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Pepperdine | Graziadio Business School

Part-Time MBA Curriculum

Hybrid: The Best of Both Worlds

The Part-Time MBA (PTMBA) curriculum consists of 52 trimester units of coursework, which embraces rigorous, experience-driven learning that students can apply immediately to real business problems. Designed specifically for working professionals, most class assignments require ongoing application of newly acquired knowledge and skills to the students' professional lives.

The program imparts a solid foundation of current business and management theory and practice, including an understanding of the impacts of globalization, competition, technological innovation, and ethics in the workplace. Each foundation course includes a Saturday workshop experience to facilitate increased interaction and applied learning experiences such as simulations or client-based projects.

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To advance the foundational knowledge developed, students will select a concentration or specialization in their chosen field. Within their area of focus, students will undertake an industry collaborative learning project that will provide them with real-world experience.

The learning journey in our unique hybrid structure has been strategically designed by faculty to allow students to engage in forms of instruction best suited for the learning modality. Students will have the opportunity to self-pace through faculty-designed asynchronous online course modules, engage in virtual discussions and group activities with peers, as well as meet in person each week either on campus or via Zoom online.  

Students can complete the program in two years or choose a pace that aligns with their personal and professional needs—taking up to five years to complete the program.

What can students expect?

  • Immersive cohort workshop experiences in the first and third trimesters
  • Mix of interactive in-person classes and enriching online sessions designed to maximize student flexibility
  • 1-2 Saturday on-campus intensives per trimester
  • Wide array of hybrid and online concentration and specialization courses
  • Collaborative learning environment with faculty
  • Opportunity to build new professional relationships through class-based interaction with peers, faculty, alumni, and industry experts
  • Capstone industry collaborative learning project that allows students to demonstrate expertise by addressing a real-world business challenge.

 

Part-Time MBA Core Program Objectives

  • To develop fundamental knowledge in areas such as finance, marketing, accounting, economics, quantitative analysis, law, human behavior, information systems, management and leadership, and strategy.
  • To develop the skills to analyze business situations in an integrated, multi-disciplinary way.
  • To improve written and oral communication skills so that students can persuasively and professionally articulate their thinking.
  • To understand team dynamics and gain self-awareness to enhance their effectiveness as managers and leaders of teams of people.
  • To incorporate values and ethical conduct into decision-making.

 

Part-Time MBA Specialization and Concentrations

Customize your Part-Time MBA by completing a concentration or specialization. A concentration requires 12 units of elective coursework. Alternatively, students can elect to pursue the Healthcare Management specialization comprised of 6 units of elective courses. Students have the option of choosing from the following specialization and concentration studies:

Specialization

  Healthcare Management

Healthcare services is one of the largest and fastest growing sectors within the U.S. economy. The Healthcare Management specialization provides the requisite knowledge and skills to professionals assuming management and leadership roles in a complex business environment of contemporary healthcare services delivery.  

Required specialization core course (4 units):

OTMT 627 Advanced Principles of Organization and Leading Change in Healthcare 4 units

Complete 2 units from the following specialization elective course list:

FINC 632 Healthcare Finance and Regulatory Environment 2 units
PGBS 611 Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Management 2 units

 

Concentrations

  Business Analytics

Benefit From the Big Data Talent Gap

With a Business Analytics concentration added to your MBA, you increase professional options and earning potential with technical and quantitative skills. You will gain a solid foundation in statistical methods, data analysis, and modeling techniques.

The concentration enhances your degree and prepares you for industries that have grown increasingly reliant on data for decision-making. For this reason, our curriculum is built around the decision sciences and information systems and technology management fields. 

Required concentration core courses (8 units):

ISTM 632 Introduction to Business Analytics Technology 2 units
DESC 617 Introduction to Quantitative Methods for Data Science 2 units
PGBS 610 Business Analytics Consulting 4 units

Complete 4 units from the following concentration elective course list:

DESC 621 Valuation of Real Options 2 units
DESC 627 Supply Chain Management Analytics 2 units
DESC 636 Project Management 2 units
ISTM 630 Information Security Data Analytics 2 units
ISTM 660 Business Analytics and Intelligence 2 units
PGBS 693 Global Business Intensive 1-4 units
DESC 698 Special Topics in Decision Sciences 2 units
ISTM 698 Special Topics in Digital Innovation and Information Systems 2 units
  Digital Innovation and Information Systems

Part-Time MBA in Digital Innovation & Information Systems

As organizations become increasingly reliant on digital technologies in their operations, products and processes, a critical need has emerged for professionals who bring a deep understanding of technology management and the opportunities for digital innovation in business. Such individuals will be best positioned for career success by acquiring a comprehensive mix of business, technology and managerial knowledge and competencies.

The MBA concentration in Digital Innovation and Information Systems (DIIS) focuses on bridging the gap between business and technology, giving graduates a distinct advantage in the marketplace. Surveys of IT management indicate a persistent concern for achieving alignment between business needs and technology resources. Additionally, CIOs affirm that significant improvement is needed for managers who possess the knowledge and skills to envision, manage, and lead initiatives that span the realms of business, IT, and innovation.

