Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Program Requirements

• Admissions Requirements

  For acceptance into a Master of Business Administration degree, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

  An applicant with a Bachelor-level degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution can apply for entrance into Westcliff University. Undergraduate degrees obtained outside of the United States will only be accepted if they have been evaluated by a member in good standing of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or another nationally recognized credentialing service. In this case, the listed U.S. degree equivalency will be used.

• Graduation Requirements

  Students must complete thirty-six (36) prescribed credit hours with a program GPA (PGPA) of 3.0 or higher—including eight (8) core courses (24 credit hours) and four (4) concentration courses (12 credit hours)—and complete one (1) Practical Learning Experience (PLE) to graduate. Students may complete all 36 credit hours at Westcliff University, or apply for course waivers for up to six (6) credit hours of the required Master of Business Administration courses as an alternative. Please refer to the Transfer of Credit Policy for more detailed information and requirements. 

  Students must apply for graduation. Upon graduation and fulfillment of all academic requirements, students receive a Master of Business Administration degree.

• Practical Learning Experience Requirements

  Westcliff University requires all students enrolled in graduate-level degree or certificate programs in the College of Business to successfully complete a Practical Learning Experience (PLE) as a graduation requirement. Westcliff University degrees and certificates are designed to prepare students for the professional workforce, and the knowledge and skills learned throughout their program are directly applicable to the industries to which they are associated. Practical learning allows students to further refine the associated knowledge and skills through guidance, oversight, and feedback from industry experts and professionals while also building a stable network and gathering references to support their career needs. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded to them in practical learning and maximize their potential career placement or advancement upon graduation.

  The graduate PLE requirement is satisfied by completing a credit-bearing internship course that is assessed on a Credit/No Credit basis. During practical learning, students engage in empirical experiences, in addition to participating in assigned course activities. This practice reflects Westcliff’s commitment to a practical and relevant education and the value of applied, experiential learning. Students who have this experience demonstrate a more successful transition into a new career or career advancement. Students are encouraged to complete as many PLEs as their schedules will permit in pursuit of the completion of their program(s).

  Graduate practical learning opportunities exist on- and off-campus. Off-campus practical learning requires prior University approval, and F-1 students must have Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization to participate in off-campus practical learning. Students are responsible for developing and demonstrating the skills necessary to be successful in a PLE. In addition to contemporary and growing industry knowledge, students should also be prepared to demonstrate professionalism, effective communication (written, oral and digital), and integrity while engaged in practical learning. The faculty facilitating internship courses associated with Practical Learning Experience assess these qualities and provide valuable feedback regarding their development to students throughout each experience. Students may reach out to Career Services with any questions about practical learning at the graduate level.

• ACHIEVE Bridge Pathway (New!)

  Are you ready to unlock your potential and pursue a successful career in business, but concerned about your lack of experience or academic challenges? ACHIEVE is here to empower you every step of the way. Our student support program is designed specifically for students who are eager to succeed in the business world but may have a lower GPA or no prior experience in the field.

  ACHIEVE Bridge Pathway Information

Program Information

• Required Courses

  Masters of Business Administration Core Required Courses - 21 Credit Hours Total

  ECO 500 Managerial Economics - 3 credit hours
  FIN 500 Financial & Accounting Skills for Managers - 3 credit hours
  LDR 500 Organizational Leadership - 3 credit hours
  MGT 500 Strategic Management in a Globalized Economy - 3 credit hours
  MIS 500 Managing Information Systems & Technology - 3 credit hours
  MKT 500 Marketing Management - 3 credit hours
  ORG 500 Organizational Behavior 3 credit hours

  Capstone Course - 3 Credit Hours Total
  

  CAP 611 SMART Capstone* 3 credit hours

  *All MBA students are auto-enrolled into CAP 611 SMART capstone. They have the option to opt-out and enroll into the traditional capstone, CAP 600 Applied Methods Capstone, or another one of the university’s options for fulfilling the Practical Learning Experience (PLE) requirement.

• Program Concentrations

  In addition to the core requirements, students may choose a concentration within the Master of Business Administration program. In order to graduate with a concentration, students must take four (4) courses, totaling 12 credit hours in the area of their chosen concentration while at Westcliff University in addition to all of the Master of Business Administration core course requirements.

  Entrepreneurship - Innovation and flexibility are the secrets to success in today's business marketplace. The entrepreneurship Master of Business Administration fosters the enterprising spirit and managerial autonomy that businesses rely on to stay competitive in this dynamic economy. Westcliff Master of Business Administration students who specialize their program in entrepreneurship also learn how successful entrepreneurs gain access to the resources needed; launch their venture; grow their business; and, finally, exit their business.

  Financial Management - This concentration is designed to provide a theoretical and practical framework on managing money in public and private organizations. It encompasses a wide array of theory, concepts, applications, and analytical tools needed for effective decision-making. Students will explore how organizations and individual investors make decisions in accessing and deploying capital.

  Global Business - This concentration focuses on the complex global business environment and the knowledge and skills needed to compete domestically as well as in international markets. Students will explore industry structures and competitive dynamics in global markets.

