UCLA Anderson Part-Time MBA Program: A Comprehensive Guide

The Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), nestled in the Westwood neighborhood, offers a part-time MBA program, also known as the Fully Employed MBA (FEMBA). Ranked among the top part-time MBA programs in the United States by U.S. News, UCLA’s FEMBA program is designed for individuals seeking to advance their careers while maintaining full-time employment or managing other commitments.

About UCLA Anderson School of Management

UCLA Anderson's mission is built upon three core principles: "We share success, we think fearlessly, and we drive change." The school emphasizes collaboration, encouraging students to approach innovation with curiosity and a nonconformist philosophy to solve real-world problems. UCLA Anderson aims to equip students with the leadership skills and knowledge necessary to drive positive and lasting change.

UCLA Anderson is renowned for its MBA program, which focuses on early specialization and hands-on experience. Graduates often pursue careers in the technology, management consulting, and financial sectors.

UCLA Anderson offers three MBA programs:

Fully Employed MBA (FEMBA): The part-time MBA program with flexible scheduling options.
Full-Time MBA: A two-year program.
Executive MBA: A part-time program for senior or leadership positions, completed in 22 months with three scheduling options: bi-weekly Saturday and Sunday classes, monthly classes mixed with online learning, and a blended biweekly option with in-person instruction once a month and additional instruction biweekly via Zoom.

UCLA Part-Time MBA: An Overview

The UCLA part-time MBA program is tailored for students who are currently employed full-time. The program's flexible schedule allows students to balance their MBA studies with their professional and personal responsibilities.

Curriculum

The UCLA part-time MBA program spans 27 months. The curriculum includes 44 units of core courses in the first half, followed by 36 units of elective courses in the second half. These electives allow students to customize their MBA education to align with their career goals.

A differential calculus course is recommended prior to the start of MBA studies, as well as knowledge of statistics.

Specializations, Capstone Projects, and Global Experience

Students can specialize in areas such as entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, tech management, and entertainment management. Each specialization requires specific courses related to the chosen field.

The UCLA Anderson part-time MBA requires a capstone project, allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-world business challenges. Students can choose from the Global Access Program (GAP), Business Creation Option (BCO), or Anderson Student Asset Management (ASAM).

Global Access Program (GAP): This program partners students with high-growth companies worldwide for a market-entry consulting project. Students work in teams, gaining consulting experience while traveling internationally and domestically to consult with company executives and attend industry conferences.
Business Creation Option (BCO): This option allows students to develop, plan, and launch their own businesses. Students formulate strategies for sales, marketing, operations, finance, accounting, and management.
Anderson Student Asset Management (ASAM): This project allows students to manage an investment fund, pursuing favorable risk-adjusted returns and working with student portfolio managers to maximize long-term success, under the guidance of an advisor and oversight committee.

The UCLA part-time MBA program also offers opportunities for global experience through the Global Immersion Program or the International Exchange Program. The Global Immersion Program involves studying various subjects before embarking on a one-week international trip, learning from local business leaders, government officials, and professors at partner universities. The International Exchange Program allows students to participate in a one-week program at a university abroad, gaining a deeper understanding of the host country's cultural and business customs while expanding their networks.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Program Structure

The UCLA part-time MBA offers three flexible options:

All-day classes on Saturdays.
Weekly classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
A hybrid model with classes four weekends (Saturday and Sunday) per quarter on campus and online coursework.

Students can complete their courses through these pathways 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.

The hybrid format allows non-local students to attend UCLA Anderson School of Management, requiring on-campus visits four weekends per quarter.

UCLA MBA Part-Time Class Profile

The UCLA MBA Part-Time program draws over 850 fully employed students from diverse backgrounds, representing 44 nationalities. Twenty-one percent of these individuals have advanced degrees, including 18 Ph.D.s and 7 with medical or legal backgrounds. The program also has 53 active-duty military members or veterans. The student body represents over 600 companies across 30+ industries.

The program has experienced a 54% increase in its student body over the past ten years.

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors

UCLA Part-Time MBA Benefits

The UCLA part-time MBA can significantly impact graduates' professional lives. Graduates have reported a 61 percent salary increase four months after graduating. Incoming students reported average wages of around $95,208, while graduating students earned an average of approximately $156,834 four months post-grad and a signing bonus of roughly $35,584.

The program also offers career coaching services, providing guidance on career management strategies, developing career skills, teaching interpersonal techniques through mock interviews, and offering strategies to leverage the MBA for career advancement. Eligible students can participate in on-campus recruiting programs run by companies such as Adobe, Google, The Walt Disney Company, and Amazon.

Students also become part of the Anderson Network, connecting with alumni for job opportunities and professional connections.

