Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the College of Business Administration at Cal Poly Pomona – answered directly by the school:
What does polytechnic mean and should I care?
Simply put, the definition of polytechnic is offering instruction with an approach that embraces ‘learn-by doing.’ As a student in our Graduate Business Program, this means you’re not only learning something new, you’re living it. Lectures extend far beyond any textbook.
One of our current cohorts spent the semester analyzing a marketing proposal for an industry partner with consideration given to budget, feasibility and impact. The process of gathering, then analyzing market data offered student teams career-boosting experience with industry credibility. Student teams worked alongside executives in the reengineering of the company’s short- and long-term marketing goals.
You should care because there’s only one college in Southern California with “Polytechnic” in the name. Guided by industry-experienced faculty, you get to try and apply knowledge future employers covet.
Polytechnic sounds time-consuming. Do I have time for this?
You do have time! Our MBA, MSA and MSBA programs are designed with the working professional in mind. Hybrid courses offer the flexibility of online learning with interaction and guidance from our professors. Evening and Saturday classes make it easier to fit pursuing an advanced degree into your busy life.
Most students in our Masters in Business Administration and Masters in Science in Business Administration in Information Assurance expect to complete the program within 2-years. Our Masters of Science in Accountancy compliments the 2-year degree with a 1-year accelerated program.
Explain cohort learning. Why is it beneficial?
An academic cohort is a group of students that take courses together for the entire program. Very few professionals work alone. Using a cohort format builds important leadership skills as well as an understanding of teamwork, group dynamics and communication. Our students usually develop a tightknit community with cohort members forging relationships that last far beyond graduation. This is in addition to leveraging a CBA network of more than 40,000 alumni.
What’s the difference between an MBA, MSBA and MSA?
The hybrid evening Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is designed for working professionals who wish to extend their current knowledge and boost their career potential while continuing their daytime employment.
The three Graduate Business Programs have been accredited by the AACSB, a distinction that less than 5% of the world’s 13,000 business programs have earned. AACSB schools produce gradates that are highly skilled and more desirable to employers than other non-accredited schools.
Our Master of Science in Business Administration (MSBA) program with an option in Information Assurance is for people who wish to extend their knowledge, boost their career potential, and pursue a career in information auditing, information security, and digital forensics. Curriculum has been endorsed by ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association).
Lastly, our Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) program is designed to meet the needs of the ever-changing accounting profession, whether in public accounting, corporate accounting, government and not-for-profit accounting or some other areas of practice. Regardless of standard or accelerated, the MSA program has features that are designed precisely to meet educational requirements for California CPA licensure.
All Graduate Business Program information is available online at mba.cpp.edu. If you prefer to speak to a representative, call (909) 869-2363.
