Frequently Asked Questions
MBA - Architectural Track and/or Landscape Architecture Track
- What is the Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business MBA - Architectural Management Track and Landscape Architecture Management Track?
- Why should I start to pursue an MBA during my fifth/final year in architecture?
- What makes this program unique?
- Do I need to be a current Cal Poly Architecture or Landscape Architecture student to apply to this program?
- Are there unique application and admission requirements associated with this early permission program?
- What is the difference between the Cal Poly Architectural Management or Landscape Architectural Management tracks and the MBA - General Management Specialization?
1. What is the Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business MBA - Architectural Management Track and Landscape Architecture Management Track?
This program is available only to those students who are enrolled in Cal Poly's Bachelor of Architecture program or Landscape Architecture program. During their fifth/final year of their architecture or landscape architecture programs, students having only their design work left to complete often have time slots in their schedules which would allow them to take significant coursework outside their program, and they can seek permission to informally enroll and start taking MBA courses in the OCOB. Their request to do so, along with all supporting application documents, must be submitted to the OCOB Graduate Programs Office well in advance of taking any such MBA courses (i.e., by June 1 before the beginning of their fifth/final year of undergraduate study). Permission to participate in these MBA courses is competitive and based upon the student's previous academic performance and GMAT results. Upon the completion of their BArch or BLA degree, students become formally eligible to apply and officially be admitted into the MBA program.
2. Why should I start to pursue an MBA during my fifth/final year in architecture?
Aside from the efficient use of time factor during the fifth/final year of studies noted above, it's simple -- today's marketplace is competitive and regardless of what type of architectural services you provide to clients, business is the glue that holds it all together and makes it work. Successfully providing architectural services, and career advancement within the architecture profession, requires business skills and knowledge in such areas as finance, accounting, marketing, law, economics, management, etc. This fusion between business and architecture is critical.
3. What makes this program unique?
Participation in this graduate program is permitted prior to the completion of the undergraduate architecture degree.
4. Do I need to be a current Cal Poly Architecture or Landscape Architecture student to apply to this program?
Yes. Applicants who have already completed their Architecture or Landscape Architecture degree, either from Cal Poly or from another university, are not eligible for this program; however, applicants who have already completed their Architecture or Landscape Architecture degree would be eligible to apply to the Cal Poly MBA - General Management Specialization, which may provide the flexibility to include graduate courses offered by both the Orfalea College of Business and the College of Architecture.
5. Are there unique application and admission requirements associated with this early permission program?
Yes. During the fifth/final year in their Architecture or Landscape Architecture programs, students informally apply to the Cal Poly OCOB MBA program. They do this by completing the paper application form available on the CSUMENTOR system and submitting it, along with an acceptable GMAT score, transcripts which reflect an acceptable GPA, two letters of recommendation, a supplemental application, and a comprehensive list of all remaining undergraduate courses directly to the Orfalea College of Business Graduate Programs office. This complete file of materials must be submitted by June 1 of the beginning of the fifth/final year of their undergraduate program. Provided all the necessary informal application materials are complete and the student has satisfied the requisite standards, the OCOB Graduate Programs Office can elect to issue a letter "promising to admit" the student into the MBA program once they finish their undergraduate degree.
At least two quarters before they are scheduled to complete their MBA program, students must formally apply to the MBA program using the CSUMENTOR system's online application form. Although students will have already submitted all other necessary materials, they will be required to complete the online application and pay the application fee.
6. What is the difference between the Cal Poly Architectural Management or Landscape Architectural Management tracks and the MBA - General Management Specialization?
These specially approved track options provide a mechanism for certain Cal Poly students to begin their MBA program before the completion of their undergraduate degree. In all other aspects, the program content is the same as the MBA General Management degree.