UCLA Anderson FEMBA Program: A Comprehensive Overview

The UCLA Anderson School of Management offers a range of MBA programs, each tailored to different career stages and goals. Among these, the Fully Employed MBA (FEMBA) program stands out as a flexible option designed for working professionals who seek to advance their careers while maintaining their current employment. This article provides a detailed overview of the UCLA Anderson FEMBA program, covering its structure, curriculum, benefits, and application process.

Introduction to UCLA Anderson School of Management

Located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, the UCLA Anderson School of Management was founded in 1935 and began offering the MBA degree in 1939. Los Angeles, known as the world's creative capital, boasts a thriving business culture, particularly in Silicon Beach, home to over 500 technology companies. UCLA provides a strong foundation for MBA students, given Los Angeles's significant presence in manufacturing, consulting, and finance.

UCLA Anderson's mission is defined by three core qualities: sharing success, thinking fearlessly, and driving change. The school emphasizes collaboration, encourages innovation, and equips students with the leadership skills needed to make a lasting impact. UCLA Anderson is renowned for its MBA programs, which focus on early specialization and hands-on experience. Many graduates pursue careers in technology, management consulting, and finance.

FEMBA Program Overview

The UCLA Fully Employed MBA (FEMBA) program is designed for professionals who want to pursue an MBA on a part-time basis. It allows students to advance in their current organizations or pursue other obligations while studying. The FEMBA program has been ranked among the top part-time MBA programs in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. The FEMBA program achieves the same goal - the UCLA Anderson MBA degree - while you stay working and earning income, whether you already live in LA, would like to relocate to LA, or remain where you are. FEMBA has been the #1 part-time MBA in SoCal for 28 years running, and a top 5 part-time MBA program in the nation for more than a decade.

Curriculum Structure

The FEMBA program requires students to complete 44 units of core courses and 36 units of elective courses over 27 months. The core courses are completed in the first half of the program, while the elective courses allow students to tailor their MBA education to their specific career goals. Elective courses let you customize almost 50% of your curriculum to reflect your career goals. Elective Course offerings and schedule options vary quarter to quarter and year to year. … Please be advised that Anderson courses vary from program to program and year to year.

Based on prior educational and work experience, you may decide that you would like the opportunity to waive out of the following required core courses. To waive out of a course, you can take an exam that will test your mastery of the skills required for that class. The exams may employ a combination of multiple choice, paragraph-style, short essay questions or case analysis. Students who are Certified Public Accounts (CPAs) must waive out of MGMT 403 Financial Accounting with proof of license.

Specializations

Students can choose a specialization in areas such as entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, tech management, and entertainment management. Each specialization requires students to select specific classes related to their chosen field. Graduates of specialized MBA programs in Strategy or Business Development can find rewarding careers in a wide range of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and consumer goods. Our curriculum is designed to lead you to create immediate career impact and provides the flexibility to customize the elective portion of the program to your specific career path.

Capstone Projects

The UCLA Anderson part-time MBA requires students to complete a capstone project, where they can apply the knowledge from their first two years of study to real-world business challenges. The capstone project offers students a wide variety of options to satisfy this requirement; whether working for a consulting or tech company or building an entirely new business. The capstone project is your opportunity to apply the tools in the program in a real-world business challenge.

Students are offered three different paths to fulfill this requirement: the Global Access Program (GAP), Business Creation Option (BCO), or Anderson Student Asset Management (ASAM).

Global Access Program (GAP): This program partners students in their last year of study with high-growth companies worldwide in a cross-cultural, market-entry consulting project. Students work in small teams and spend six months gaining consulting experience while traveling internationally and domestically to consult with company executives and attend industry conferences. At the end of this project, students will present a completed business plan to company executives, industry professionals, and potential investors. The Global Access Program provides an international experience consulting with companies from across the world.
Business Creation Option (BCO): This option allows students to work with their classmates to develop, plan, and launch their businesses. These projects span two academic quarters in the summer and fall. Students will have the opportunity to formulate strategies for the sales, marketing, operations, finance, accounting and management departments. Along with formulating strategies in the industry of their choosing, students will also develop and test hypotheses and conduct effective research that leads to a strategic business or implementation plan for your startup.
Anderson Student Asset Management (ASAM): This project allows students to manage an investment fund to pursue favorable risk-adjusted returns and work with student portfolio managers to maximize long-term success. The project allows students to benefit from the guidance from an advisor and oversight committee, [and] students determine an optimal mix of equity, fixed income and cash investments. This option requires students to meet in a weekly class on campus. It is worth noting that the workload for this program fluctuates over time as students rotate roles within their teams. Alternative Capstone Projects including Business Creation Capstone and Anderson Student Asset Management available.

Global Experience

The UCLA part-time MBA also allows students to gain global experience while completing their MBAs. Along with the option of the Global Access Program outlined above, students can also choose to participate in the Global Immersion Program or the International Exchange Program.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Global Immersion Program: This program allows students to choose various subjects before embarking on an international one-week trip. Students will learn from local business leaders, government officials, and professors at partner universities during this time abroad. They will also have the opportunity to visit historical and cultural sights during their visit!
International Exchange Program: This program lets students participate in a one-week program at a university abroad. The program’s purpose is to allow students [to] gain a closer understanding of the cultural and business customs of the host country while simultaneously expanding their networks.

