Professional Masters of Business Administration - Accelerated Track

Program Overview

The Professional MBA Accelerated Track at Saint Mary's is designed for individuals who possess a strong academic foundation in business or relevant professional experience, allowing them to complete their MBA in a condensed timeframe, often as quickly as 12 to 18 months. This track provides a rigorous and immersive learning experience, enabling students to quickly acquire advanced strategic business skills. The program maintains a flexible design, catering to working professionals through evening classes (often Monday through Thursday) and some hybrid elements, ensuring that students can balance their studies with their professional commitments while accelerating their path to leadership.

STEM-Designated: Yes, the Saint Mary's MBA program, including its Accelerated Track, is STEM-designated. This is a significant advantage, particularly for international students on F-1 visas, as it makes them eligible for the 24-month STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension. This means that eligible international graduates can gain up to 36 months of work authorization in the U.S. after completing their degree, substantially expanding their opportunities for professional experience in the American workforce. The STEM designation reflects the program's strong emphasis on analytics, quantitative methods, and technology-driven decision-making.

AACSB Accredited: Saint Mary's College of California's School of Economics and Business Administration, which offers the MBA programs, is proudly accredited by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). This is a premier global accreditation, earned by fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide, signifying the highest standard of quality in business education. AACSB accreditation assures students, employers, and the wider academic community of the program's rigor, relevance, and unwavering commitment to excellence, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the global business landscape.

Curriculum: The Accelerated Track curriculum is streamlined, often building upon a student's prior business education, allowing them to potentially waive foundational courses in areas like Accounting, Economics, and Quantitative Methods. The core curriculum then dives into essential business functions such as Operations Management, Organizational Behavior and Management, Managerial Finance, Marketing Management, International Business, Ethical and Social Aspects of Business, Leading Technology and Innovation, and Strategic Decision Making. Students typically select two concentration courses from areas like Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics, or Entrepreneurship, enabling them to specialize their expertise for specific career goals. The curriculum emphasizes an applied approach, fostering the development of real-world business strategies.

Research Focus: The Professional MBA program at Saint Mary's College, including the Accelerated Track, maintains an applied and practical research focus. While it does not typically require a traditional academic thesis, the coursework integrates rigorous examination of business theories with advanced analytical methodologies. Students are expected to apply quantitative methods for data-driven decision-making, engage in critical analysis of market dynamics, and investigate complex business challenges. The emphasis is on developing skills to understand, analyze, and make informed decisions on contemporary business issues, often through the use of case studies, simulations, and project-based learning that mimic real-world business scenarios.

Industry Engagement: Saint Mary's College is highly committed to industry engagement, a cornerstone of its Professional MBA program. The curriculum is continuously refined with input from an advisory board composed of seasoned industry experts and leaders from the dynamic Bay Area business landscape. Faculty members often bring extensive professional experience to the classroom, enriching learning with current industry insights and challenges. The program actively fosters networking opportunities with professors, alumni, and business partners, providing invaluable connections and exposure to leading companies. This strong integration with industry ensures graduates are equipped with practical skills and relevant knowledge, making them "ready now" for impactful roles.

Global Perspective: The Professional MBA program at Saint Mary's College inherently integrates a strong global perspective. Core curriculum components, such as "International Business" and "Doing Business in World Regions," directly address the complexities of global commerce, cross-cultural management, and international economic dynamics. The curriculum encourages students to consider global contexts, cultural nuances, and ethical implications when analyzing and making strategic business decisions. The diverse student body, including a notable international presence, further enriches classroom discussions with varied cultural and economic viewpoints, fostering a truly global learning environment. The STEM designation also provides a crucial advantage for international students, allowing them extended opportunities to gain professional experience in the U.S., thereby enhancing their global competitiveness and contributions to the international business community.