Master of Business Administration Curriculum

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs, offered both online and on campus, are designed to cultivate leaders with a comprehensive business, economic, and social perspective, equipped to manage change in dynamic environments. Students develop a broad understanding through core coursework in accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, operations management, and information systems, and gain depth by focusing elective courses in functional and cross-disciplinary areas.

The curriculum's design is guided by several key goals:

Providing students with the essential skills and knowledge for successful and fulfilling careers in business.
Aligning with the Leavey School of Business's distinctive connection to Silicon Valley.
Offering strong content related to entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, and innovation (within both new and established firms), blending theory and practice to facilitate the implementation of ideas.
Maintaining a commitment to the Jesuit ideals of ethics, integrity, and corporate and individual social responsibility.

Program requirements include classes that may integrate students from the MBA and other Master of Science programs. Instruction is delivered by the same faculty as the MBA program and under the same AACSB accreditation. The online version of the program maintains identical learning objectives and content as the on-campus program, ensuring a consistent educational experience across all platforms.

Admissions

For admission information, refer to Chapter 2.

MBA Programs Learning Objectives

See the program-specific chapter.

After completing the MBA program at Santa Clara University, students will be able to:

Describe ethical dilemmas in business, and identify and articulate an ethically justifiable response using appropriate ethical frameworks. Evaluate these questions in the context of corporate social responsibility, stakeholders, and sustainability in modern business.
Assess global economic trends, international financial links, and key drivers of international trade and competition, and describe and analyze international differences in business environments.
Recognize and evaluate innovative business models. Describe the paths for a successful start-up to evolve into a technology leader.
Write clear, well-documented, and effective memoranda and reports. Prepare and deliver professional-quality presentations.
Work effectively in a team.
Select and apply appropriate analytical techniques, models, and frameworks to business decisions. Summarize and analyze quantitative information using statistics and data visualization.
Integrate multiple business disciplines while evaluating business opportunities and challenges.

Program Outline

The MBA curriculum consists of 70 units across 14 core courses (44 units) and 26 additional units of electives. Students should plan to spend a minimum of 2 hours per unit each week on coursework outside of class. For example, a 2-unit course requires about 4 hours of study per week, while a 4-unit course requires about 8 hours.

The STEM MBA program adheres to the identical 70-unit curriculum and course schedule as the standard MBA program. It holds official recognition from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program, signifying its emphasis on business acumen intertwined with STEM applications. Graduation requirements for the STEM MBA entail choosing a minimum of 12 elective units from the roster of STEM-approved courses specified within the Data Science and Business Analytics concentration.

For additional information on online programs, refer to the Online Programs Section in Chapter 6.

For additional information on the JD/MBA, refer to the Combined/Dual Degrees Section in Chapter 7.

For additional academic information policies, refer to Chapter 5.

For course descriptions and prerequisites for core and electives, refer to Chapter 8.

Curriculum Clusters

1. Core Business Knowledge (14 courses)

These courses provide our students with foundational business knowledge and skills in accounting, economics, financial decision-making, ethics, marketing, business analysis, quantitative skills, communication skills, and effective leadership and operations management practices.

ACTG 3000 Financial Accounting (4 units)
ECON 3000 Managerial Economics (4 units)
FNCE 3000 Financial Management (4 units)
MGMT 3000 Leading People and Organizations (4 units)
MGMT 3050 Strategic Analysis (4 units)
MGMT 3060 Business and the Common Good (4 units)
MGMT 3200 Ethics for Managers (2 units)
MKTG 3000 Marketing Is Everything (4 units)
MKTG 3200 Doing Business in Silicon Valley (2 units)
MKTG 3700 Effective Business Communications (2 units)
ISBA 3000 Statistics & Descriptive Analytics (2 units)
ISBA 3100 Prescriptive Analytics & Decision Making(2 units)
ISBA 3200 Predictive & Business Analytics (4 units)
ISBA 3300 Operations Management (2 units)

