Expanding access to graduate programs in business
Approachable. Applicable. Adaptable.
In the College of Business, this simple yet poignant motto serves as a clarion call by which its leaders aim to serve all students. For graduate programs, it’s been a guiding principle in reimagining how teaching and learning at CSULB can address the needs and strengths of today’s students.
Through an array of program options — including online, weekend, and evening MBAs — the College of Business is expanding access for students to obtain advanced degrees, finding innovative solutions to grow our capacity for teaching more learners with ambitious educational goals but perhaps limited ancillary time for new academic pursuits.
At the same time, through a newly STEM-designated Master of Science in Financial Analytics program, the college’s leaders are diversifying its portfolio of curricular offerings, serving a new faction of students while remaining attuned to the workforce needs of our region.
Expanding opportunities for learning by removing barriers to higher education is a pillar of our Beach 2030 strategic plan. In 2019, in response to declining enrollment in its evening MBA program, the College of Business launched its MBA degree online — not knowing at the time how prescient the move would be, said Rod Smith, the college’s director of graduate programs. With less than 30 students enrolled in the inaugural fall 2019 cohort, the pandemic quickly accelerated interest: More than 70 students admitted in the second year and over 100 in the third. In the intervening years, the college focused on enhancing its online delivery, working with campus technology partners and an outside contractor to help better streamline the program for remote learners.
Also in 2019, the college launched its Master of Science in Finance program for students and professionals seeking to advance their knowledge of financial issues. Now this fall, the program is STEM-designated, reflecting the tech knowledge needed to prepare students to pursue certified financial analyst credentials.
This distinction is significant, and serves as an appealing program feature especially to international students, who can apply to work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduating from a STEM-designated program. Smith anticipates this will help boost enrollment in the program by at least 50%, and potentially double it.
Through these dynamic curricular offerings, the College of Business positions itself as a leader in enhancing access to its degree programs, expanding CSULB’s capacity to serve traditional and non-traditional students while contributing to the success of our region and beyond.