Flexible Scheduling Options

The UCLA part-time MBA offers three flexible options for students to choose from to best plan their studies around their personal and professional lives. Students completing their core schedules can choose between attending all-day classes on Saturdays or weekly classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The third option is a hybrid model, which allows students to attend class four weekends (Saturday and Sunday classes) per quarter on campus while completing their courses online. These four on-campus visits require you attend a Saturday class format from 11am to 5:30pm with an hour and a half break starting at 12:30pm, and Sunday from 8am to 3pm with an hour long break at noon. The rest of the coursework for the FEMBA is done online in an asynchronous manner. The advantage here is that you do not need to be local to Los Angeles in order to attend UCLA Anderson School of Management. When students meet their course requirements and are ready to embark upon the elective portion of the program, they are offered even greater flexibility. Students can choose to complete their courses through the pathways mentioned and take daytime electives with full-time MBA students, any graduate-level electives, and global electives. On average, students complete their UCLA part-time MBA within 2.5 to 3 years. With these scheduling options, the UCLA part-time MBA program offers the flexibility that students need to complete their MBA at their own pace.

Curriculum Example

Managing and working with people, with emphasis on motivation and development of individuals, leadership and interpersonal relationships, and group dynamics in complex organizational settings. Topics include probabilities, random variables (expectation, variance, covariance, normal random variables), decision trees, estimation, hypothesis testing, and multiple regression models. Designed for graduate students. Analysis of consumer, producer, and market behavior. Market structure, pricing, and resource allocation. Designed for graduate students. Introduction to fundamental financial accounting methods and procedures, with emphasis on financial statements. Introduction to managerial finance. Introduction to human resource management function and management of human behavior in organizations. Emphasis on relationships among individuals, groups, and organizational units as they influence managerial process and development of prospective general managers. Evaluation and formulation of organization's overall policies and strategies. Provides practical tools to help students navigate difficult decisions that leaders routinely face. Comprehensive introduction to macroeconomics, with focus on real-world applications and implications. company with international project focus.

Class Profile

The UCLA MBA Part-Time program attracts over 850 fully employed students from diverse backgrounds, representing 44 nationalities. What's notable is that 21% of these individuals have advanced degrees, with 18 holding Ph.D.s and 7 having medical or legal backgrounds. Additionally, the program is proud to have 53 active-duty military members or veterans, highlighting its dedication to diversity and inclusion.

The professional diversity within the student body is equally impressive, with representatives from over 600 companies across 30+ industries. This broad spectrum of experience underscores the program's relevance across different sectors of the economy.

Over the past ten years, the program has seen a significant 54% increase in its student body, indicating its growing popularity and influence within the realm of business education.

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors

Benefits of the FEMBA Program

The UCLA part-time MBA can have a significant impact on graduates’ professional lives. In a recent survey, UCLA reported that graduates saw a 61 percent salary increase four months after graduating. Incoming students reported their wages for an average of around $95,208, whereas graduating students earned an average of approximately $156,834 four months post-grad and a signing bonus of roughly $35,584. UCLA part-time MBA students can undoubtedly reap the monetary rewards of their education in a reasonably short time after graduating.

The UCLA part-time MBA program also offers career coaching services. These services help students further their careers by offering coaching on effective career management strategies, developing necessary career skills, teaching interpersonal techniques through mock interviews, and providing strategies to help students leverage their MBA to advance their current roles. The UCLA part-time program can assist students looking to make a career change; eligible students may participate in on-campus recruiting programs run by big-name companies that seek out UCLA Anderson students. Some of these companies include Adobe, Google, The Walt Disney Company, Amazon, and more!

Along with these great program benefits, students become part of the Anderson Network, where alumni and students can search for jobs or connect with local and international alumni. This networking resource can be a great help to those seeking more professional connections.

One testimonial from Francisco Alejo, a senior consultant at Infosys Consulting, said that his classmates, faculty and alumni have helped broaden his global perspective. “I have had countless opportunities to learn about new industries, career paths and business models. I am truly amazed at all the alumni who come back to Anderson to stay connected and find new talent for their firms.”

“FEMBA impacted my career immediately. I became a Senior Architectural Associate halfway through the first year of the program.

Admission

Eligibility and Application Requirements

If you’ve decided that the UCLA part-time MBA is an excellent fit for you, you must fulfill all the requirements and apply. You will have to craft an online application and MBA profile outlining your professional and personal experiences. Although the competition level for the UCLA part-time MBA is not as fierce as some other programs, it will not serve you well to be complacent with your application. You will need to meet certain prerequisites to apply to UCLA:

An online application
Two mandatory essay responses
You can choose to write an additional essay to share more information with the admissions committee
A professional resume
University transcripts
GMAT, GRE, or EA scores
Two letters of recommendation
English Language Proficiency Examinations (TOEFL and IELTS) if you are a non-native English speaker
Application fee of $200
Based on how the above requirements are received, an interview with the admissions committee

We accept either e-transcripts (highly recommended) OR hard-copy (sealed) transcripts sent directly from your schools. Hard-copy transcripts can be sent to the address listed below.