2. Electives (26 units)

Elective courses allow students to deepen their understanding of domains relevant to their career and educational goals. These electives can be taken at any point during the program, provided that any necessary prerequisite coursework has been completed. Additionally, electives offer the opportunity to specialize in a specific area, potentially leading to a concentration. Any course affiliated with the MBA program, excluding those required by other program components, qualifies as an elective. As the program continues to evolve, new elective options are introduced periodically. Please note that not all elective offerings may be listed comprehensively, and the availability of specific electives may vary each academic year

Independent Study

Students may pursue an independent study to fulfill elective requirements in either 2- or 4-unit formats, using course number 3698 associated with the relevant department (e.g., ISBA 3698, MGMT 3698). Students may take only one independent study course during their program, and it will be evaluated using the same grading criteria as standard courses.

To initiate an independent study, students must submit a comprehensive proposal at least one quarter prior to the start of the study. The proposal must first be reviewed and approved by the Faculty Advisor overseeing the study, then signed by the Faculty Director, Department Chair, Programs Director, and Assistant Dean. The Graduate Business Programs Office will register the student once the fully approved form and proposal are on file.

The Faculty Advisor must be a full-time faculty member. Faculty status can be verified on the department’s official website. It is the student’s responsibility to identify and secure a Faculty Advisor.

The Independent Study Course form can be found on the My Leavey Website under forms.

GBP Anywhere Program

The GBP Anywhere Program enables MBA and MS students to enroll in on-campus or online electives from various Graduate Business Programs. This program aims to enhance flexibility and course options for Online and Evening students. Students may take up to 16 units of electives through GBP Anywhere. Core courses are not a part of this program.

International students may enroll in one online course per quarter as long as they are registered for a minimum of 6 units of in-person classes. This option is not available during their first quarter of attendance and does not apply to core courses required by the program. In their final quarter, international students must be enrolled in at least one on-campus course and cannot take only online courses. F-1 visa holders are also required to be enrolled in a minimum of 8 units each quarter. For the most current information, or if you have any questions or concerns about online course eligibility, registration requirements, or visa implications, please consult your academic advisor and the International Student Scholars.

For additional information, refer to the GBP Anywhere Programs Section in Chapter 6.

Online MBA Career Requirement

To support your career growth and professional advancement, all online graduate programs at SCU require students to meet with a career coach at least once as part of the graduation requirements. This engagement is designed to help you foster a relationship with the Graduate Business Career Management Service Team early on in your program, allowing you to take full advantage of the career resources available to you both during and after your time at SCU.

These resources include workshops, career coaching sessions, resume reviews, and career reflections. We want to ensure that you’re well-prepared for your future career and that you have the tools to navigate the job market successfully, both as a student and as an alumni. While you're enrolled, you can complete these requirements at your convenience, but they must be finished by your final quarter to be eligible for graduation.

In addition to meeting with a career coach, Online MBA students are also required to complete the following:

First Intensive Reflection, which is part of the MGMT 3000 course
Mid-Point Reflection related to Career
Final Intensive Reflection, which is part of the MGMT 3050 course
Silicon Valley Professional Dashboard

Concentrations

Santa Clara University's MBA program offers a broad perspective on business management, while also allowing students the option to specialize through concentrations. Upon successful completion of all requisite courses, the chosen concentration will be reflected on the student's official degree transcript, though it will not be noted on the diploma.

Students must declare their desired concentration before petitioning to graduate. To ensure they have time to complete any required coursework, students are expected to declare their concentration before reaching 52 units. The Concentration Declaration Form is available on the Student Services website. Concentrations declared after a graduation petition has been submitted will not be accepted..

Concentrations require a minimum of 12 elective units within a specific area of focus. Coursework undertaken outside of Santa Clara University does not fulfill concentration requirements. Further details can be found below.