  Healthcare Administration - This concentration teaches students the important aspects of managing a healthcare facility. Business management, managed care, and health care policies are covered with a focus on quality assurance and decision making in managed care.

  Hospitality and Tourism Management - The Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management is designed to prepare students for successful careers and leadership roles in the dynamic global hospitality and tourism industries. This concentration equips students with comprehensive knowledge of industry fundamentals, emerging trends, and advanced skills in services management, customer relations, and workplace conflict resolution. Students explore critical topics including technological innovations in hospitality and tourism, hotel and tourism management, revenue optimization, destination management, and restaurant management. Graduates will gain a comprehensive understanding of global hospitality and tourism dynamics, preparing them to succeed in a competitive global economy.

  Organizational Management - The purpose of the concentration in organizational management is to provide students with the skills and practical and theoretical concepts that will assist them when seeking promotions or positions in management and supervision. This concentration is designed to prepare diverse adult learners to become effective, change-oriented leaders in an international society by adding distinctive and challenging curricula.

  Strategic and Innovative Leadership - This concentration is for those who desire to lead with integrity and innovative perspective. Students explore the skills and capacity needed to influence others, manage change, set strategic direction, build teams and support networks, and navigate the complex dimensions within leadership roles.

  MBA STEM Concentration Options:

  In the Master of Business Administration degree program, students have the option to apply one (1) or two (2) undergraduate concentrations from the College of Technology and Engineering to satisfy the requirement to have a concentration.

  To complete a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Cybersecurity, Information Technology Management (ITM) or Information Technology Project Management (ITPM), students must complete 15 credit hours total. To complete a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Web Development & Design, students must complete 18 credit hours total.

  Applied AI in Business - The Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Applied AI in Business equips students with advanced skills and comprehensive knowledge to navigate the evolving technological landscape and apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) in business effectively. Students will learn to leverage AI theories and methods to solve complex problems, improve decision-making, and enhance overall business performance. The program emphasizes the strategic application of AI to innovate practices, gain competitive advantage, and boost efficiency. Students will explore ethical issues and regulations related to AI, ensuring responsible technology use.

  Business Analytics - This concentration focuses on data science and organizational management, facilitating the exploration of how data and technology impact and interact with culture. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between these forces and how they are evolving amid current events and an increasingly data-driven landscape.

  Cybersecurity - The concentration in Cybersecurity covers the different cyber-threats in today’s digital age and how we can implement the best technical and business security practices to mitigate and counter these risks. Cyber security can be defined in a nutshell, as follows: It is the set of technologies, processes, and practices designed to protect networks, computers, programs, and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access. Cybersecurity knowledge becomes a cornerstone in the development of individuals and teams that are prepared to protect governmental, military, and commercial institutions from cyber-attacks. Graduate students will complete one additional graduate level assignment in each course.

  Digital and Strategic Marketing - This concentration introduces students to topics such as marketing strategy, development, research, and consumer behavior. Students will learn to develop and implement contemporary digital marketing campaigns for any type of organization and learn to make data-driven decisions.

  Information Technology Management - The Master of Business Administration concentration in IT provides students the opportunity to learn aspects of Information Technology as they apply to the attainment of organizational goals, management, and the use of information technology as a means of sustaining competitive advantage. Curriculum pertaining to information systems, computer hardware and software, emerging technologies, business intelligence (BI) tools such as online analytical processing (OLAP), data mining, business performance management (BPM), predictive and data analytics, data science, and big data and informatics will be investigated.

  Information Technology Project Management - The IT Project Management program is designed to provide students with a foundation in IT Project management based on the Project Management Book of Knowledge and Project Management Professional certification. This program is ideal for professionals who are interested in the field of project management and who may have experience but do not have formal training. Students will learn common methodologies used by project managers today focusing on project integration, scope, time, cost, leadership, schedule, risk, quality, and communications management.

  Web Development & Design - The concentration in Web Development & Design bridges a path for students who want to pursue careers in the growing and exciting field of web development. The program focuses on creating dynamic and interactive experiences through a rigorous full stack coding curriculum. Students pursuing this program will gain the necessary skills for front-end and back-end development, all while preparing them for success in the professional world.

• Course Catalog and Student Handbook
  Student Handbook/Catalog

Scholarship Opportunities

• Scholarship Application

  As a Westcliff student, you have access to a powerful network of support from staff, faculty, alumni, and many others who take pride in investing in you. Scholarships are made possible by generous benefactors who are passionate about supporting your success.

  Apply Now
• Scholarship Application Deadlines

  2023-2024 Academic Year Calendar

  Semester	Session	Scholarship Deadline	Start Date	End Date
  FALL	Session 1	07/07/23	Start: 8/28/23	End: 10/22/23
  	Session 2		Start: 10/23/23	End: 12/17/23
  SPRING	Session 3	11/17/23	Start: 01/08/24	End: 03/04/24
  	Session 4		Start: 03/05/24	End: 04/28/24
  SUMMER	Session 5	03/16/24	Start: 05/06/24	End: 06/30/24
  	Session 6		Start: 07/01/24	End: 08/25/24