Santa Clara University Graduate Business Bulletin - Weekend Accelerated MBA Program

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Weekend Accelerated MBA Program

Introduced in 2007 to replace the Saturday MBA Program, the Weekend Accelerated MBA (WAMBA) Program allows students an opportunity to complete the degree in less than two years. Students wanting to come to campus less often or to complete their degree in a cohort-based experience, have the option of participating in the Weekend Accelerated MBA program. Classes are scheduled on Thursday evenings and all day Saturday. The WAMBA program grants the same degree as the evening MBA program, is taught by the same faculty and has the same AACSB accreditation. The program includes a global experience and the opportunity to earn a concentration. A new class begins each fall.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Successful applicants show a high degree of academic aptitude as measured by the GMAT exam and prior coursework, as well as professional achievement. Although no prior business education is required, students must satisfy the algebra, calculus, and statistics requirements prior to starting the program.

ADMISSIONS

Admissions requirements for the WAMBA program are the same as for the evening program (please refer to Admissions section) with the following exceptions:

Admission is in the fall quarter only
Deferments are not permitted
Applicants requiring F-1 visas are not eligible
Program prerequisites must be completed before classes begin

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Tuition and Fees
The WAMBA tuition is all-inclusive pricing. The term tuition includes instruction plus books and materials, meals, global experience (except airfare), and student activities.

Refer to Financial Information section for additional fee information.

Course Registration
As the WAMBA program is designed around a cohort-based experience, registration for students is processed administratively by the Graduate Business Programs office. Students will be automatically registered for the courses detailed in the individual cohort schedule. If a student transfers to the evening program, registration then becomes the responsibility of the student. The year two registration process will vary based on the student’s decision regarding satisfying elective requirements.

Equivalency Exams and Waivers
WAMBA program students are not allowed to waive any courses as is done in the evening program. However students are permitted to take equivalency exams to satisfy the pre-program requirements. The WAMBA program is designed to provide a cohort experience, and students are required to move through the program together until the elective portion of the program.

Leaves of Absence
Due to the cohort-based experience of the WAMBA program, a student requiring a leave of absence will not be able to rejoin his or her cohort at the end of the leave. Upon approval from the assistant dean, a returning student may join a later cohort or transfer to the evening MBA program.

Transferring into Evening MBA Program
Students who no longer want to be enrolled in the WAMBA program must submit a written request for withdrawal from the WAMBA program and join the evening program. This transfer to the evening MBA program shall be granted on a one-time basis only.

Program Withdrawal
Students who want to withdraw from the program and the university must notify the Graduate Business Programs Office of their intent in writing. Some portion of the tuition may be refunded and will be determined at time of withdrawal notification. Withdrawal from the university is not complete until the student clears obligations with the Bursar’s Office.

Academic Standing
To qualify for the MBA degree, a student must maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in all work taken in the Leavey School of Business. A grade of C- is considered a minimum passing grade in each course. A grade of F is considered a failing grade, and the units will not be counted toward graduation requirements.

On completion of term one, students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or be placed on academic probation. Once placed on probation, the student must raise his or her cumulative GPA to the 3.0 level within the next two terms of attendance; otherwise, the student will be disqualified from the MBA Program. A student is allowed to appeal the disqualification one time only. The appeal process begins with the student submitting a written appeal, including the steps to be taken to reestablish good academic standing. Further registration will not be allowed until the written appeal has been approved. Upon approval, the student will be responsible for adhering to the plan outlined in the appeal. If, at any time, the conditions of the appeal are not met, the student will be withdrawn from all classes and required to leave the program.

If course work for degree requirements has been completed and a GPA of 3.0 has not been achieved, the student must raise the GPA to 3.0 by completing additional course work in the graduate business school at Santa Clara in order to graduate.

If a student fails a course, he or she will be required to transfer to the evening program to complete the MBA degree. Please refer to Academic Information section for see additional academic information.

Student Responsibility
Students enrolled in the Weekend Accelerated MBA program at Santa Clara are required to follow the same policies and procedures as students in the evening MBA program. Each student is personally responsible for knowing all of the academic regulations of the graduate business school. This includes, but is not limited to, grading, leave of absence, withdrawal, and concurrent enrollment policies. See the Academic Information section for details.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Below is a general description of the program. The total program is 66 units. Complete course descriptions can be found in the Course Descriptions section.

Pre-program requirements
Students are expected to satisfy the algebra, calculus, and statistics requirements prior to the start of classes.

Fall Session – Year One