Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: What Kind Of Master's Program Do You Offer? 
• A: We have an MBA (Masters in Business Administration). This is an Evening MBA program only with classes held once a night each week from 7:00 to 10:00 P.M. Classes are offered Monday through Thursday, with an exception of a few Saturday meetings for some classes. All courses are taught on-campus; there are no online classes.

• Q: Do You Have A Master's In Any Field Other Than Business Administration? 
• A: In addition to the MBA, we also offer the Graduate Certificate In Business Administration "Pre-MBA", Master of Science in Accountancy and the Master of Science in Taxation. Please contact our office for more information.

• Q: What Are The Applications Deadlines?
• A: We accept applications for the fall and spring semesters. Click here to view the university's academic calendar. Our fall application deadline is May 1st and the spring deadline is Oct 1st.

• Q: How long will it take to complete the CSUN MBA program? 
• A: This depends on the number of classes you may be required to take. The MBA program is made up of 33-36 units/11-12 classes if you have an undergraduate degree in Business and 48-51 units/16-17 classes if you do not have an undergraduate degree in Business. On average, students who enroll in 2 classes per semester, including summer, complete the program in 2.5 years.

• Q: Do You Offer Summer And Winter Classes?
• A: We offer few 600 level classes in the summer classes. We do not offer winter classes in the MBA program.

• Q: Do you require prerequisite courses for the MBA program?
• A: We do not require prerequisite courses to qualify for the MBA program. If you have a bachelor’s degree in Business from an accredited school, you do not have to take the Foundation courses. If you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than Business, you will be required to take the Foundation courses.

• Q: Who is eligible to apply?
• A: This graduate degree is designed for applicants with non-accounting undergraduate degree.  Other than the two pre-requisite accounting courses (introduction to financial accounting and introduction to managerial accounting), no other accounting or business background is required for admission.
• Q: Will the program prepare to sit for the CPA exam?
• A: The program is designed to enable students to satisfy the California CPA licensure requirements for accounting subjects, accounting study, and the mandatory 3 units of accounting ethics. Candidates need to independently satisfy the 24 semester units of business-related subjects and additional 7 units of ethics.
• Q: How long will the program take me to complete?
• A: Admitted students are able to complete the professional accountancy degree in one year (two summer terms, two semesters, and one winter term) full time or two years part time (four semesters, a winter term and two summer terms). Most of the courses are offered in an accelerated format (8-week modules).
• Q: Is work experience required for admission?
• A: While work experience is a valued consideration for the admission process, it is not a requirement for admission.
• Q: What are the admission requirements?
• A: Students will be admitted in the fall semester each year.
• Admission to this program is highly selective. Students will be admitted in the fall semester each year. Admission requirements are:
• Have a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution;
• Be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended;
• Have attained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 in all units attempted as an undergraduate. Applicants who have an overall GPA less than 3.2 must:
• Submit an official GMAT/GRE score report (taken within the past 5 years) with scores above the 50th percentile; and
• Obtain a cumulative GPA in the two introductory accounting pre-requisites (financial accounting and managerial accounting) of 3.5 or higher.
• Must have successfully completed introduction to financial accounting and introduction to managerial accounting from an accredited university with a b or higher. Both courses must be taken at any accredited institution of higher education.

• Q: What is the minimum GMAT/GRE score required for admission?
• A: Students who have an undergraduate cumulative GPA below 3.2 must submit an official GMAT/GRE score report (taken within the past 5 years) with scores above the 50th percentile in one or more sections of the exam.

• Q: What is the minimum TOEFL score required for admission?
• A: International applicants who do not have a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. university must demonstrate a minimum TOEFL paper-based score of 550, a minimum computer-based score of 213 or a minimum internet-based score of 79/80; or a minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or higher; or a minimum score of 58 with the Pearson's Test of English (PTE).

• Q: What does the admission committee look for in reviewing applicants?
• A: The admission committee consider a number of factors in making admission decisions, including undergraduate academic performance, strength of the recommendation letters, the GMAT/GRE (if applicable), TOEFL (if applicable), work experience, personal statement, assessed leadership potential, and potential contribution to the cohort classroom environment. Applicants with an academic background or work experience in information systems, finance, statistics, business, economics and related fields are particularly encouraged to apply.

• Q: What is the required academic background?
• A: This degree, which is offered by the David Nazarian College Of Business And Economics - one of the nation's largest business schools and AACSB accredited, is designed to provide a pathways for individuals with a bachelor's degree in a non-accounting discipline to pursue a graduate level education in accounting. 

• Q: What is the targeted student population?
• A: The program is offered to meet the needs of mid-career professionals who are hoping to enhance their credentials; those who are seeking a career change; or those who just graduated from college and are seeking a graduate degree in accounting that would prepare them to sit for the CPA exam.

• Q: What kind of career track does this degree prepare students to pursue?
• A: This program prepares students to join the public and private accounting field as advisers and consultants, as well as to become practitioners in both the private and public sectors. In addition, this 12-month (or 24 month) program provides the advanced knowledge and strong grounding in technical skills necessary for promotion to more senior positions in this complex, growing and rewarding field.

• Q: What are the salary levels in this profession?
• A: Given the ever-increasing complexity of the field of accountancy, a graduate degree in accounting offers individuals the opportunity to advance in the field and command higher levels of compensation. According to the Robert half 2017 salary guide, annual earnings of accounting practitioners in large public accounting firms range from $70,000 to $88,500 for individuals with one to three years of experience in audit. Individuals with a master's degree typically earn up to 10 percent more.

For a list of FAQs for the MST program, click here.