MBA Program Concentrations
Students pursuing the evening MBA with a concentration in accounting receive an AACSB-accredited education and develop in-demand skills essential for a successful accounting career. This concentration is ideal for students who have completed an undergraduate program in accounting and want to deepen their expertise in the field.
The accounting concentration supports students aiming to meet California's 150-hour requirement for CPA licensure, as well as those seeking to begin or advance in accounting-related roles.
To earn the concentration, students must successfully complete three elective courses (nine units) within the accounting curriculum. The program regularly updates and rotates accounting electives based on faculty expertise, student interest, and developments in the business environment. For current offerings, refer to the MBA course schedule.
Accounting Concentration Courses
| Course Name | Description |
|---|---|
|
ACC 5040: Data Analytics for Accounting (3 units) |
An introduction to data analysis using an analytic approach with accounting specific platforms. Focuses include extracting, transforming, and loading data; querying databases, visualizing data, and applying statistical concepts in accounting settings. Prerequisites: BUS 5040: Intro to Business Analytics and ACC 5110: Management Accounting (may be taken concurrently) |
| ACC 5140: Advanced Federal Income Tax (3 units) |
Advanced course in taxation with emphasis on corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts, gifts, international taxation problems, and tax administration and practice. Prerequisites: ACC 4140: Income Tax Accounting or consent of instructor. |
| ACC 5145: Business and Investment Tax Planning (3 units) |
A study of the tax factors related to business and investment decisions. The emphasis is on the role of tax planning in maximizing after-tax return. |
| ACC 5150: Federal Income Tax Research (3 units) |
Course will cover tax research methods and strategies, along with communication of tax research results. Students will learn how to find a satisfactory answer to a tax issue and how best to communicate results to a client. Prerequisites: ACC 4140: Income Tax Accounting or consent of instructor. |
| ACC 5175: Accounting for Governmental and Nonprofit Entities (3 units) |
Accounting and budgeting concepts, standards, and procedures for governmental and nonprofit entities. Prerequisites: ACC 3120: Intermediate Accounting II or consent of instructor. |
| ACC 5185: Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigations (3 units) |
Course will cover common fraud schemes committed by employees and officers of entities, and how to mitigate the risks of theft and embezzlement. Students will learn how to conduct a forensic accounting investigation to determine financial losses, and to testify in court as to their findings. Prerequisite: None |
To learn more, attend one of our weekly MBA Information Sessions!
Students pursuing the evening MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics gain hands-on, activity-based learning in a computer lab setting, typically during weekday evening classes from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This concentration equips students with the skills to gather, process, and analyze data to support strategic , data-driven decision-making, an increasingly vital function across all industries.
Students begin with Introduction to Business Analytics, which serves as a prerequisite for advanced analytics courses. To complete the concentration, students must successfully complete three analytic courses, including electives with applications in accounting, marketing, and operations. Introduction to Business Analytics is offered each fall, while the other courses are rotated based on faculty availability and student demand.
This is the only MBA concentration taught by faculty from all departments within the College of Business, providing students with a broad, interdisciplinary perspective on analytics. The curriculum emphasizes practical tools for managing big data, integrating analytics software, and interpreting results, skills highly sought after in today's job market. For course offerings, refer to the MBA course schedule.
Business Analytics Concentration Courses
| Course Name | Description |
|---|---|
|
BUS 5040: Introduction to Business Analytics (3 units) |
The course provides an introduction to data analytics for business professionals. The fundamental principles and techniques of data analytics learned in this course will help students understand the role of data in areas such as management, information systems, accounting, finance, marketing, operations, and human resources. Students will build a fundamental data literacy and develop analytic skills to make data-driven strategic decisions. Prerequisite: MATH 1610: Statistics for Decision Making |
| ACC 5040: Accounting Analytics (3 Units) | An introduction to data analysis using an analytic approach with accounting-specific platforms. Focuses include extracting, transforming, and loading data; querying databases, visualizing data, and applying statistical concepts in accounting settings. Prerequisites: BUS 5040: Introduction to Business Analytics and ACC 5110: Management Accounting (may also be taken concurrently) |
| MKT 5040: Marketing Analytics (3 Units) | The course teaches graduate business students how to specify marketing strategies based on rigorous analysis of firm/consumer data. Students learn the techniques used by marketers in practice. The course combines lectures, cases, and "hands-on" exercises with instructor guidance. The course covers marketing data management, pricing analysis, conjoint analysis, choice models, and market segmentation tools. Students also analyze and make a presentation of an assigned quantitative case study as a group. Prerequisites: BUS 5040: Introduction to Business Analytics |
|
OM 5040: Operations Analytics (3 Units) |
The course introduces statistical and probabilistic methods and theory. Topics include fundamental probability theory, statistical inference, and regression analysis. Prerequisites: BUS 5040: Introduction to Business Analytics |
To learn more, attend one of our weekly MBA Information Sessions!
