Master of Business Management (MBM)

Students are admitted to and can start the master's in management program in any of the six sessions during the school year. The application deadline is approximately three weeks before the start of any session.

Admission Requirements—Domestic Applicants

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

Applicants must possess:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• A minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4-point scale. Applicants with a GPA of 2.5-2.99 will be considered for conditional admission.
• Potential for success in graduate management studies. Potential for success in graduate management studies is determined through an assessment of each student’s total qualifications, including rigor of undergraduate program, academic performance, and work experience.

Applicants must submit:

• Graduate application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study
  
  An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
• Application essay of 1-2 pages describing educational and professional goals
• Résumé or vitae of work experience

Admission Requirements—International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).

To apply for a graduate program at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above.

International applicants must also:

• Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Refer to APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more. Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services.
• Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
• Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information.
• Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. View our policy and a list of approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Additional Admission Information

Admissions policies are important because students in this program significantly shape the learning experience for themselves and others. As such, the ability of applicants to contribute to as well as benefit from the program is seriously considered. Admission is based upon a review of each applicant’s academic achievements, work experience, personal statement, and references. While the entirety of an applicant’s package is considered, accepted students generally fit into one of the following categories:

• Regular Program Acceptance: Students accepted into the program in this group typically have undergraduate GPAs of 3.0 or higher and solid work experience. Most students are admitted under this category.
• Conditional Program Acceptance: Students who are accepted into the program but have an undergraduate GPA of 2.5-2.99 will be admitted to the program conditionally. A limited number of applicants from this group are accepted into the program, and they should take special care in writing their personal statement. If admitted, provisional students must maintain a 3.0 or higher overall GPA in the first 12 units of coursework, with no course grade below a B-.

Conditional Admission

No GMAT or GRE score is required for the MBM. Conditional admits (those who have less than a 3.0 undergraduate GPA) may need to complete up to three prerequisite courses.

Many financial aid options are available to make your master's in management affordable.

Delivering high-quality graduate programs takes a comprehensive support system. Your investment in an advanced degree includes a complete network of student services and access to a community of faculty and staff who partner with you in your pursuit of higher education. Below is a detailed breakdown of the fees associated with benefits and services that may be included in your degree program.

School of Business and Management Fees

Leung School of Accounting

View a complete list of university fees.

Financial Aid

Several types of financial aid are available to graduate students. The resources range from federal loans and state grants to, for some graduate programs, fellowships and scholarships. For details about financial aid available for your program, please contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.

School of Business and Management Alumni Tuition Discounts

APU’s School of Business and Management offers an alumni tuition discount for APU alumni starting in the following graduate programs:

• Master of Arts in Leadership
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Business Management (MBM)
• Master of Science in Organizational Psychology

Students must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. Students must be enrolled at least half-time. If qualifications are met, the discount may be renewed each term. APU will pay $500 per term (up to $2,000 over the course of the program). This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid. Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

MOU Partner Tuition Discounts

The School of Business and Management offers a 15 percent tuition discount on the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Business Management (MBM) programs for employees, and their spouses and dependents (up to age 26), of the following organizations:

Students fill out the 2019-20 MOU Discount Form and provide proof of employment along with a form every year of enrollment. This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid. Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

Programs Requirements

Azusa Pacific’s Master of Business Management program is designed for working professionals, offering flexible scheduling and various modes of delivery (face to face and online) for a more convenient experience. All students begin their coursework with a foundation class in ethical leadership that provides the framework for looking at leadership through a Christian ethical perspective and sets the stage for the faith integration that takes place throughout the program. This master's in management program exposes students to realistic organizational management situations through service-learning projects for profit and not-for-profit companies in the local community. Students are able to put theory and methodology into practice as they collaborate to implement management and leadership principles in the modern workplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a semester?

School of Business and Management graduate programs run on 8-week terms.

How many units do I take each term?

Each student can complete this program at his or her preferred pace, so the number of units per term is up to you.

How many hours does each class session require?

Classes meet once a week for 4 hours and 5 minutes.

