California Lutheran University School of Business

California Lutheran University, California Lutheran University School of Business History

California Lutheran University, founded in 1959, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Lutheran Church. The 290-acre campus is located in a suburban area 45 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 2920. Enrollment figures given in the above capsule are approximate.

The California Lutheran University School of Business was founded in 1971 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at Ventura and Woodland Hills (MBA). The basic educational approach is to provide students education, knowledge, and skills for careers as professional managers in business, education, government, religious organizations, and service agencies.

California Lutheran University, California Lutheran University School of Business Academics

The CLU School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and MBA in Financial Planning (MFP). Other programs include foreign exchange with 2 countries, internships, joint research, and a nationally accredited program in financial planning. The strongest areas of study are finance, management, marketing, and information technology management. The most popular courses are in finance and management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including rotation with exchange partners and an Endowed Speakers program.

Forty-five total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Management Science
• Managerial Economics
• Managerial Accounting
• Organizational Theory and Development
• Behavioral Science for Management
• Business Ethics
• Law for Business Executives
• Marketing Theory
• Management Concepts for Information Technology
• Financial Principles and Policies
• Strategic Management (capstone course)
• Business Statistics

Required courses for the MBA in Financial Planning include:

• Business Statistics
• Managerial Economics
• Managerial Accounting
• Behavioral Science for Management
• Business Ethics
• Law for Business Executives
• Marketing Theory
• Management and Concepts for IT
• Financial Principles and Policies
• Introduction to Financial Planning
• Tax Management and Strategy
• Employee Benefits and Retirement Planning
• Risk Management and Insurance
• Investment and Portfolio Management
• Principles of Estate Planning
• Financial Planning (capstone course)

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by waiving course work approved through petition, although an elective must replace waived course work, or by transferring up to 6 semester credits from an accredited institution.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year.

In a recent year, there were 14 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 93% hold a doctorate; there are 29 part-time faculty, of whom 31% hold a doctorate. Average number of courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 16.

California Lutheran University, California Lutheran University School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 117,000 volumes, 18,413 microform items, and 1176 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 603 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM, FirstSearch with 60 databases including Worldscope, Business and Industry, Periodical Abstracts, National Newspaper Index, ProQuest, and Lexis/Nexis. Other opportunities for research consist of access to the information databases, full access to the Internet, including access to other university library catalogs from the library’s home page, and e-mail.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Available computer facilities consist of 6 laboratories on the main campus, each with 10 to 20 PCs, 4 Windows laboratories, 1 Mac laboratory, and a mixed laboratory in the library, for a total of 129 PCs. Satellite campuses in Ventura and Woodland Hills each have 10 PCs.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include resume assistance, job placement, and salary negotiation. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 570 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover the entire period of study. There is a $50 application fee, a $250 tuition deposit, and health insurance fees unless proof of insurance is shown. The application deadline for fall entry is open.

Calendar

The school operates on a term basis. Semesters are 11 weeks long; summer sessions, 11 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

California Lutheran University, California Lutheran University School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0. Most important admissions factors are work experience, GMAT results, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is required.

Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, 3 letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and have an interview with an admissions counselor. Students are notified as early as possible of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is open.

California Lutheran University, California Lutheran University School of Business Financial Aid

The FAFSA, the school’s own financial statement, and the previous year’s tax return are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $515 per credit, or $12,360 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $9900; books and supplies, $900, for an estimated annual total of $23,160. Graduate student housing is available for international MBA students only. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

California Lutheran University, California Lutheran University School of Business Students

Forty-three percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 91% have had an average of 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from California (91%). Forty-eight percent are women, 18% are minorities, and 9% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 29; ages range from 22 to 63. One percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. About 2% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 98% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 106 graduate business degrees were awarded.