Students pursuing the evening MBA with a concentration in finance receive an AACSB-accredited business education with a specialized focus on financial management. This concentration equips students with in-demand knowledge and skills in budgeting, investment strategies, and financial systems, preparing them for success in one of the most financially rewarding fields for MBA graduates.
The finance concentration is ideal for students with a strong interest in financial decision-making who want to enhance their career prospects and stand out in a competitive job market.
To earn the concentration, students must successfully complete three elective courses (nine units) within the finance curriculum. Finance electives are offered on a rotating basis, based on faculty expertise, student demand, and changes in the financial landscape. For current offerings, refer to the MBA course schedule.
Finance Concentration Courses
| Course Name | Description |
|---|---|
| FIN 5220: Security Analysis and Portfolio Management (3 units) | Advanced treatment of the analysis of securities and the theoretical and applied issues of portfolio management. Prerequisite: FIN 3220: Business Finance or equivalent |
| FIN 5250: Options, Futures, and Swap Contracts (3 units) | Upon successful completion of this course, the student will possess a working knowledge of applications and the pricing of options, futures, and swap contracts. Prerequisite: FIN 3220: Business Finance or equivalent |
| FIN 5330: International Financial Management (3 units) | Analysis of the international monetary and financial system and the financial management issues of corporations operating internationally. Prerequisite: FIN 3220: Business Finance or equivalent |
| FIN 5340: Financial Markets (3 units) | Analysis of the functioning and role of the financial markets. Topics include wholesale financial markets and retail financial markets, the role of the institutions, the supply-demand model of interest rates, and flow of funds analysis. Prerequisite: FIN 3220: Business Finance or equivalent. |
To learn more, attend one of our weekly MBA Information Sessions!
The General Track is a highly flexible option designed for students who want to customize their degree to align with their current roles or future career goals. This track allows students to choose any three elective courses from across the MBA concentration areas—Business Analytics, Finance, and Accounting—or from the general management electives. The increased versatility of this path makes it a popular choice among students seeking to build a well-rounded, interdisciplinary foundation and to broaden their expertise across multiple business functions. The General Track supports diverse career paths and leadership development.
To complete the General Track, students must select any three electives from the concentration course listings or from the General Track electives outlined below. For the most up-to-date course offerings, please refer to the MBA course schedule.
General Track Elective Courses
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| MGT 5100: Organizational & Administration Theory (3 units) |
Examination of development and current emphasis in organization theory from scientific management to existentialism. Focuses on the use of theory. |
| MGT 5150: Negotiations (3 units) |
Course provides a management perspective to the resolution of issues in organizations, between individuals and organizations with diverse interests and objectives. A wide range of negotiation and mediation techniques will be presented and discussed. Students will learn how to negotiate agreements that are mutually beneficial to themselves and the other party or stakeholder. Prerequisite: None |
|
MGT 5200: Seminar in Organizational Behavior (3 units) |
Study of human behavior in complex organizations. An emphasis on behavioral science theories and research methods and their contributions to selected topics such as: motivation, innovation, managing change, interpersonal conflict and communications, power, leadership, and job-related stress. Prerequisite: None |
| MGT 5400: Strategic Leadership in Organizations (3 units) |
An advanced management course covering the fundamental issues and the key theories associated with organizational leadership, from the perspective of middle and upper-level managers. Emphasis will be on application of both theories and best leader practices. The course will take an interactive, seminar approach based on a combination of lecture, discussion, case, and project work. Prerequisite: None |
| MGT 5610: Strategic Human Resource Management (3 units) |
How to make strategic HR management decisions. Covers a history of HR management; identification and analysis of strategic trends; HR systems design; financial acumen for HR professionals; mergers and acquisitions strategy; HR metrics, outcomes and ROI of HR; strategic impact of HR on organizational culture, diversity, ethical issues, leadership, and succession planning; managing workplace safety issues. Prerequisite: MGT 5310: Business Organization, Theory, & Behavior |
To learn more, attend one of our weekly MBA Information Sessions!
Updated: June 12, 2025