Data Science and Business Analytics Concentration

Faculty Coordinator: Tao Li

Learning Objectives

Students will develop critical thinking skills for the strategic evaluation and implementation of contemporary data science and big data paradigms, starting with effective problem definition. They will gain a strong technical foundation in quantitative fields such as statistics, econometrics, calculus, optimization, and essential software tools (e.g., R, Python, Databases/SQL, Tableau), which underpin various corporate analyses. The curriculum emphasizes learning how to build theoretical, statistical, and econometric models to characterize business situations, develop strategic insights, and analyze business problems. Furthermore, students will learn to collect, verify, and utilize data to drive enhanced business decisions and effectively present value-added strategies to senior management.

Requirements

12 units from a combination of the courses below:

ECON 2509 Econometrics with R (4 units)
ECON 3430 Game Theory and Strategic Behavior (4 units)
FNCE 2404 Intro to Time Series (2 units)
FNCE 2409 Econometrics (2 units)
FNCE 2408 Analytics for Finance (Panel Data) (2 units)
FNCE 2489 Mathematical Finance (4 units)
MKTG 2505 Data Science in Marketing (4 units)
MKTG 3588 The Analytics of Optimal Pricing and New Product Decisions (4 units)
MKTG 3597 Marketing Analytics (4 units)
MKTG 3738 Introduction to Data Science in Marketing (2 units)
ISBA 2400 Math for Business & Analytics (4 units)
ISBA 2401 Data Analytics with Python (4 units)
ISBA 2402 Database Management Systems: Fundamentals of SQL (2 units)
ISBA 2403 Machine Learning with Python (4 units)
ISBA 2404 Dashboards with Tableau (2 units)
ISBA 2405 Prescriptive Analytics (4 units)
ISBA 2407 Database Management Systems: Development, Design & Administration (2 units)
ISBA 2411 Natural Language Processing (4 units)
ISBA 2412 Data Visualization (2 units)
ISBA 2413 Big Data Modeling and Analysis (4 units)
ISBA 2414 Deep Learning (4 units)
ISBA 2415 Reinforcement Learning (2 units)
ISBA 2416 Applied Cloud Computing (2 units)
ISBA 2418 Machine Learning with Finance (4 units)
ISBA 2416 Artificial Intelligence (4 units)
ISBA 2431 Supply Chain Management (4 units)
ISBA 2431 Global Supply Chain Management (2 units)
ISBA 2435 Supply Chain Analytics (2 units)

Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation Concentration

Faculty Coordinators: Jennifer Woolley (Management)

Learning Objectives

Students pursuing this concentration develop a strong analytical framework for evaluating new business opportunities. They examine the unique operational challenges faced by startups, from initial survival through sustained growth and maturity, integrating essential knowledge of accounting, finance, marketing, operations, and management. The coursework also covers the distinct entrepreneurial hurdles within high-technology sectors like infotech, biotech, and clean tech, analyzing their key characteristics and strategic issues while providing relevant tools and frameworks. Ultimately, this concentration offers students a chance to assess their own capabilities and goals concerning small business opportunities. A minimum of 12 units is required for completion.

Requirements

MGMT 3802 Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Innovation (4 units)

The remaining 8 units may come from any of the below courses:

FNCE 2460 Mergers, Acquisitions & Corporate Restructuring (4 units)
FNCE 2480 Emerging Company Finance (2 units)
FNCE 2481 Emerging Company Finance II (2 units)
FNCE 2482 Business Valuation (4 units)
MGMT 3504 Innovation in Silicon Valley (4 units)
MGMT 3548 Social Benefit Entrepreneurship (4 units)
MGMT 3549 Legal Fundamentals for Entrepreneurs (4 units)
MGMT 3550 IP Strategies for Tech Start - Ups (2 units)
MGMT 3554 Developing Your Creative Mindset (4 units)
MKTG 3569 New Business Ventures (4 units)
MKTG 3572 Product Management - Concept to Execution (4 units)
MKTG 3592 Internet Marketing and eCommerce (4 units)
MKTG 3728 Social Media Marketing (4 units)

Finance Concentration

Faculty Coordinator: Meir Statman (Finance)

Learning Objectives

The Finance Concentration equips students with a strong understanding of financial security valuation, covering stocks, bonds, options, and futures, as well as the dynamics of their respective financial markets. Students will learn to apply financial principles within corporate settings, focusing on critical investment project selection and their ongoing management. Furthermore, the coursework explores the application of finance in investment contexts, specifically in the strategic construction of investment portfolios. Finally, students will gain insights into the crucial interconnections between finance and other essential business functions, such as marketing and operations, fostering a holistic understanding of organizational management.

