Enrollment: 330
Average GMAT: 600.00
GMAT Range (25-75%): 560-640
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.28
Rolling Admission: Yes
School Type: Private
Average Age: 27.00
Average Work Experience (months): 48
Student Faculty Ratio: 6:1

Part Time Program: Yes
Evening Program: Yes
Executive MBA Program Offered: Yes
Total Faculty: 60

Out-of-State Tuition: $27,837.00
In-State Tuition: $27,837.00

Students Say - Academics
The part-time MBA program at Loyola Marymount University "is by far the most accommodating program for working professionals in the Los Angeles area," students assert. One argues that "The evening classes, small class size, strong academics, and flexible schedules make LMU an obvious choice" for mid-career business types looking for a boost, as does "the very convenient location for residents on the Westside of Los Angeles." A "widely recognized entrepreneurship program" also draws its fair share of students.
Loyola Marymount is a Jesuit school, meaning the curriculum focuses on "educating the whole person." As one student observes, "All the other MBA schools talked about how much money their graduates made. This school talked about teaching me to live up to Jesuit ideals of philanthropy, loyalty, and justice. It suited my value system." "High ethical and moral standards" infuse all course offerings here. Students tell us that the program also excels in management, finance, and operations. Entrepreneurship is the most prominent program here, however, as indicated by its consistant national ranking by Entrepreneur magazine. Students praise "everything from the classes to the extracurricular activities to the guest speakers" within the program and tell us, "If someone comes into the program knowing they want to develop their own business, they definitely have all the tools they will need here. They will be able to graduate with a viable business plan in hand."
LMU offers a full-time MBA program as well as a part-time program. The former is especially appealing to LMU business undergraduates, who place out of certain MBA prerequisites and thereby complete their graduate degrees more quickly. All students conclude their study here with a series of integrative experiences, the last of which is the year-long Corporate Management Systems, through which "students are given the opportunity to spend a few weeks abroad making presentations and learning about how business is done in other countries."

Students Say - Admissions
Applicants to the LMU MBA program must provide the admissions office with the following materials: two official copies of transcripts for all post-secondary schoolwork; an official score report for the GMAT; two letters of recommendation; and a completed application form. International students must additionally provide an official TOEFL score report (if English is not their first language) and documentation demonstrating the financial means to support themselves while attending the program. Work experience "is not required but will enhance the application," according to the school. Applicants may be admitted for fall or spring semester. Applications are processed on a rolling basis, with admissions decisions typically made within two weeks of delivery of all application materials.

Students Say - Campus Life
The LMU campus is "very accommodating," students report, telling us, "The facilities are top notch, there are computer facilities and multimedia stations available in every classroom." Students appreciate that "The school is nice and quiet, and still students have a social life outside of school. The school has social events that are free of cost to students." They also note, however, that "It's [largely] a part-time program, so there isn't a whole lot of structure to it besides classes, but the students are very self-organizing, and sociable, so there is no lack of academic support or networking opportunities." The program offers "frequent speakers or events planned for students and/or alumni to attend," including "networking parties to help students get to know each other." LMU is in "a good location, close to downtown Los Angeles and close to the beach." One student reports: "The school's beauty and location are two of the greatest strengths. It is hard to feel stressed out when you can walk around and see views of the Los Angeles Basin, Pacific Ocean, Marina Del Rey, and Century City skyline. The laid-back atmosphere...is welcoming."
LMU students "are very friendly, very willing to help, and seem to be there to learn and improve their own lives as opposed to wanting to compete and run the world. They are realistic about expectations and prefer an environment where people work together to achieve success as opposed to working against each other." Most are "working professionals with busy schedules" who have "very diverse backgrounds with regards to their careers, origins, and viewpoints."

Students Say - Careers
LMU serves two distinct student bodies: a majority of part-timers who already have full-time jobs, and a minority who attend full-time and will be looking for job placement post-MBA. The latter benefit from resume and cover-letter seminars, interview and salary-negotiation workshops, and career counseling. The annual Meet the Firms event brings employers to campus to meet with prospective employees and interns. The CSO also offers the CareerLeader assessment tool and access to Vault.com and Monstertrak.com.
The office maintains an online bulletin board for job postings. Students tell us that "the career services department is limited," with some going so far as to say the office "needs a huge overhaul...The career services department offers little beyond what someone in a graduate program should already know when it comes to looking for a new job. Connections with recruiters and alumni should be made more readily available." A few counter: "LMU is working on delivering more to its students. As the program is growing, so are the resources available to the students. The career center is beginning to deliver more for its students, which is where the greatest improvement opportunity existed."

Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University - Part-Time MBA

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