CSUF Mihaylo College Launches Full-Time MBA

A full-time, quick-paced master of business administration program that will offer focused “soft skills,” practical leadership training and an international experience will begin in late August at Cal State Fullerton’s Mihaylo College of Business and Economics.

The initial class is now being recruited for this 16-month program, with a maximum of 35 students to be accepted.

“Business leaders generally feel that graduates of most MBA programs come out of school with academic knowledge, but few ‘soft skills’ — what we see as the blend of interpersonal, leadership, communication and decision-making skills,” explained Anil Puri, dean of the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics.

“We are responding to that need by creating a program that provides these specific skills in an accelerated setting,” said Puri. “It will allow the students to get into — or return to — the working world in less time than most programs.”

The program, open to all majors, will include 15 courses in accounting, finance, information systems, management, marketing and economics, plus selected courses within the student’s concentration. Class sizes will remain small, not to exceed 35 students, with all students proceeding as a group through the program. A new class will be admitted to the program each fall.

Van Muse, director of MBA programs, said that most universities offer a leadership component, but Mihaylo’s is innovative in the way it approaches leadership training.

“In other MBA programs, ‘soft skills’ are offered as lectures or PowerPoint presentations, either at the beginning or end of the program. We have integrated these lessons throughout the program by having intensive workshop sessions taking place in the middle of the 16-week semesters,” said Muse.

During these workshops, students will learn through simulations, demonstrations and role-playing, applying what they have learned, then receiving immediate feedback from their instructors.

At orientation, students will be assessed on interpersonal, leadership and decision-making skills. Afterward, they will work with a coach on an individualized development plan to meet their specific needs. At the end of the program, students will undergo additional assessments and feedback sessions to determine growth and guidance for continued development in these areas.

Key program components include specialized academic advising and tutoring, focused career development services and counseling, internship opportunities and dedicated career management assistance during the program and for up to six months after graduation.

In addition to the four semesters of course work, the Mihaylo program includes an international cultural experience and global business study during the January intersession between the first and second semesters.

“The opportunity to travel to an international location and learn about business practices firsthand from companies and executives in a foreign location is an invaluable part of any MBA experience,” said Muse. “By including this experience as part of the overall program — and connecting it with our soft-skill development program — our students will be able to learn and test effective practices on an international scale.”

More information and details about applying are available at mba.fullerton.edu. Prospective students also may email mba@fullerton.edu or call 657-278-3622.

Mihaylo College also offers a standard MBA program, an MBA for Working Professionals (Fully Employed MBA or FEMBA) and master of arts in economics, as well as master of science degree programs in accountancy, taxation, information systems and information technology (online).

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Media
 Contacts:
Pamela McLaren, Public Affairs, at 657-278-4852 or pmclaren@fullerton.edu
Robyn Williams, Hilary Kaye Associates Inc., at 714-426-0444 or robyn@hkamarcom.com



Mihaylo College of Business and Economics is a nationally recognized and accredited business school. It offers a full range of business courses delivered by faculty members who integrate classroom education with best business practices, technology, award-winning research, functional applications and real-world experience. The largest business college in California, Mihaylo College is among just 28 percent of business schools nationwide to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Mihaylo College is included in the Princeton Review’s 2011 list of “Best 300 Business Schools,” a ranking based on each school’s students, physical environment, admissions requirements, teaching ratios and programs. It is also among the top 125 part-time MBA programs recognized by U.S. News & World Report.