Requirements

12 units of any FNCE graduate level elective courses. Core FNCE or any non FNCE courses courses may not be used to satisfy concentration requirements

Leading Innovative Organizations Concentration

Faculty Coordinator: Sandy Kristin Piderit (Management)

Learning Objectives

This concentration emphasizes a systems-based approach to leading innovative organizations. Students will develop a strong understanding of core concepts from organizational behavior, organizational theory, and leadership studies. They will learn to apply these conceptual frameworks to analyze and evaluate organizations, teams, and individual contributors for two key purposes: first, to cultivate interpersonal competencies that foster effective collaboration both within and across organizational subunits; and second, to formulate strategic approaches for navigating organizational change in dynamic and evolving environments.

Requirements:

MGMT 3512 Leadership of Dynamic Organizations (4 units)

The remaining 8 units may come from any of the below courses:

MGMT 3052 Challenges in Leading and Managing Strategic Change (2 units)
MGMT 3516 Organizational Politics (2 units)
MGMT 3526 Strategic Talent Management (2 units)
MGMT 3538 Leading Teams and Projects (4 units)
MGMT 3542 Management Consulting (4 units)
MGMT 3544 Strategic Business Negotiations (4 units)
MGMT 3545 Healthcare Management and Innovation (4 units)
MGMT 3546 Spirituality and Business Leadership (4 units)
MGMT 3551 Coaching for Leadership Development (2 units)
MGMT 3552 Corporate Governance for the Executive and Entrepreneur (2 units)
MGMT 3553 Data & Digital Transformations for Business Executives (4 units)
MGMT 3565 Cultivating Inclusive Leadership (2 units)

Marketing Concentration

Faculty Coordinator: Desmond Lo

Learning Objectives

The Marketing Concentration focuses on understanding and applying both current and evolving marketing frameworks across a diverse range of environments, encompassing both the high-tech sector and more traditional industries. Students will learn to integrate core marketing processes with other fundamental business elements to develop creative and effective strategies and plans that support broader institutional objectives. Furthermore, the program emphasizes the utilization of key marketing concepts and approaches to optimize customer satisfaction and contribute positively to societal well-being.

Requirements

12 units of any graduate-level MKTG elective courses, with the exception of MKTG 3701. Core MKTG courses may not be used to satisfy concentration requirements.

Business Sustainability

Faculty Coordinator: Kumar Sarangee and Brian Thomas

Learning Objectives

Understand the importance of sustainability across business functions such as marketing, operations, finance, and investing. Analyze sustainability frameworks and metrics that help with strategic planning, financial forecasting, and operational reporting. Evaluate financial and societal trade-offs when considering sustainability-related growth opportunities and risk mitigation strategies. Apply best practices in executing sustainable business initiatives that balance economic, social, and environmental considerations.

Requirements:

MGMT 3555 Sustainability in the Evolving Business Landscape (4 units)

Remaining 8 units from a combination of the courses below:

MGMT 3556 Sustainability in Action: On-Site Visits (2 units) - Highly Recommended
FNCE 2492 ESG Investing (2 units)
MGMT 3548 Social Benefit Entrepreneurship (4 units)
MGMT 3552 Corporate Governance for the Executive and Entrepreneur (2 units)
MGMT 3565 Cultivating Inclusive Leadership (2 units)
MGMT 3695 Global Business Perspectives (4 units)

Individual Studies Concentration

Students may propose an Independent Studies Concentration with the approval of a full-time faculty member serving as their Faculty Advisor. Faculty status can be verified on the department’s official website. It is the student’s responsibility to identify and secure a Faculty Advisor. Please see below for additional important information.