Required concentration core courses (2 units):

ISTM 668 Digital Innovation and Information Systems Client-Based Practicum 2 units

Complete 10 units from the following concentration elective course list:

ISTM 624 Databases and Big Data Management 2 units
ISTM 627 Marketing Informatics 2 units
ISTM 661 Designing, Sourcing, and Building Digital Platforms 2 units
ISTM 662 DIIS Project and Program Management 2 units
ISTM 663 Managing Cyber Security, Risk, and Privacy 2 units
ISTM 664 Business Process Analysis and Innovation 2 units
ISTM 665 Digital Innovation and Strategy 2 units
ISTM 660 Business Analytics and Intelligence 2 units
ISTM 622 Social Media Analytics 2 units
ISTM 698 Special Topics in Digital Innovation and Information Systems 2 units
PGBS 693 Global Business Intensive 4 units
  Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is, at its core, a creative activity. It involves starting a new venture with an innovative idea — frequently for a market that currently does not exist. As a result, the MBA entrepreneurship concentration is built upon courses designed to help you tap into your creativity, and then translate your creative vision into a real business that not only produces wealth, but also allows you to express your personal values.

Your first steps include two courses to assist you in discovering your own brainchild— a personally compelling venture idea with large market potential. These are followed by three courses to help you flesh out a business model that will generate profits, build your organization and make connections with your market. Your final step is a course that pulls it all together, resulting in a business plan that you present to a panel of angel and venture capital investors.

Required concentration core courses (12 units):

ENTR 622 Developing a New Business Opportunity 4 units
ENTR 624 Building a Business Model 4 units
ENTR 625 Launching a New Venture 4 units

 

  Finance

Graziadio's faculty is committed to delivering cutting-edge courses to prepare MBA students for careers in finance. These classes prepare students for careers in portfolio management, corporate finance, investment banking, financial institutions management, and financial risk management. 

Required concentration core courses (8 units):

FINC 669 Investments and Portfolio Management 4 units
FINC 638 Financial Modeling 2 units
FINC 623 Business Valuation 2 units

Complete 4 units from the following concentration elective course list:

FINC 624 Mergers and Acquisitions 2 units
FINC 639 Debt Securities 2 units
FINC 635 Real Estate Investing and Finance 2 units
FINC 634 The Management of Financial Risk 2 units
FINC 661 Entertainment and Media Finance 2 units
DESC 621 Valuation of Real Options 2 units
FINC 699 Special Topics in Finance 2 units
  General Management

A concentration in General Management allows for the selection of 12 units from any concentration area. A minimum of 8 units must be concentration core courses. Studies need not focus on a particular discipline. 

This flexibility is ideal for self-directed and highly motivated MBA students. Specifically those hoping to tailor a scholastic experience to their specific and comprehensive interests. Students with concentration in general management have the luxury of choosing from a wide array of courses to customize their business education. 

For a full list of course offerings available to the General Management concentration, please refer to the Academic Catalog.

  Leadership and Managing Organizational Change

The MBA concentration in Leadership and Managing Organizational Change focuses on the development of values-centered changemakers to lead and implement successful change in a dynamic business environment. Our faculty have actual managerial and leadership experience, are consultants, or are highly regarded researchers in the field.

Required concentration core courses (8 units):

OTMT 625 Developing Agile Organizations and Leading Change 4 units
BSCI 660 Advanced Topics in Applied Behavioral Science 4 units

Complete 4 units from the following concentration elective course list:

BSCI 635 Leadership and Ethics 2 units
OTMT 623 Managing Cross-Cultural, Diverse, and Inclusive Organizations  4 units
OTMT 676 Talent Management 4 units
OTMT678 Managerial Creativity and Innovation for Leadership 4 units
BSCI 698 Special Topics in Applied Behavioral Science  2 units
OTMT 698 Special Topics in Leadership & Organizational Change 2 units
  Marketing

An MBA concentration in marketing provides the basic concepts, techniques, and tools for developing marketing strategy and marketing programs. MBA graduates will be prepared to help organizations decide which consumer groups to serve; and product and services to produce. They also will create appropriate promotional, pricing, and distribution arrangements central to profitably generating growth opportunities.

This preparation is relevant for a variety of career paths. They include brand/product management, marketing research, new product development, sales force management, advertising, and management consulting.

Required concentration core courses (8 units):

MKTG 670 Consumer Behavior I: Inside Consumers’ Minds 2 units
MKTG 669 Marketing Research 2 units
MKTG 682 Marketing Communications for the Digital Age 4 units

Complete 4 units from the following concentration elective course list:

MKTG 670 Technology in Marketing 2 units
MKTG 671 Global Marketing 2 units
MKTG 613 Entertainment, Media, and Sports Marketing and Analytics 2 units
MKTG 676 Brand Management 2 units
MKTG 628 Consumer Behavior II: Consumers in the Marketplace  2 units
MKTG 629 Marketing Innovation and New Offerings 2 units
MKTG 698 Special Topics in Marketing 2 units

 

Global Business Requirement

All PTMBA students must complete at least two units of global business coursework by satisfying one of the following options:

  • A global content course from any concentration.
  • A one-week, two-unit Global Business Intensive course hosted by partner schools abroad, led by a Graziadio Business School faculty member.
  • One trimester of study abroad at a global partner business school.
  • A two-unit Going Global with Graziadio (G3) project.