Frequently Asked Questions
MBA - Agribusiness
- What is the Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business MBA - Agribusiness Specialization and how does it differ from the General Management Specialization?
- What makes this program unique?
- Do I need prerequisite business and/or agribusiness courses, undergraduate degree or work experience to apply in order to be successful in the program?
- This specialization requires a summer internship; will I still be able to participate in the optional/elective summer short special session courses offered by the Orfalea College of Business?
1. What is the Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business MBA - Agribusiness Specialization and how does it differ from the General Management Specialization?
The MBA - Agribusiness Specialization, offered by the Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business (OCOB) in conjunction with the Agribusiness Department in the Cal Poly College of Agriculture, is designed for those interested in agribusiness management careers. Graduates will be prepared for careers in large farm and ranch management as well as for positions in supporting agribusiness industries such as commodity marketing, banking and appraisal, food processing, agricultural chemicals, and international trade. An integral part of this specialization is an internship. The type and scope of the internship experience is influenced by the student's employment background and objectives. In most cases the student spends one quarter, usually the summer quarter, working closely with a selected agribusiness firm. This experience provides a foundation for growth in management responsibilities and is an excellent credential for job placement. Agribusiness specialization courses emphasize the development of a wide range of managerial skills directly applicable to agribusiness enterprises.
The MBA - General Management Specialization is designed for those with a more general interest in business. For example, for those who are uncertain which business/industry they wish to work in, or, who might wish to one day work outside their chosen technical or agricultural field, this more generalized MBA can provide greater flexibility and broader opportunities.
2. What makes this program unique?
Designed as a joint program, it combines the strengths of the Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business with those of the Cal Poly College of Agriculture to provide a unique interdisciplinary experience which addresses those managerial issues and applications unique to the agribusiness firm and industry.
3. Do I need prerequisite business and/or agribusiness courses, undergraduate degree or work experience to apply in order to be successful in the program?
Not necessarily. The Cal Poly MBA - Agribusiness Specialization is specifically designed to provide the necessary business skills and develop the ability to make data-supported, ethical decisions. A full array of core courses and elective courses, along with a focus on our philosophy of "learn-by-doing", provide the essential business knowledge including a mix of valuable and challenging courses and experiences. Some students may be required to take, as a part of their program, additional agribusiness prerequisite courses to support success. These decisions are on a case-by-case basis and will require a review of each student's academic and professional accomplishments.
4. This specialization requires a summer internship; will I still be able to participate in the optional/elective summer short special session courses offered by the Orfalea College of Business?
Yes! The two elective/optional summer short special sessions will run the first few weeks before the beginning of the regular Fall quarter, and, roughly 2 ½ weeks after the June graduation. Thus, there will still be more than ample time for you to pursue an internship during the summer. Moreover, each of the elective four unit courses offered during these sessions (Commercial Development of Innovative Technologies; Effective Communication Skills for Managers; and the International Business Tour to China are intended to offer tremendous value to those that participate. For example, the tech commercialization course provides students with the conceptual frameworks and experiences necessary to understand the capabilities of a technological innovation and determine if a sustainable market opportunity exists for that innovation. The communication course builds upon the writing and speaking skills common to most undergraduate curricula, by providing additional concept and skill development specifically tailored to a managerial business environment. The China business study tour is designed to be a transformational personal and business experience for students integrating and applying what they studied and learned earlier in the program.