Essay Prompts

You must complete two essays as part of your application. These essay questions may change over time, but examples of recent essay questions are as follows:

Tell us about yourself and what you will bring to the learning community at UCLA Anderson. (500 word maximum)
What are your short and long term career goals and what aspects of UCLA Anderson will support you in achieving those goals? (500 word maximum)

Optional Essay:

Should the Admissions Committee be aware of any additional circumstances in your profile?

Please address any of these scenarios if they apply to you:

If you will be commuting from out of the area or relocating, please explain your plans.
If you are not employed full-time, please explain your current employment situation and your career search plan to be employed by the beginning of the program.
If you are currently enrolled in another graduate program (including MBA), please clarify your status in the program (standing, % complete, etc.) and explain your reason for wanting to begin UCLA Anderson.
If your cumulative undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 or in a lower degree classification, please explain the circumstances around this.

Letters of Recommendation

You must provide two letters of recommendation. These should ideally be from your current managers or supervisors, but you may also ask a previous employer. Your UCLA Anderson Part Time MBA letters of recommendation should touch on the following topics:

A description of the recommender's interaction with you and their role in your organization.
How does the applicant’s work performance compare to others in the same or similar roles? What are the applicant’s strengths?
Describe what the most impactful constructive feedback you have given was about. How did the applicant respond to feedback?

On-Campus Interviews

After you submit your application within the timeframe of the round to which you are applying, you may be prompted to attend an optional interview at UCLA’s campus. Though it is optional, a face-to-face interview can allow the admissions committee to get to know you personally and increase your chances of admission. The part-time MBA at UCLA has an on-campus interview.

Tips for Getting Accepted

If the UCLA Part-Time MBA sounds like an exciting and perfect venture for you to take, there are numerous ways to significantly strengthen your application. Here are a few top tips to give yourself a greater chance of acceptance at UCLA:

Visit the campus and attend an event. Not only is visiting a prospective university choice an excellent way for you to gauge the school’s fit, but it’s also…

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate for the UCLA Part-Time MBA program is 38%. This means that out of all the applicants who applied to the program, approximately 38% were accepted.

Cost and Financial Aid

The Fully Employed MBA is an 82-unit degree program with fees are assessed on a per unit basis and payments are due before the start of each quarter. Advancing your career begins with financing your MBA. All UCLA Anderson students are assigned a budget for the total cost of the program which include program fees, living expenses, books and supplies, and more. 2Students pay program charges each quarter that covers all class enrollments. The annual UCLA FEMBA cost of attendance is around $43,940.

Fellowships

The UCLA Anderson FEMBA Dean’s Fellowship is awarded to new admits based on the strength of their admission applications and financial need (note: admits receiving 50% or more sponsorship are not eligible). The total fellowship award amounts are $15,000 or $30,000, disbursed in quarterly installments. Fellowship recipients will be notified of their award at the same time admission offers are released. Fellowship availability, eligibility, and awards are subject to change without notice. UCLA staff and faculty who enroll in the Fully Employed MBA program may be eligible for the UCLA Staff Fellowship. The total fellowship award amount is $30,000, disbursed in quarterly installments. Please contact FEMBA Admissions or Financial Aid for further eligibility requirements and more information. Fellowship recipients will be notified of their award at the same time admission offers are released. Fellowship availability, eligibility, and awards are subject to change without notice.

Loans and GI Bill

UCLA's Title IV School Code is 001315. Beginning in August of each year, the UCLA Central Financial Aid Office begins sending out electronic Financial Aid Notifications (e-FANs) which reflect your actual award. Federal direct loans are available to most student regardless of income. Private student loans have a range of interest rates and fees and students should determine the interest rate of and any fees associated with the private student loan before accepting the loan. The Post 9/11GI Bill®, also known as the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 made changes to the previous version of the GI Bill which provided educational benefits to active duty military members and veterans. The first step toward using your GI Bill benefits is to apply for them through the VA online or in person at a regional VA office. Submit all paperwork directly to the UCLA Veteran’s Office for processing.

FEMBA vs. EMBA

When considering the UCLA MBA options, it's crucial to understand the differences between the Executive MBA (EMBA) and the Fully Employed MBA (FEMBA) programs.

Executive MBA (EMBA):
- Targets experienced professionals (8+ years), often already in leadership roles.
- Weekend format for working professionals.
- Strong network of senior executives.
- Less emphasis on career switching, more on advancement.
- Higher cost but potentially stronger connections with decision-makers.
Fully Employed MBA (FEMBA):
- Designed for professionals with less experience (3-5 years typical).
- More flexible schedule options (evenings, weekends).
- Better career services support for job transitions.
- Stronger focus on career switching.
- More diverse age range and industries.

The key difference isn't just schedule but outcomes - EMBA typically advances you within your field while FEMBA gives more flexibility for changing direction.

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