Learning Objectives

The purpose of an Independent Studies Concentration is to allow students to tailor their academic experience to align with unique interests, career goals, or educational needs not fully addressed by existing concentrations. To begin, students should schedule a meeting with the Graduate Business Programs Office for guidance on administrative requirements and any applicable restrictions.

Requirements

In addition to completing the Graduate Business Core requirements for the MBA, students who wish to design an Independent Study Concentration must fulfill the following concentration requirements:

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher before proposing an Independent Studies Concentration and must maintain this GPA throughout the concentration.
The concentration must be completed using the approved set of required and recommended courses, as authorized by the faculty advisor and faculty director.
All courses must be selected from those offered within the Graduate Business Program and adhere to the standard GBP grading policy.
Students must submit the required form along with their proposal.
The form must be submitted at least one quarter before formally declaring the Independent Studies Concentration.

The proposal must include:

Title of the Independent Studies Concentration.
Description of the proposed concentration, including goals and objectives.
Explanation of how the concentration differs from existing options.
Rationale demonstrating why no existing concentration meets the student’s educational objectives, supported by evidence.
Detailed list of coursework totaling 12 units of credit.
Schedule of coursework, including anticipated completion per quarter.
Faculty advisor name and contact information, along with a brief description of the advisor’s qualifications and relevance to the proposed concentration.

The Independent Studies Concentration form can be found on the My Leavey Website.

Global Business Perspectives

The Santa Clara MBA program recognizes the increasing importance of obtaining an international perspective on business and society. Students are exposed to multinational business issues and multicultural perspectives in many of the required courses. MBA students have the option to participate in an elective study abroad course - Global Business Perspectives (MGMT3695) during their time in the program. Recent study abroad locations have included Brazil, Vietnam, Chile, Denmark, Turkey, and Canada and include both cultural exploration and local company visit opportunities. The course is offered each Summer term, and Leavey School of Business faculty lead all trips.

Global Business Perspectives is an intensive course examining the contemporary and dynamic global business environment. The course provides in-depth first-hand experience of global markets and products, leading to action and engagement, while students observe the challenges of overcoming cultural and local factors working against globalization. Students will analyze the global context of business and the human impact at hand, while practicing the skills to address such issues in Silicon Valley and abroad.

Learning Objectives

Students will explore the historical, socio-political, sustainability, and cultural factors that influence business practices in the host country, drawing comparisons to the business environment in the United States. They will examine the unique aspects of conducting business abroad, including the role of government, socio-economic conditions, environmental and sustainability expectations, and cultural influences on decision-making. Students will also assess the challenges U.S. nationals may encounter when doing business in the host country. Additionally, they will analyze how global institutions related to trade, investment, and finance shape corporate structure, strategic planning, and sustainable business practices within the host country, particularly in the context of global expansion. Throughout the program, students will also develop a strong professional network and cohort experience with fellow Santa Clara MBA students.

Participation Requirements

All students are expected to meet the following requirements at the time of application, as well as throughout the period leading up to and including the designated Global Business Perspectives course:

Minimum of three-quarters completed in the MBA program
Cumulative GPA of 3.0
Good standing within the University

Participation Limitation

Students may participate in a maximum of two Global Business Perspectives courses in their MBA program.

Payment

Prior to the travel component, students are accountable for submitting payment for all travel-related administrative fees.

Withdrawal

Students who no longer wish to participate in a Global Business Perspectives course must notify the Graduate Business Programs Office in writing. Upon withdrawal, students will be accountable for the non-refundable deposit. Additionally, depending on the timing of the notification to the travel component, students may also incur travel-related administrative fees. It is understood that students consent to the charge of the non-refundable deposit at the time of application.

Course Cancellation

The Graduate Business Programs retains the authority to cancel a Global Business Perspectives course at its discretion, particularly in cases of insufficient enrollment and other factors beyond the University's control, such as unforeseen Acts of God. Should such a cancellation transpire, any remaining portion of the deposit may be eligible for a refund.