Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 University Catalog 
    
2024-2025 University Catalog

Business Administration, M.B.A. and Latin American Studies, M.A.


B A: (Major Code: 05011) (Academic Plan Code: 992001MBMS), LATAM: (Major Code: 49061) (Academic Plan Code: 992001MBMS)

General Information

The Fowler College of Business and the Center for Latin American Studies offer a three-year concurrent program study leading to a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies. The primary objective of the concurrent program is to offer preparation in the fields of business administration and Latin American studies for the purpose of providing the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and engage in business relationships within a Latin American historical, cultural, and linguistic milieu, in Latin America or in the United States.

For information, contact the chair of the Latin American Studies Committee or the director of graduate programs in the  Fowler College of Business.

Admission to the Degree Curriculum

Since this program combines disparate disciplines, applicants are required to submit GMAT or GRE scores and should have substantial academic backgrounds in the humanities and social sciences. Applicants should also have a background in Spanish or Portuguese language and literature. Students in the concurrent degree program are expected to be full time so that all requirements will be satisfied in an acceptable time.

Advancement to Candidacy

All students must meet the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees . In addition, (1) the student must complete with a grade of B (3.0) or better, either SPAN 302  (or its equivalent) or Portuguese 401 (or its equivalent), or three units of 500-level or graduate coursework in Spanish, or pass the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) oral proficiency examination in either Spanish or Portuguese with a score of 2.0 or above; (2) all core courses in business and Latin American studies must be completed prior to advancement in any core course; (3) the student must have been recommended for advancement by the combined advisory committee; (4) the student must have a thesis proposal approved by the combined faculty advisory committee.

Upon advancement to candidacy, the student will enroll in B A 799A - Thesis . A thesis (Plan A) incorporating theory, method, and analytic techniques from both disciplines is the culminating experience for the concurrent program leading to the M.B.A. and M.A. degrees.

Specific Requirements


In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing and the basic requirements for the master’s degree as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees , the student must complete an officially approved course of study consisting of 61-71 units as outlined below.

The College Expects Students Entering


The college expects students entering the Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Latin American Studies to be proficient in several areas. These include proficiency in statistics, mathematical skills, basic economics and in the use of personal computers, including spreadsheets and word processing. The students are responsible for ensuring that they possess these skills before beginning the program.

Note


The requirement to complete individual foundations core courses B A 640 , B A 641 , B A 642  , B A 643 , B A 644 , B A 645  may be waived by the director of graduate business programs under special circumstances. Waivers are determined by evaluating prior course content, institution at which courses were taken, grades received, and time since courses were taken.

Note


Not more than 12 units outside the Fowler College of Business and not more than a total of six units in courses 780 (Field Studies in Business), 797 (Research), and 798 (Special Study), will be accepted toward the degree. Courses taken outside of the Fowler College of Business should be related to the M.B.A. program and must be approved by the director of graduate business programs.

The number of total units applicable to the MBA program (including B A 799A ) must be at least 36.

24 Units


Complete 24 units in courses of Latin American content, including the following required courses:

(6 units)

The Remaining 18 Units of Latin American Content Selected From the Following List of Courses


Note

* Acceptable when of relevant content; check with the Latin American Studies graduate adviser before enrolling. Students must apply to enroll under the provisions of the affiliation agreement with the California Western School of Law.

Complete a Culminating Experience


The thesis in business administration will treat a Latin American related topic and will be supervised by a business faculty with international business expertise and at least one faculty member from the Latin American studies program.

If a student after entering the concurrent MBA/MA program returns to a single degree program, all the requirements for the single degree program must be met.

The Student Must Complete


The student must complete MGT 797  (Research) or LATAM 797  (Research) in addition to B A 799A  (Thesis). The thesis in business administration will treat a Latin American related topic and will be supervised by a business faculty with international business expertise and at least one faculty member from the Latin American studies program.

California Western School of Law


Students may take two courses from California Western School of Law with the approval of the Latin American Studies graduate adviser. Students must apply to enroll under the provisions of the affiliation agreement with the California Western School of law.

Note


If a student after entering the concurrent MBA/MA program returns to a single degree program, all the requirements for the single degree program must be met.