Eligibility and How to Apply

To apply to the UCLA part-time MBA program, you must meet the following requirements:

A four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or its equivalent. International applicants with a three-year undergraduate degree may be admitted if their academic profile and overall application are strong enough.
A completed online application. Applications are completed and submitted online only.
Two mandatory essay responses.
An optional essay to share more information with the admissions committee.
A professional resume.
University transcripts. Upload a complete transcript and degree certificate or diploma in the native language of the country in which your degree was earned, as well as a certified translation in English. The degree certificate or diploma should show the exact degree received and date awarded. Your university will be evaluated in the context of your own country's school system.
GMAT, GRE, or EA scores (optional, but may strengthen your candidacy). Applicants are given the option to apply for the Full-Time MBA program without submitting a GMAT, GRE, or EA. If you choose not to submit a test score, you will need to adequately demonstrate how your academic and professional experiences have properly prepared you for the rigors of the program. You must submit an essay that provides evidence of your MBA readiness to support your case of applying without a test score. GMAT/GRE test date must be within five years of your application submission date.
Two letters of recommendation, preferably from a supervisory perspective. If you have been out of school for less than two years, you may include an academic recommendation in place of a work-related one. Ideally, an academic recommender should know you beyond the classroom through research, internships or other interactions. In your optional essay, you can explain your reasons for not including a letter of recommendation from your direct supervisor.
English Language Proficiency Examinations (TOEFL and IELTS) if you are a non-native English speaker. UCLA requires all graduate applicants to demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration. A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university located in the United States, or in another country where English is the sole language of instruction verified by the World Higher Education Database (WHED). If you did not receive your bachelor’s degree in an Anglophone country, or your university is not verified by the WHED as a university where English is the sole language of instruction, you must certify proficiency in English by taking either the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Almost all admits score over 100 on the TOEFL IBT, 610 on the TOEFL paper-based test, or 7.0 overall on the IELTS. residence and/or work experience are not substitutes for meeting the requirement.
Application fee of $200. Military applicants, current UCLA graduate students and SIEML program participants may request a waiver by uploading the requested documentation within the application.
An interview with the admissions committee (by invitation only).

Essay Responses

The application includes two required essays. Recent essay questions include:

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)

An optional essay allows applicants to address any additional circumstances in their profile, such as commuting plans, employment situation, enrollment in another graduate program, or a low undergraduate GPA.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation should describe the recommender's interaction with you, their role in your organization, your work performance compared to others in similar roles, your strengths, and constructive feedback they have given you.

On-Campus Interviews

After submitting the application, some applicants may be invited to attend an optional interview at UCLA’s campus.

Important Considerations

Authenticity is essential in your application essays. While AI can assist in refining essays, applicants must ensure their final work represents their originality and creativity. Applicants may use tools to edit and proof their essays for grammar, spelling, and clarity, but the content, ideas, and writing style must be their own. AI should not generate, rewrite, or significantly alter the essay’s substance.

At-home test-taking options are now available for some exams in select regions. We will accept most scores from at-home exams, and they will be evaluated in the same way as exams taken at test centers, except for the TOEFL TIP Plus Solution for China and the IELTS Indicator, which are currently under review by UCLA’s Graduate Division office.

UCLA Anderson does not grant admission deferrals, as admission offers are only valid for enrollment the same year. Applicants are notified on a continuous basis throughout each application period, so you are advised to apply for admission as early as possible. Historically, fewer applicants are admitted in the last round, which tends to be especially competitive. Candidates who are denied admission during one deadline period cannot reapply during another deadline period in the same academic year.

With the exception of applicants granted Round 2 deadline extensions in January 2023, we do not accept updates to the application once it has been submitted. If you must add information after your application has been submitted, we cannot guarantee that the late information will be considered before our decision is reached unless your application is moved to a later round.

UCLA requires all graduate applicants to demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration. residence and/or work experience are not substitutes for meeting the requirement.

Top Tips on How to Get Into UCLA’s Part-Time MBA Program

Visit the Campus and Attend an Event

Visiting the campus and attending an event can help you gauge the school’s fit.

Understand UCLA Anderson’s Values

You would be a good fit at Anderson if the business school’s personal values of “share success,” “think fearlessly,” and “drive change” resonate with you. Anderson believes in a value-based approach to leadership and a collective approach to success.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Fellowship support is available to exceptional admitted applicants. Approximately 40 percent of the incoming class received fellowships last year. Second-year students also are offered fellowships based on academic performance and leadership activities in the first year. Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant positions also can significantly supplement student budgets, along with student loans. A private loan through Eli Lilly Credit Union is available; no co-signer is required. Various outside aid is also available. All admitted students are automatically considered for fellowships. Domestic and international students pay the same program fees.

Visa Information for International Students

Almost all international students get an F-1 visa. Students sponsored by an organization or firm may get a J-1 visa instead.

Waitlist Information

It is normal in the admission process for some candidates to be placed on the waitlist. If your application status indicates that you have been placed on our waitlist, you will remain on the waitlist until a final decision is made on your application (or until you request that your application be withdrawn). Waitlisted candidates are reconsidered for admission on a regular basis as the emerging context of the new class becomes clearer. When each application round's decisions are released, applicants on the waitlist receive a status update too. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot give individualized feedback to waitlisted applicants. Waitlisted candidates may submit updates to their application anytime by filling out the Waitlist Interest Form.

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