California State University, Fullerton College of Business and Economics

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School Says - General Information
Mihaylo College of Business and Economics at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is the public university business school in Orange County whose impact stems from its immense presence in the region and its strong links to the economic progress of the area. The College prepares an unmatched number of graduates for success in the workplace, and provides insights that advance the fortunes of businesses in Orange County and Southern California (SoCal).

The College fuels the economic and corporate success of SoCal. Our educational program instills our vast corps of graduates core business knowledge, critical thinking skills, and motivation, thereby putting them in position to contribute to the success of regional businesses. The College's impact is far-reaching because it serves as a thought leader contributing to the economic progress of SoCal.

Mihaylo CBE features nationally recognized faculty, award winning students, forward-looking curriculum and flexible programs which attract talented and diverse students worldwide. We are the largest accredited business school in California and the third largest in the United States. We are one of two schools in SoCal and one of 168 nationwide with prestigious dual accreditation in business administration and accounting from AACSB International, the worldwide accrediting body for business schools. The College is annually recognized by Princeton Review as one of the "Best 296 Business Schools."

Our reach and impact is felt throughout SoCal and worldwide. Our graduates work internationally, but with over 50,000 grads living in SoCal, this advantage really does make Mihaylo CBE "Orange County's Leading Economic Indicator." Our location and overwhelming impact and presence in one of the most vibrant business communities in the United States Ââ€" even the world Ââ€" is an advantage few can match.

Students with significant professional experience enjoy the Fully-Employed MBA (FEMBA) and MS Taxation programs offered at CSUF-Irvine. These accelerated, cohort-based programs create an immediate professional network. All MBA courses are scheduled to accommodate working professionals.

School Says - Student Body
We attract students from across the globe creating a dynamic classroom experience where students learn from both peers and professors. A challenging curriculum, team projects, and intense field experiences give our students a competitive edge.

Most students attend part-time and work full-time. The average student is 27 with 4-6 years work experience. 32% of our students are international and 47% are female. Total enrollment is 465 students.

School Says - Academics
The 33-45 unit curriculum challenges and develops students through case method, team building, integrated curriculum, and working with area businesses. It gives a broad, strategic managerial perspective, balancing theory with practical application, and strengthens leadership skills.

The program gives students a comprehensive, world-class education which students tailor specifically to their professional goals with ten foundational/interdisciplinary courses and a four course concentration. The 12 concentrations: Accounting, Business Intelligence, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, General, Information Systems, International Business, Management, Management Science, Marketing, and Risk Management and Insurance.

The program culminates with the Business Strategy Capstone where students consult for area businesses. Mihaylo students have placed in the top ten for the last 18 years in the SBI national competition. We also finished third in our region for the ACG MBA Cup competition ahead of many nationally ranked institutions.

School Says - Admissions
Admissions are competitive. Applicants are evaluated on undergraduate GPA, GMAT scores, and other factors. For complete admissions information including deadlines and checklists, visit http://business.fullerton.edu/admissions.

School Says - Campus Life
Mihaylo Hall opened August 2008 with state-of-the art classrooms, technology, computer labs, study areas, and meeting rooms. The 195,000-square-feet building houses all faculty and students and fifteen research centers (http://business.fullerton.edu/centers.htm).

The dynamic learning environment utilizes specifically designed classrooms to develop the leadership, teamwork, and technological competence the business community demands. Students have numerous study rooms for team projects and presentations along with dedicated areas for college organizations, honors students, and graduate students.

Other campus features:
- A 2.5 million volume research library with state-of-the-art equipment and specialized information services.
- A new recreation center with a wide variety of recreational, educational, and fitness equipment and programs. http://www.asi.fullerton.edu/reccenter/index.asp
- The Clayes Performing Arts Center (http://www.fullerton.edu/arts/) hosts critically acclaimed student productions and national artists.