How many evenings per week do I attend classes?

Students generally attend class one to two nights per week, depending on the number of classes in which they are enrolled.

How soon can I finish this program?

This program can be completed in 1-5 years. Most students complete the program in 2.5 years.

Field Experience

Students may elect to complete an intensive field experience trip as part of their coursework. This provides students with opportunities for field case studies and experiential visits to observe and evaluate the inner workings, management, and operations of organizations and businesses in manufacturing, merchandizing, services, finance/investment industries, and/or government and nonprofit sectors of the economy. National and international field trip destinations vary each session and may include places in Asia, Africa, Europe, South and Central America, and North America.

At APU, we understand the challenges of earning your degree while juggling work, family, and other commitments. Our programs are designed to make attending Azusa Pacific simple so you can reach your education goals.

Flexible Format

The dynamic format of the online Master of Business Management offers students the flexibility of taking courses wherever and whenever is most convenient for them. Students benefit from courses designed to maximize their interaction with other students and professors, creating a rich learning community. For many, the online format is the easiest, most convenient way to balance work, school, and family.

Convenient Schedule

APU’s School of Business and Management operates on a year-round schedule, with each academic year divided into 8-week sessions (see the academic calendar for dates). Most students take one or two classes per session, completing their degree in 15-24 months. While students can choose to extend the length of their program past the average completion time by taking fewer units per term, the School of Business and Management requires completion of a graduate degree within five years of initial enrollment.

New students are accepted to the online option throughout the year. The application deadline is approximately four weeks before the start of any session. For more information or to get started, contact APU’s Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions at (626) 815-2020 or admissions@apu.edu.

Time Commitment

While your master's in management classes do not require you to be online during a specific timeframe, you should plan to be online 6-10 hours per week per unit to successfully complete assignments and participate in discussions.

Committed to Your Success

We want you to feel confident as you earn your degree online. That’s why all of our online programs include a two-week online orientation prior to the start of the first class; this offers you a chance to become familiar with the online format as you engage with helpful tutorials. Students also have access to the program coordinator to discuss scheduling classes. Academic advising provides an opportunity to continuously monitor your progress and individualize your programs of study. Keep in mind that all graduate students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the duration of the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need to be online for this program?

You must be online sufficiently throughout each week to participate in threaded discussions and to complete all assignments by their designated deadlines. However, there is no prescribed amount of time or designated time that you will be required to be online, because assignments and their deadlines will vary throughout each 8-week course.

Will I have to complete any part of the program at an APU campus location?

No. You can complete your master's in management degree entirely online. No campus visits or meetings are required.

How do I get started?

For more information on how to get started in an APU online graduate program, contact one of our admissions representatives in the Student Services Center at (626) 815-220 or at ssc@apu.edu.

How long is a term?

School of Business and Management graduate programs run on 8-week sessions. Two 8-week sessions comprise a term.

How many units do I take each term?

To be classified as a full-time graduate student, one must be enrolled in at least 9 total units over the span of a term (fall, spring, or summer). Within each term, online MBA students take courses during two 8-week sessions. For example, a full-time student may take 6 units during the 8-week Fall I session and 3 units during the 8-week Fall II session, for a total of 9 units.

How soon can I finish this program?

Most students complete the online MBM program in 15-24 months.

Azusa Pacific’s master’s in management students are able to tailor their program by choosing from among the following seven concentrations:

From ideas and inspiration through the feasibility-and-evaluation process, this concentration provides a framework for the application of practical business knowledge and tactics in transforming entrepreneurial vision into winning business strategies and thriving entrepreneurial ventures. Personal assessment and involvement exercises, team activities, new venture simulation, and case studies are utilized to provide knowledge and expertise as students analyze factors affecting consumer purchase decisions in the marketplace, apply behavioral and social science concepts, and study methods that organizations use for negotiating, marketing, and communicating with customers and prospects.

