the Most Affordable Tuition Rates Among California Business Schools
Cal State Bakersfield’s College of Business and Public Administration delivers competitive tuition rates that rank it among the most affordable colleges of business in California.
Graduate Business Programs
- MBA: $27,864 (resident), $42,120 (non-resident)
The MBA is priced nearly $17,000 below the state average of $44,606 for public MBAs.
- Master of Public Administration (MPA): $18,148 (resident), $37,156 (non-resident)
- MS in Health Care Administration (MSHCA): $18,148 (resident), $37,156 (non-resident)
Undergraduate Business Program
The tuition for the BS in Business Administration is $8,086 per year ($32,344 total) for in-state students and $17,204 per year ($68,816 total) for out-of-state students.
The tuition for students who reside in a state that’s part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is $10,571 per year ($42,284).
Specialty Business Program Accreditation
Cal State Bakersfield’s College of Business and Public Administration is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), recognized as a global leader in business school accreditation.
AACSB accreditation is highly selective, with just 6 percent of all business schools worldwide holding it. AACSB schools consistently produce some of the world’s top business leaders. In fact, 73 percent of all CEOs representing Fortune 500 companies hold a business degree from an AACSB-accredited school.
Experiential Learning and Travel Opportunities
Cal State Bakersfield offers a variety of study abroad opportunities to more than 20 countries and with 60 partner universities. Full academic year programs, fall or spring semester programs, and shorter, two-week programs are available.
MBA students at Cal State Bakersfield enjoy opportunities to study, work in teams, and network through the Occidental Petroleum Graduate Research Laboratory. This facility serves as a resource center, study space, and hub for team computing facilities. Students here enjoy access to a state-of-the-art library and computing resources.
Unique Business Student Supports, Clubs, and Networking Opportunities
Cal State Bakersfield offers a variety of student support services and resources aimed at achieving professional success. Their Center for Career Education and Community Engagement hosts career (job, internship, and volunteering) and recruiting events throughout the year, and their career development workshops are available on-demand. Career counselors are always available for personal appointments.
The Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) provides new startup support through a structured venture accelerator program. It also serves as a regional hub for connecting entrepreneurial programs and institutions. The CEI’s targeted industries include petroleum and renewable energy; aerospace; remote business services; advanced manufacturing; and agricultural technology.
The Business Research and Education Center (BREC) supports faculty and student research and related activities and is involved in community-based outreach programs to aid in economic development. The BREC is also an excellent source of internships, cooperate education, and community service projects for students.
Students of the College of Business and Public Administration can connect with their peers and engage with the community through one of the many university clubs, such as:
- Alpha Stock Trading Club
- Entrepreneurship Club
- Marketing Club
- Financial Management Association
- Agricultural Business Club
- Marketing Intelligence Club
- Supply Chain and Logistics Club
International Student Supports
Cal State Bakersfield’s American Language Institute (ALI) provides multilingual students with programs, resources, and services to prepare them for academic success while studying in the U.S. The ALI helps students learn the English language and provides them with exciting opportunities to immerse themselves in American culture and campus life. Students of this program learn to recognize and practice appropriate social norms and establish cultural connections with the campus community. Just some of the opportunities available include classroom instruction, field trips, social gatherings, and sporting events and games.
Why We Recommend the Cal State University Bakersfield College of Business and Public Administration
Students at the Cal State University Bakersfield College of Business and Public Administration benefit from the resources, strength, and reach of the massive California State University system, yet they enjoy a small-school atmosphere where small class sizes and personal access to faculty create an intimate, highly engaging academic experience.
The MBA here offers two formats that accommodate students who value an in-person experience, as well as those whose professional obligations and geographical limitations demand the convenience that online courses deliver. And specialization is seamless, with students free to choose elective courses that match their academic interests and professional goals.
Cal State Bakersfield’s College of Business and Public Administration ranks among our favorites for its student-centered learning environment, along with its value, its commitment to academic excellence through AACSB accreditation, and its flexible course offerings.