Enrollment: 128
Average GMAT: 601.00
GMAT Range (25-75%): 500-770
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.40
School Type: Public
Average Age: 30.00
Student Faculty Ratio: 20:1

Part Time Program: Yes
Evening Program: Yes
Executive MBA Program Offered: Yes
Total Faculty: 17

Out-of-State Tuition: $14,170.00
In-State Tuition: $8,000.00

Best Business Schools

Students Say - Academics
The MBA program at California State Universityâ€"Fresno's Craig School of Business is designed with the working student in mind. All weekday classes here meet just once a week, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:45 P.M. Saturday morning classes (usually scheduled from 9:00 A.M. to 11:45 A.M.) are also available.

The Craig MBA consists of 11 classes and a final project. The curriculum commences with six core courses covering such fundamental areas as leadership, MIS, finance, accounting, marketing, and ethics. Students then complete three electives. Electives may be used to create a specialization in agribusiness, entrepreneurship, finance, human resource management, MIS, or marketing; or, students may choose to graduate with a General Management degree. The program concludes with a capstone class in Business Policy and Strategy and a culminating project or thesis.

Up to five introductory foundation courses that do not count toward the graduate degree may be required of some entering students. Students who have earned an undergraduate degree in business from an AACSB-accredited institution within the last seven years generally do not have to take these courses. Those not meeting these criteria may be able to place out of some or all of the introductory courses through examination.

Students identify entrepreneurship and courses dealing with globalization as the program's strengths. Those studying MIS, however, warn that "there currently are not enough professors to offer all of the courses, making it difficult to complete the degree." MBAs here appreciate the fact that the Craig School "has made a point to invest itself into the community for the sake of the community, as well as for the sake of the students. Fresno State feels like a hub of the community, and it's exciting to be affiliated with it." Professors here "are typically passionate about their subject matter, which leads to interesting classes, even when the material isn't what I'd like to be studying (accounting, for example)."

Students Say - Admissions
Admission to the Craig MBA program is determined primarily by the applicant's undergraduate grade point average (GPA) during the final two years of undergraduate work, and GMAT scores. The average admitted student arrives with a GPA of 3.4 and a GMAT score of 566. The quality of undergraduate institution and curriculum pursued are considered when evaluating GPA. Work experience, personal statement, and two letters of recommendation (from employers, professors, or professional peers) also figure into the admissions decision. Because the GMAT score is a major factor in admissions, the admissions office strongly encourages all candidates to prepare for the exam for at least six to eight weeks. International students must have a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) to be considered.

Students Say - Campus Life
It's all business (pun intended!) on the Craig MBA campus, as one student expresses: "Extracurricular activities coincide with class times," making participation difficult. While "there are a number of activities available for undergraduate students, it's hard to make these available for graduate students who are busy with work throughout the day."

However, the Craig school is in the process of upgrading its facilities, and many here believe that the "facilities will be amazing in a few years." The library is being remodeled and the university has recently opened a 15,000-seat entertainment and sports center (Savemart Center), the largest of those facilities in California's Central Valley. This venue is used for a variety of sports events ranging from basketball to ice hockey. It has also hosted musical, drama, and dance shows. Hopefully, this new recreation center will cater to graduate students' hectic schedules and provide them with multiple extracurricular options.

The Craig student body "represents a varied mix of industries, allowing for a ‘cross-section' view of industries in general" during class discussions and group projects. Many foreign students attend, and "though there are times when language barriers exist, our lives are expanded by their presence." MBAs here report that "although we are so different in terms of age, ethnic background, and work experience, we are all here, going through the same courses and moaning about the same tough professors. There's a feeling of ‘We're in this together.'"

Students Say - Careers
Career and placement services for Craig MBAs are limited. The school does not have a dedicated Career Services Office; rather, a single Career Services Office serves all undergraduate and graduate students at the university. The office provides a number of recruiting events and other support services, but few are designed to serve the unique needs of MBAs. An MBA Student Association offers additional services, organizing events that "connect MBA students with alumni, faculty, and local community, and business leaders" in order to "build a professional network and lay the foundation for friendships that will last a lifetime." Most Craig students are part-time students with full-time jobs (many attend at their employers' expense), and for them the dearth of career services is not a major drawback.

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