Government Financial Management

This concentration focuses on managing the finances of government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. Students learn about the unique challenges of managing government finances, including the need to balance competing priorities and the importance of transparency and accountability. Students also gain an understanding of the laws and regulations that govern government finances, such as the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB). Graduates of a government financial management concentration are well-prepared for careers in public finance, government accounting, and budget analysis.

Healthcare Management

This concentration is focuses on the unique challenges of managing healthcare organizations, including hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Students learn about the healthcare business, including healthcare operations management, healthcare marketing, and healthcare quality and safety. Graduates of the healthcare management concentration are well-equipped to take on leadership roles in healthcare organizations, including healthcare administrators, healthcare consultants, and healthcare policy analysts.

Human Resource Management

Personnel and human resource professionals, as well as managers and supervisors, have myriad responsibilities associated with hiring and firing, staying on top of evolving legal issues, preventing sexual harassment, understanding personnel law, keeping proper records, administering compensation and benefits, ensuring workplace safety, and much more. In this concentration, approved by the Society for Human Resource Management, students learn to integrate human resource strategies and practices and gain experience in designing strategies that result in value-added HR agendas and practices. Students acquire a comprehensive framework for effective HR strategic development, and tools for managing strategic change through the human resource function.

International Business

This concentration prepares students for the global marketplace, challenging them to understand the macroeconomic and microeconomic environments in which global businesses function. The international dimensions of managing in different cultures, marketing to different societies, dealing with the financial complications of multiple currencies, and making ethical decisions in diverse contexts are explored and developed. Students also acquire increased awareness through study-away opportunities.

Marketing

With the rise of social media and an increasing number of direct touch points with consumers, companies require marketing specialists with the skills to ensure that their organizations are cutting edge while maintaining high ethical standards to deliver a solid value proposition to customers and stakeholders. In this concentration, students learn about strategic marketing, which utilizes environmental turbulence levels, industry forces, and organizational change. Students also engage in hands-on research, planning, and analysis as they learn how to build market-centric organizations via digital marketing, integrated marketing communications, social media analytics, case study analysis, and decision making.

Organizational Development and Change

This concentration combines practical tools, best practices, powerful frameworks, and current research to teach students how to design and integrate strategies to solve existing workplace challenges and take advantage of potential opportunities. Students acquire a comprehensive framework for designing effective change systems, and learn multiple perspectives and strategies for successful change at the individual, group, and organizational levels. The curriculum introduces students to foundational terminology, theories, and methodologies following guidelines for professional competency development from the American Society for Training and Development and the International Society for Performance and Instruction.

Organizational Science

This concentration is one way the School of Business and Management (SBM) serves the unique education and training needs of professionals with specific career objectives not captured by any other concentration. Each student designs this concentration according to his or her interests and career goals, proposing specific SBM courses and select courses from other graduate programs within the APU community. All organizational science proposal forms must be submitted to the SBM Graduate Program Committee for review and approval prior to beginning the concentration.

Public Administration

This concentration focuses on the management and administration of public organizations, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and international organizations. Students learn about the unique challenges of managing public organizations, including budget constraints, political pressures, and the need to balance the interests of multiple stakeholders. They also gain an understanding of public policy analysis, the policy process, and economic development. Graduates of a public administration concentration are well-prepared for careers in government, non-profit management, and international development, as well as consulting and advocacy roles in the public sector.

Sport Management

This concentration equips managers and leaders to diagnose the organizational culture of various youth, collegiate, and professional sport and athletic enterprises and influence organizational development toward greater performance and productivity. Students learn to solve organizational problems and influence the actions of individuals, groups, and organizations from an ethical Christian perspective. The program also prepares students to be managers who understand how to best organize and motivate human capital, manage social networks and alliances, and execute strategic change in a rapidly changing, highly diversified field.

If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.

Contact Your Admissions Representative

Student Services Center

Contact (626) 812-3016 or admissions@apu.edu, and visit apu.edu/ssc for details on the admissions process, financial aid, and class registration.

International Services

International students should contact +1-626-812-3055 or international@apu.edu, and visit apu.edu/international/.

• Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).  
• The School of Business and Management receives accreditation from the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), and is a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).