Students Say - Academics
California State Universityâ€"Fullerton offers a part-time MBA program featuring "flexible schedules," a "location in the vibrant Orange County economy," and a "low tuition that allows me to pay for my education without going into a large degree of debt." In this last regard it differs from its neighbor and competitor UCLA. Students here feel that, despite the difference in price, both schools share "the prestige of being a major source of a highly educated workforce in California." MBA students at Cal Fullerton must complete between 11 and 15 courses, depending on their academic background in business disciplines. Ten core courses cover fundamental principles; some cover basics (e.g., financial accounting, microeconomics) and others take an interdisciplinary approach (e.g., legal and ethical environment in business, management information in the corporate environment). Students with undergraduate degrees in business or extensive professional experience may be able to place out of some core courses. Students may devote four courses to developing a concentration (five if they chose international business). Concentrations are available in accounting, economics, business intelligence, entrepreneurship, finance, information systems, international business, management, management science, marketing, risk management and insurance. A general degree is also available. Students praise the school's "teaching philosophy, which is underpinned with both practical and theoretical applications" and love "the amount of attention that is given to each student." "It's great that each professor has not only learned my name, but has gotten to know me individually in the classroom," one student says, "I feel that most all professors are very receptive to providing assistance and guidance related to students' professional work experience and are happy to support positive opportunities for students." Some here feel that the program could be more challenging, telling us that "building more rigor in would help." Others, while noting, "The workload is not overly heavy," tell us that they "feel as though we are learning quite a lot."

Students Say - Admissions
Cal State Fullerton requires the following of all applicants to its MBA program: an "acceptable bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution," with a minimum GPA of 2.5 for the final two years of undergraduate work; two sets of transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate academic work; GMAT scores reflecting placement in the top 50 percent on the verbal, analytical, and quantitative sections of the exam; a completed background sheet that includes a summary of academic and professional experience and a personal statement of purpose; updated professional resume, up to three letters of recommendation from employers or professors; and demonstrated proficiency in calculus, statistical analysis, and introductory-level computer programming. International students whose first language is not English must score a minimum 570 on the TOEFL paper-and-pencil exam, 230 on the computer-based exam, or 88 on the iBT. Applications are accepted for the fall and spring semesters and are processed on a rolling basis. Programs can fill prior to the application deadline, so applying as early as possible is highly recommended.

Students Say - Campus Life
"CSUF is a commuter school" with "small class sizes that provide a sense of community in the program," but most here "usually just go to class and go home." Those who can stick around for extracurriculars will find a "very diverse" campus life among "over 37,000" other students, "which makes for a very busy campus." There are plenty of business- related activities, including "15 clubs and organizations…and job fairs with what feels like countless employers looking to hire students," but these are targeted almost exclusively to the undergraduate population. The MBA program does do a good job of "supporting a lot of students from abroad." Fullerton nurtures a campus culture that is "relaxed yet serious enough to get to work when necessary." "Buildings are located close enough to each other so that students from other schools can talk to each other," one student says. While MBAs have complained in the past about classroom resources, a new facility opened in August 2008 to address those concerns. Most students here are "full-time working professionals who contribute greatly to the program. They have a great deal of work experience, are very competitive, and provide great insights during class discussions." They're an older group who are "very outspoken," but whose professional experience justifies their being so. The student body also includes "a good portion of foreign exchange students."

Students Say - Careers
Cal State Fullerton Career Planning and Placement Center provides career services to MBAs at both the Fullerton and Irvine campus locations. Services include walk-in counseling, interview tips, resume review, and job databases. Students may continue to utilize these facilities for up to one year after they graduate for a $25 fee. While some here report that there are "a lot of career events organized," others complain that "due to the lack of institutional funding and a small administrative staff, students are not provided enough opportunity to network among local professionals and entities." Employers who most frequently hire Cal Fullerton MBAs include Ernst and Young, LLP, KPMG, The Home Depot, Mercury Insurance, Pacific Life, and Target.

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