California Lutheran University

Programme overview

California Lutheran University’s MBA is a graduate business degree offered on campus in Thousand Oaks, online, or in a hybrid model, with weeknight class options and five start dates across the year. Most students complete the program in about two years; full‑time students may finish in just over one year. The School of Management emphasises small class sizes, mentorship, internship opportunities and connections into the local and regional business community.

What you'll study

The curriculum covers core business fundamentals alongside elective work that lets you focus on an area of interest. You can pursue a general MBA or select one of several emphasis areas. Students learn through practical coursework and projects built around real business challenges, and some courses and emphasis electives are available online.

• Emphasis areas available: Finance; Information Technology; Marketing; Sport Management.
• Finance electives (examples listed): Financial Strategy; Strategic Financial Analysis; Investment and Portfolio Management; Real Estate Investments; Buyouts and Acquisitions; Behavioral Finance; Innovations in Financial Technology; Entrepreneurial Finance; International Finance; Advanced Analytics.
• Information Technology electives (examples listed): Data Management; Project Management; IT Strategy and Business Value; Healthcare Information Technologies; Enterprise Systems; IT Architecture and Infrastructure; Emergent Technologies; Special Topics in IT; Innovations in Financial Technology; Advanced Analytics.
• Marketing electives (examples listed): CRM in the Digital Age; Sales Management; Strategic Public Relations; Strategic Brand Management; Consumer Behavior; Advertising Management; Entrepreneurial Marketing and Selling; International Marketing; Advanced Analytics; Special Topics in Marketing.
• Sport Management electives (examples listed): Sport Communication and Public Relations; Sport Digital Media and Consumer Behavior; Global Sport Marketing and Brand Management; Sports Media Strategies and Analytics; Global Sport Business and Analytics; Sport Events Planning and Facilities Management; Sport Agency and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL); Global Sustainability and Sport.
• Students pursuing an emphasis must complete those emphasis courses on campus in Thousand Oaks; general MBA students may complete the program entirely online, on campus, or through a hybrid approach.
• Program activities include Entrepreneur Speaker Series, a New Venture Fair, and the PRiME Competition, which integrate networking and applied project work.

Entry requirements

The published material does not list specific admission criteria. The program is available to full‑time and part‑time students; part‑time candidates balancing work are advised to take no more than two courses per term. Prospective applicants should contact the School of Management for detailed admissions information and to request a brochure.

Career prospects

The MBA prepares students for managerial and leadership roles across industries. The program cites potential job titles and median salaries (sourced to the Bureau of Labor Statistics): Management Analyst ($85,000); Financial Manager ($135,000); Marketing Manager ($110,000); Operations Research Analyst ($98,000); Business Development Manager ($120,000); Human Resources Manager ($105,000); Healthcare Administrator ($115,000); Senior Consultant ($140,000); Information Technology Manager ($130,000).

Graduates are employed locally, regionally and nationally at organisations listed by the School of Management, including Amgen, Bank of America, Anthem, Wells Fargo, Baxter, JPL, County of Ventura, Merrill Lynch, Farmers Insurance, Ameriprise, PennyMac, Northrop Grumman, Verizon, Kaiser Permanente, J.D. Power, The Walt Disney Company, US Navy, General Motors, Raytheon, Blue Shield of California and others.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program page does not provide specific scholarships or funding figures. Prospective students should inquire with Cal Lutheran’s School of Management and the university’s financial aid office about available scholarships, assistantships, employer tuition assistance, and other funding options when requesting program materials or speaking with an enrollment specialist.